When someone asks me what my favorite project is, I always say, "the next one." Because, to me, being a creative means innovation through the work. Make it wonderful. Make it relevant. Do it with the ideas, as well as the tools. Humans, technology, media, insights, creativity. They all fit together in a constantly-evolving, unsolvable puzzle that we should never stop trying to assemble. Test, learn, try again. But have fun. It’s only advertising.

I've been fortunate to do that for two decades, working with insanely talented people at big and small agencies. Today, I make my home at Saatchi & Saatchi, creating for Toyota's national brand. But be it global or niche brands, all the way from the tasty idea nugget to the algorithmic gremlins that optimize media: the modern ad is no mystery to me. Nostalgia be damned. We’ll drag advertising into the next era.

I was lucky, though. As a creative kid, while I had some great people to turn to, others may not. So, I pass it on. I’m trying to help early creatives learn all the things I wish I knew when I first started. From ideating and executing, to the finer details of building a portfolio and navigating an agency. Nothing's off limits. Especially those things you only learn once it's too late.

I make a mean Old Fashioned and play a passable guitar. Put some sandals on my feet and I'm ready for the road.