Mark Koelfgen

Before I was a Chief Creative Officer. Before I was even a slouchy, eye-rolling, flanel-wearing Junior Copywriter in Texas...

I was born in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. I was president of my debate team in high school. Predictably, these were lean years for dating.

The fanciful notions of youth compelled me to pack up my tapioca-yellow 1980 Ford Thunderbird. And head west. To Berkeley, California. Where I worked in mailrooms by day. And wrote trenchant, world-shattering poetry by night.

I was saved from a life of trite self-discovery by advertising. It’s hard not to feel lucky. Almost everyday I wake up and make something. Or try. Or better yet, get to help other people make something. A life spent creating is no small gift.

Creative direction, to me, is about plowing the road ahead so my team or department or agency can get where they want to go. It’s about putting yourself in the service of others. My style is more interactive than not. I like ad people.

I’m a masochist. So I love to pitch. Therapy has been unhelpful in this regard. I’ve won some big ones. And a few small ones I’m pretty proud of too.

I love travel. And will generally jump at any opportunity to get on a plane. Film. Photography. The Whitney. MoMA. Is eating a hobby? Ok, then eating.