7. Creative Adman: A Circus in His Past, Humor at His Side
Patrick Scullin
Patrick Scullin is an adman, “wordsmitty,” philosopher king, blogger, ex-circus advance man and almost-novelist.
Currently Executive Creative Director and managing partner for Ames Scullin O’Haire, he could easily add “humorist” to his bio. “Writers don’t make much money, but I discovered some ad writers do, if they’re good at it.”
How Did You Start Using Your Talents?
After college, he wrote mostly industrial advertising at an agency in Akron, Ohio, training his skills on rotary actuators, pigments and rubber. “People usually saw my talents as a humor writer, not necessarily an ad writer. Humor came in handy. “There’s only so much you can do creatively with rotary actuators.”
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
Feeling he needed life experiences, he says, he “ran away and joined the circus” as a marketing director—a fancy way of saying “advance man,” a sales job. Finding that too lonely an existence, he connected again with an ad agency. “Once I was around creative people, my talents blossomed.”
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
There’s only one rule of business: If you’re doing something other people put a value on, you’re safe. Find someone to write your checks and you’re in business. Along the way, invest time on your own, thinking, “What is it I want to do?” Find ways of letting your mind roam.
Top Tools on His Browser
TheLintScreen.com, his blog and creative outlet for fun, humor, reviews, mini-rants. 530 posts.
Connecting With Patrick Scullin
Website:
www.asoy.com
BLOGS
www.thelintscreen.com
www.empatheticadman.com
Twitter:
Guzelvis
Facebook:
patrick.scullin1
LinkedIn:
patrickscullin
