My Life in Advertising

Getting Started
 


When I started in advertising in 1986, I had just completed a fun-filled, unprofitable 10 years on journalism. That is hardly unique. Journalists, with the exception of a few notable names, are paid less than school teachers, work ridiculous hours and burn out, move on, or both.

I chose both.

I spent the first couple of years in a small agency in Savannah, GA., learning how to write, mainly in print (in small markets, like Savannah, most of the television work is done "for free" by the local television stations, and, in most cases, the clients get exactly what they pay for: some of the most offensive television work is done by local television stations).

Some fun work in Savannah included):

  • Southeast Expeditions
  • Adventure Inn at Hilton Head
  • Dixie Crystals
Charlotte
 

I then moved to Charlotte, N.C., and started with Hamilton, Cleveland & Grey, a small agency specializing in collateral and print.

While in Charlotte, I developed the concept of QuickSugar for Dixie Crystals (though the account was transferred before we actually started doing any work on it). I also worked on Toray Industries, the developer of waterless printing; Gita Cycles; Kitchen Kapers, a large chain of kitchen stores in the Philadelphia area; Mercy Hospital; Dixon Ticonderoga, the pencil manufacturer; and others.

It was in Charlotte that I also started working with InterBev, Ltd., the trade show branch of the National Soft Drink Association, located in Washington, D.C. Since 1993 I have provided marketing and copywriting to InterBev, as well as developed the InterBev website in August of 1995. I've maintained that site since.

I also started working with Mike Wright at Coca-Cola USA during this period, although mainly in marketing.

Some fun work in Charlotte included:

Lately
 

I'm working on a dissertation.

But I'm maintaining my relationship with InterBev, and I've added the IUPAC website.

And then, there's Orion, an inspiration to help everyone in Kansas go online.

But I am working on my dissertation, okay?


Vitae Academic Professional Personal Home

Page Last Updated 9/4/99
Copyright 1999 Thomas Gould
If you encounter problems on this site, please contact me.