Matt Walker

Matt is a veteran creative director, team builder, client whisperer, ad-hoc planner, and copywriter with 23 years of experience. He has won numerous industry awards, been published by the likes of ADWEEK and Forbes, and has been a featured speaker at VCU Brandcenter, the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, and lockdown webinars with NBC and the ANA. He is a steadfast believer in the power of purpose and he walks through walls for his people.

Wanted to become a Screenwriter. Didn't want to become a waiter who writes screenplays. Found advertising! Started as a copywriter. Worked my way up to executive creative director. A good of my career has been spent at one agency: WHITE64. It was my second home. Then that second home was acquired. Things change. And it's damn good they do.

The Advertising program at the University of Oregon. I was incredibly fortunate to have learned from remarkable professors and a few industry stars. Most notably, Mr. Dan Wieden. I was accepted into his spring seminar. This one focused on OOH advertising. I will never forget these words from Dan:

When I turn on the TV, I expect to see ads. When I read a magazine, I expect to see ads. When I take a walk … I should not expect to encounter advertising of any kind. I'm just out in the world taking my walk. So, if I do encounter an ad while I'm out there, it better be a really fucking good ad. In fact, it ought to enhance my walking experience. If not, I won't just ignore the ad, I'll wind up resenting the brand.

That was taken to heart and applied to everything I do. Not just out-of-home. EVERYTHING.