Ad Chat - Arnie DiGeorge

In this weeks ad chat we catch up with Vegas-tripping Executive Creative Director of RR Partners, Arnie DiGeorge - who fesses up to leaving the iron on in his @arnied twitter bio. He's burning down the house.

What's your favorite funny story about yourself?
I won a contest singing the old Miller High Life song in college (When it's time to relax). I guess that was my start in advertising.

What piece of art (movie, book, music, painting, etc) has influenced you most? How or why?
My favorite movie is Dr. Strangelove. Sometimes I think advertising is strategic lunacy. And that movie is smart, strategic lunacy. One of my favorite quotes ever -- President Merkin Muffley: Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room.

Who was your favorite mentor and why?
I never really thought I had a mentor. Everyone I've every worked with has taught me something. Sometimes it's what not to do. I will say this... I always wanted to write like Woody Allen. But he has spent very little time with me over the years.

What's one thing that excites you about the future of advertising?
It isn't figured out. It's wide open. I see a lot of smart young people trying to get jobs in Social at agencies. Since it's new and most agencies aren't clear on what it takes yet, it's much harder to blow the interview.

If you could meet with anyone in history (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis for dinner, drinks and more drinks. Life isn't all about work. Some play is good.

What’s your favorite website/blog, and why?
I follow hundreds of blogs on my Google Reader so it is tough to pick one. Love https://grainedit.com because even though I am a writer, I love great design. I also spend a lot of time on https://www.theworldsbestever.com and https://www.selectism.com

What campaign or project are you most proud of?
Chinchilli Day, It's a cultural obligation and we blew things up.

Who is your advertising hero and why?
A smart client. Without a client who wants to do great work, you have no great work.

Tell us one of the things on your bucket list.
Wine Tours of Tuscany and France.

What piece of advice do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
Move out of your comfort zone at every opportunity.


Other Ad Chats:
Keith Ruggiero Synth loving composer and sound designer at "Sounds Red"
Jill Spradley Associate Creative Director at 160over90
Brian Bronaugh President at Mullen, Pittsburgh, PA
Bo Hellberg, Swedish ECD in France, at Brave and Billington Cartmell, Paris
Jane Goldman Creative Director/Copywriter & Strategist, Boston, MA
Jonah Otieno - Executive Creative Director 5ive Ltd, Nairobi
Anne-Cécile Tauleigne ECD at JWT Paris
Esther Clerehan, Headhunter, Sydney, Australia
Ad chat: Manuel Bordé Creative copy at BBDO Dubai
Rance Randle Art Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day\LA
Åsk 'Dabitch' Wäppling the force behind Adland
Dave Trott creative mischief chief
Arnie DiGeorge Executive Creative Director of RR Partners
Andy Kinsella Innovation Director at Glue Isobar
Koert Bakker Director of Strategy at Victor & Spoils
Evan Brown, Sr. Copywriter at TBWA\Chiat\Day
Dena Walker, Digital Strategist at Irish International in Dublin, Ireland
Bernie Watt, copywriter at Make, in Sydney, Australia
Ron Smrczek, Executive Creative Director of TAXI Europe
Vincent Vella, Creative Director - Grey Paris, Euro RSCG and Publicis.
Gideon Amichay, Creative Chairman of Shalmor Avnon Amichay Y&R Tel Aviv
Richard Tseng, Freelance Copywriter at CP+B
Claudiu Florea, Managing Partner - Wunderkid, Romania
Snorre Martinsen creative at Saatchi & Saatchi Oslo
Laura Jordan Bambach, Executive Creative Director LBi
Simon White Creative Lead from Rapp, London
Richard Gorodecky Executive Creative Director at Amsterdam Worldwide
Ray Page Creative Director at Tribal DDB
Adam Pierno of Off Madison Ave.
Edward Boches of Mullen
Dirk Singer of Rabbit, UK
Gareth Kay of Goodby, Silverstein and Partners
Tim Brunelle of Hello Viking
Rob Schwartz of TBWA\Chiat\Day
Super bowl ad chats

Super Bowl Ad Chat: Vinny Warren, on Wassup humor & preachy advertising
Ad Chat Super Bowl: John Kritch creator of "My Bold Dad" Toyota #SBads

Adland® is supported by your donations alone. You can help us out by buying us a Ko-Fi coffee.
Anonymous Adgrunt's picture
comment_node_story
Files must be less than 5 MB.
Allowed file types: jpg jpeg gif png wav avi mpeg mpg mov rm flv wmv 3gp mp4 m4v.