Michael’s mantra when it comes to marketing? “Go big (idea), or go home.”
Michael started his career in advertising with a Podunk TV station in West Virginia - not only selling airtime, but writing, shooting, editing and doing the voiceover for the advertiser. After his humble beginnings, Michael joined creative powerhouse, DDB Worldwide, where he led the launch of the first wireless brand in the country – Cellular One. With his early expertise in wireless, Michael worked with many telecoms – Ameritech, US WEST, Southwestern Bell and ALLTEL - to build their brands and businesses as the industry exploded post deregulation.
Always ready for the next big thing, Michael started DDB Interactive in the Chicago office in 1996, building some of the first web presences for key agency clients Anheuser Busch, State Farm and McDonald’s. As SVP at DDB, Michael led the agency team on Dell, helping move the brand from the #4 to #1 spot in a year. His efforts also helped win agency responsibilities for Dell in Europe and South America.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Michael joined Smith Brothers in 2005 with a desire to help build an inspiring and independent idea agency. You could say he was ready for the next big thing.
Michael holds a BA in English from Union College.
