DH Employee Anniversary: Chad Martin

Chad Martin, VP, Associate Creative Director

Chad Martin, we are so happy you've chosen to stay at DH for the past 10 years! In that time you’ve expanded your artistic talents and have been the source of inspiration to so many people across our agency. We got better and continue to get better because of your creativity. Here’s to you!

Hear all about Chad’s experiences in his own words and don’t forget to say congrats!

Describe a time at DH when you?got better??What did you do? What did that unlock for you??

DH is a place where ideas grow and talent is fostered. It helped shape and mold me into someone who could comfortably generate 10 years of ideas and design solutions. And better than that even, help others do so as well. Seeing greatness made me great. Surrounding myself with people smarter than I am made me smarter. That’s what it is all about, learning and growth.

Many years ago I was creating a video using dynamic, bold typography. My manager printed out every frame and circled in red where I had kerning and typography issues. Once he did, it was quite clear that I was seeing the big picture but glossing over the details. I now place more attention to detail and am hyper-aware of kerning in my typography.

It’s moments like these, both big and small, that advance your thinking, elevate your view, and grow your capabilities.

Describe a time at DH when someone else made you better? What did they do? How did that impact you personally and professionally??

There are so many that have helped me along the way. But if there was one person I would single out, it would be Jeromie Misenheimer (EVP, Executive Creative Director at Digitas). Before I met him, I designed websites. He opened the door to a world of creative problem solving and omni-channel thinking. He is a CD with an art background, like me. And he is tough. Jeromie raises the bar so high, that when I did meet it, I felt a true sense of accomplishment. He was the guy that circled my kerning mistakes. But that made me hungry to be better.

Overall, he helped me create quality work and know what good looks like. And not by Pharma standards, but good anywhere standards. He led by example and stayed until the job got done. He never quit. He was also a good dad and was able to balance all his agency demands with having time for his family.

It is my experiences with Jeromie that formed my own management style, and I hope to gift others with that amazing feeling of accomplishment and see them rise like he did for me.

What is your favorite memory at DH??

There are so many over the past 10 years. From champaign-popping new business wins, to community service days, to an epic late-night karaoke-holiday-after-party. So many good times.

But my favorite memory? I was proud to have the opportunity to stand up in front of the entire agency with my partner and tell them all about the new TV spot I helped create for The Skin Cancer Foundation. It was such an interesting idea, a talking mirror that was looking for skin cancer on people at the beach. It felt like I was able to share our accomplishment and help inspire my friends and colleagues at DH. What a great feeling that was.

What advice would you have given yourself 5 years ago?

You can’t be an employee of any ad agency for 10 years without making a few mistakes. No one is perfect all the time. But when they happen, own it. Take it to heart and use it as an opportunity to grow and create contrast from who you were then, to who you have become now. By Internalizing your mistakes, you become stronger and more adaptable. All my experiences at DH have made me the more versatile, accomplished creative I am today. And all I have to say about that is, thank you DH.

?