Ed Stafford

Who had the biggest influence on your career & why?

Probably the biggest influence on my career and my life is my father; he's an inventor and a hard worker. It was his way of thinking and his work ethic that I feel every day. He made me want to discover things and that's the essence of what creativity is about.

What are you most proud of – your finest hour?

Career wise it would be the first “Gold” award I received for a creative piece I designed and illustrated for the Dallas Zoo.

What was your most embarrassing career moment?

Most embarrassing moment, that's easy! I was in the final presentation round to win the Del Taco restaurant account. We were the smallest of the eight agencies pitching the business and the field had been narrowed to two – the biggest and the smallest. I knew I had given a compelling presentation and felt really good as we left the room. As we walked to our cars I asked my account person how he felt things had gone, he said, “Great – except your fly was open the whole presentation!” I was mortified, but we got the business and I still check my zipper before any presentation.

What is your method for developing creative solutions for your clients?

Developing a creative solution is like a game of connect the dots. You gather all the pertinent information to the situation, prioritize the points to be communicated and a solution will begin to reveal itself. What makes the solution creative is the unique strokes that are used to connect, arrange and convey the message in a relevant and memorable way to the target audience.

In your opinion, what makes a great brand?

A great brand has all the attributes of a good friend, celebrity or someone you trust. It achieves a uniqueness that touches our collective consciousness in a very real, personal way.

What driving career goals are you still pursuing?

My career goals have changed very little. I still want to produce work that is forward thinking, creative, fulfilling, and my peers recognize as excellent. I am still pursuing the next Big Idea to make a measurable difference in my clients' businesses.

If you were marooned on a desert island, what would you miss most?

If I were marooned on a desert island, the thing I'd miss most (besides a means of escape) would be Leah, my wife, and my family and friends. Art and travel would be missed too!

What is your favorite sports team & why?

My favorite sports team would be the Jamaican Bobsled Team because they prove that with determination you can achieve your dreams.

Name your biggest frustration

Procrastination, particularly my own, is one of my biggest frustrations. I even have a word that I use to keep me on track…Finish-iative!

When you're not working, what do you do for fun?

I love to travel, sketch, take photographs, visit museums and galleries, dine with friends, garden, ride my bike and putter around in my studio and workshop.