Houston Ford

Who had the biggest influence on your career & why?

Nancy Fareed, my account supervisor at Ogilvy & Mather. Still talk to her to this day. She taught me the significance of leadership, especially at a more senior account service level. She taught me how essential is it to help grow your teammates, and to learn from them. I still seek career advice from her!

What drove your decision to get into the marketing business?

That's easy. Working on my high school newspaper & yearbook. I loved selling ads. That lead to a great love for advertising. That was all it took. I was sixteen years old and have worked in advertising/marketing ever since.

What are you most proud of – your finest hour?

Professionally, I'd have to say it was winning a new business pitch and landing a multi-million dollar client, after a grilling six month review.

What was your most embarrassing career moment?

Good one: I was doing a presentation to Dell. I meant to say the word repository. But the word suppository came out. End of story.

Share a great client story.

Easy. Working on the premier data warehousing account and exceeding every goal they could throw our way. Whether it be responses, qualified leads or conversions, we were always ahead of plan, for over two years. To exceed client expectations gives me the warm fuzzies.

What attracted you to DMN3?

It was a natural fit; it just felt right. The people, the culture, the clients. And working in the energy sector is really where I wanted to be.

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

Avoiding as many non-productive meetings as possible.

In your opinion, what makes a great brand?

A great brand is built by its followers. Take Apple for example, which has a cult-like following. It's not created by advertising. It's created by the people who engage with the product.

What driving career goals are you still pursuing?

When I grow up I want to be a history professor and a full-time club DJ.

Name at least one talent that you wish you could master?

DJing. I'm a novice DJ right now; always working to improve my skills and enhance my music collection.

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

Definitely my iPhone and my iPad. Don't mess with Apple.

What food helps you think creatively?

Sweets. Bring 'em on. Anything with SUGAR. In fact, I'm eating two cookies as I type this now!

What is your favorite sports team & why?

Duh. The Texas Longhorns. Are there any other universities? Period.

Name your biggest frustration.

Myself. Sometimes I can be a meticulously, obsessed Virgo. Enough said.

Tell us about your pets.

Two big labs: Murphy & Nikki. One chocolate and one black. Two best friends a guy could have and the two best dogs in the world. I know…everyone says that.

Describe your childhood and include where you grew up.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas. Back when it was a tiny little town. I remember my mother taking my brother and me to the original Whole Foods on Lamar Blvd. She said we wouldn't go in with her because there were too many "hippies". Now I miss the whole hippie culture in Austin.

What is your all-time favorite TV program? (on-air or not)

Frasier. Hands down. Love the sarcasm and the wit.

What is your least favorite TV program?

I don't watch enough TV to answer that. I have ALL the Frasier episodes and literally that's ALL I watch on TV. Oh, well that and anything History Channel.

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

Anything related to college sports — especially Texas — and anything to do with water. Hey, I have two huge labs and they like to swim.

Name your three favorite websites.

Wsj.com for it's excellent editorial; ted.com because of the brilliant ideas you see and apple.com, because, well, it's Apple so it's brilliant and fun.