09
01
08

CEO TO CEO

Ad News

September - October 2008

"You have nice legs, Marc." What else can you say to a guy who comes to a breakfast interview wearing shorts and a short sleeve sport shirt?

"Thanks" is all he says.

This is Marc Brownstein, CEO of the Brownstein Group and he seems like the kind of guy who can be described as "....what you see is what you get." He's only 48, he's successful and he has always known that the agency business was where he wanted to be.

At the age of thirteen, he wrote his first copy line, which was used by a client of his Father's creative boutique agency, which was founded in Philly in 1964. The client was an upstart sandwich chain, called The Chuck Wagon, and the copy line was Cheap Thrills! 99 cent Hoagies, a billboard.

But I'm ahead of myself.

First, the statistics, the basic information that must be part of a piece like this. Marc was a child in Cheltenham, went through the public school system there, went to Penn State University and started his career in New York City. Today, he leads a successful 65-person agency, lives in a big house in Gladwyne and is full of pride about his wife, Amy, and their three kids - Sophie, James and Molly, nineteen, seventeen and twelve, respectively. "My kids are great and Amy's a great partner."

For emphasis, he's proud of that family of his, just as he's proud of his Mother and Father who have mentored and supported him every step along his odyssey. According to Marc, "I am a hybrid. I have my Father's creative genes, combined with my Mother's business skills." Mom Beverly must be a very bright, tuned-in business head because son Marc is building a fine, profitable operation. Creative Dad, Berny, is no slouch either. He started the agency back in 1964, and ran it quite successfully for 25 years until Marc took over leadership. Marc says, "Dad and I share the same values. Not to say that Mom doesn't. He and I almost always like the same creative concepts ...but Berny has always been great about letting me have my way when we differ."

Berny still comes to the office almost every day and is still mentoring. Marc gives him credit for being the "conscience of the agency" and for "reinforcing the culture." Not a bad thing when the plan is to be 100 strong in 24 months. "I think I've been able to avoid a lot of errors along the way because I've had Dad to speak with and to help me plan."

After a busy high school experience where he did a lot of things but really wished he could play hockey every day, he matriculated to Penn State's main campus and started taking a lot of courses related to advertising. That was what he always wanted to do so why not? At the same time, he was a busy and active participant in college activities. He worked hard on concert committees, on the Inter-Fraternity Council and on a bunch of other extra curricular tasks but "It always seemed that when I wasn't in class, I was at The Daily Collegian." That's Penn State's daily newspaper where Marc was the Business Manager - a good, practical start for a career involving both the sale of advertising and the creation of it. He also helped launch an alumni publication which is still thriving. For him, both leadership and competition were important and useful at Penn State. And they still are. "I hate to lose. I just hate it." He retains his interest there as an Advisory Board Member of the College of Communications. While a student, Marc was also inducted into Lion's Paw and Skull & Bones, two leadership honor societies. Recently, he was elected to Lion's Paw's Executive Board. He received his diploma in 1981.

First job out of college? At Doremus & Company/BBDO in New York working on some prestigious accounts like Forbes Magazine and Dean Witter. "I was only there for 18 months, but I actually got some campaigns produced." His dream was to be part of one of the hot, New York shops so he was persistent. No surprise. "I kept sending my portfolio to Ogilvy & Mather and it finally worked. They hired me." In six years there, he had opportunities to create many national campaigns. In his mind, the most exciting were for American Express and Sports Illustrated.

Back to Philly in 1989 as Creative Director of Brownstein Advertising, Berny's business. Marc was the 15th employee. "Neither of my siblings ever wanted to be in Dad's field but I always did." Starting then, the agency's thrust changed. Berny's vision may have been fulfilled as a small, creative, boutique shop. Even then, Marc probably had his eye on the 100 employees mentioned above.

Why do you want to have 100 people, Marc?

Without hesitation, four assertions pour forth. It's almost breathtaking. "I'm addicted to growth. I'm competitive and can't stand staying still. I love the thrill of growing. Everyone succeeds when you grow."

When he says it, you believe it. You feel like signing up to be the 66th on the way to 100. Then, you wonder why he thinks all of this can happen and he tells you - again, with enthusiasm and conviction. He says he tries hard to hire good people and is usually successful at it. You believe him. He says that he likes to motivate people and thinks he's fairly good at it. You feel it. He says that he's a "connector" and sets high standards. You don't doubt it. Onward to number 100.

Meanwhile, back at home in Gladwyne, what's fun? "Amy and I workout together, travel together and love our kids together. We bike a lot. We read a lot. I also play golf and wish I had time to bring down my handicap! Coaching my kids in hockey and basketball is something I'm passionate about."

Last question, Marc. If you could do anything relating to business without concerns for profits or available time, what would you do?

"I'd know how to get and keep accounts on a larger scale for the agency and for the agency community in Philadelphia. I'd extend our strategy to a broader range. I'd try hard to gear up so that we could be a global presence. It's possible, you know. That's one of the reasons I stay involved in the regional AAAA's, and write a weekly blog on AdAge.com."

Yup. He's right. It is possible. Anything is, if it's the vision of an energetic, determined leader. I wouldn't be surprised if we have one of those right here in the Philadelphia ad community. And his name might be Marc Brownstein.

Ad News

September - October 2008

"You have nice legs, Marc." What else can you say to a guy who comes to a breakfast interview wearing shorts and a short sleeve sport shirt?

"Thanks" is all he says.

This is Marc Brownstein, CEO of the Brownstein Group and he seems like the kind of guy who can be described as "....what you see is what you get." He's only 48, he's successful and he has always known that the agency business was where he wanted to be.

At the age of thirteen, he wrote his first copy line, which was used by a client of his Father's creative boutique agency, which was founded in Philly in 1964. The client was an upstart sandwich chain, called The Chuck Wagon, and the copy line was Cheap Thrills! 99 cent Hoagies, a billboard.

But I'm ahead of myself.

First, the statistics, the basic information that must be part of a piece like this. Marc was a child in Cheltenham, went through the public school system there, went to Penn State University and started his career in New York City. Today, he leads a successful 65-person agency, lives in a big house in Gladwyne and is full of pride about his wife, Amy, and their three kids - Sophie, James and Molly, nineteen, seventeen and twelve, respectively. "My kids are great and Amy's a great partner."

For emphasis, he's proud of that family of his, just as he's proud of his Mother and Father who have mentored and supported him every step along his odyssey. According to Marc, "I am a hybrid. I have my Father's creative genes, combined with my Mother's business skills." Mom Beverly must be a very bright, tuned-in business head because son Marc is building a fine, profitable operation. Creative Dad, Berny, is no slouch either. He started the agency back in 1964, and ran it quite successfully for 25 years until Marc took over leadership. Marc says, "Dad and I share the same values. Not to say that Mom doesn't. He and I almost always like the same creative concepts ...but Berny has always been great about letting me have my way when we differ."

Berny still comes to the office almost every day and is still mentoring. Marc gives him credit for being the "conscience of the agency" and for "reinforcing the culture." Not a bad thing when the plan is to be 100 strong in 24 months. "I think I've been able to avoid a lot of errors along the way because I've had Dad to speak with and to help me plan."

After a busy high school experience where he did a lot of things but really wished he could play hockey every day, he matriculated to Penn State's main campus and started taking a lot of courses related to advertising. That was what he always wanted to do so why not? At the same time, he was a busy and active participant in college activities. He worked hard on concert committees, on the Inter-Fraternity Council and on a bunch of other extra curricular tasks but "It always seemed that when I wasn't in class, I was at The Daily Collegian." That's Penn State's daily newspaper where Marc was the Business Manager - a good, practical start for a career involving both the sale of advertising and the creation of it. He also helped launch an alumni publication which is still thriving. For him, both leadership and competition were important and useful at Penn State. And they still are. "I hate to lose. I just hate it." He retains his interest there as an Advisory Board Member of the College of Communications. While a student, Marc was also inducted into Lion's Paw and Skull & Bones, two leadership honor societies. Recently, he was elected to Lion's Paw's Executive Board. He received his diploma in 1981.

First job out of college? At Doremus & Company/BBDO in New York working on some prestigious accounts like Forbes Magazine and Dean Witter. "I was only there for 18 months, but I actually got some campaigns produced." His dream was to be part of one of the hot, New York shops so he was persistent. No surprise. "I kept sending my portfolio to Ogilvy & Mather and it finally worked. They hired me." In six years there, he had opportunities to create many national campaigns. In his mind, the most exciting were for American Express and Sports Illustrated.

Back to Philly in 1989 as Creative Director of Brownstein Advertising, Berny's business. Marc was the 15th employee. "Neither of my siblings ever wanted to be in Dad's field but I always did." Starting then, the agency's thrust changed. Berny's vision may have been fulfilled as a small, creative, boutique shop. Even then, Marc probably had his eye on the 100 employees mentioned above.

Why do you want to have 100 people, Marc?

Without hesitation, four assertions pour forth. It's almost breathtaking. "I'm addicted to growth. I'm competitive and can't stand staying still. I love the thrill of growing. Everyone succeeds when you grow."

When he says it, you believe it. You feel like signing up to be the 66th on the way to 100. Then, you wonder why he thinks all of this can happen and he tells you - again, with enthusiasm and conviction. He says he tries hard to hire good people and is usually successful at it. You believe him. He says that he likes to motivate people and thinks he's fairly good at it. You feel it. He says that he's a "connector" and sets high standards. You don't doubt it. Onward to number 100.

Meanwhile, back at home in Gladwyne, what's fun? "Amy and I workout together, travel together and love our kids together. We bike a lot. We read a lot. I also play golf and wish I had time to bring down my handicap! Coaching my kids in hockey and basketball is something I'm passionate about."

Last question, Marc. If you could do anything relating to business without concerns for profits or available time, what would you do?

"I'd know how to get and keep accounts on a larger scale for the agency and for the agency community in Philadelphia. I'd extend our strategy to a broader range. I'd try hard to gear up so that we could be a global presence. It's possible, you know. That's one of the reasons I stay involved in the regional AAAA's, and write a weekly blog on AdAge.com."

Yup. He's right. It is possible. Anything is, if it's the vision of an energetic, determined leader. I wouldn't be surprised if we have one of those right here in the Philadelphia ad community. And his name might be Marc Brownstein.