The introduction...

Hello. My name is Jason McCormick.

I've been working in marketing for nearly six years. I came into the field largely blind to many of its finer points. In fact, I cringe now at the memory of my interview for a position at Educational Marketing Group, Inc. At the time, I was attempting to sell my skills solely as a copywriter, but I wasn't completely aware of what that might entail. I knew I could write, and I thought that would be enough. During the interview, the President of the company finally felt compelled to ask me "What would you say is the difference between marketing and advertising?"

I sat back comfortably in my chair and answered "spelling".

I, to say the least, was fortunate to have uttered many times that I was looking for an opportunity to learn, and I was given just that. I was taken on part time as a "Marketing Apprentice". I cleaned the coffee machines, answered phones, fixed printers, and I set about to learn everything I could about the field. Soon I was able to come on full-time, and as my experience grew, so did my responsibilities. My titles improved, until finally I got the nod as the assistant creative director.

It wasn't what one would call a meteoric rise, spanning nearly six years all said and done, but it was something that was well earned at every turn. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing colleges and universities across the nation, including Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, Indiana State University, Washington State University, and many others. In that time, I learned there was a tightrope to walk between being creative and having a strategy. I've acted as a director, producer, designer, strategist, writer, and advisor, and I've loved every minute of it.

If this is striking some as a different sort of blog, that's good. Not many people would attempt to promote themselves by listing such a start, but in my time at EMG I learned that promotions are best if they are honest. It's also important to keep in mind that what I write here is just my opinion and perspective. I'm never one to claim I'm correct all the time, but I believe the beauty is often in the effort.

It also helps self promotion if there are a few pretty things to ooh and ah at, and as time progresses, I'll toss a few of them in as well. Hopefully this will provide insight into a least one creative professional, and maybe cue a few brilliant thoughts now and again.

Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to drop a note.