NAME: Gary Keenan

COMPANY: New York City’s Mr. Wonderful (@mrwdesign)

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY?
Mr. Wonderful is a NYC based creative-production studio specializing in concept-driven motion design, branding and effects for television, film, interactive and environmental media.

WHAT’S YOUR JOB TITLE?
Creative Director

WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL?

It involves having a clear creative vision and being able to provide constructive, specific and intelligible feedback to my team so they can create their best work. Building strong client relationships, developing briefs and making presentations are also essential. The creative director is a manager, salesman, therapist and sometimes a creative.

WHAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE THE MOST ABOUT WHAT FALLS UNDER THAT TITLE?
Having the right mix of talent and interpersonal skills is a very difficult task, which is why good creative directors are hard to find – there are so few people who can both be creative and manage creative.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE?
Persuasion, it’s the most useful tool of all. Failing that, some Irish charm.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?
The variety of projects that come across my desk is what keeps the job interesting.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF THE DAY?
Miller Time. Sorry, working in advertising is bound to have its effects.

IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE THIS JOB, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING INSTEAD?
Oshiya. In Japan, oshiya are professionals that are hired to push people onto trains. I live in Manhattan and do it here everyday for free.

HOW EARLY ON DID YOU KNOW THIS WOULD BE YOUR PATH?
When I came to the realization that I was absolutely useless at everything else.

CAN YOU NAME SOME RECENT PROJECTS YOU HAVE WORKED ON?
The season launch promo and digital package forKeeping up With the Kardashians for E! and the identity for the new late night show Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.

WHAT IS THE PROJECT THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
Easy, Robert (13), Zach (10) and Marcus (4). It’s a work in progress but ultimately the most satisfying one.

NAME THREE PIECES OF TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT.
Electricity, the Internet and a pair of glasses.

DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK?
Yes. I like listening to different genres of music, and the genre I’m currently listening to is Stomp and Whittle. It’s like stomp and flutter, but with a more traditionalist bent. Those stomp and flutter guys just took it too far. My guess is you are now doing a Google search for Stomp and Whittle. Don’t. It’s absolute rubbish.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO DE-STRESS FROM IT ALL?
Turn off my phone.

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