Teaching them to solve problems by wrapping smart strategies in layered, provocative, and memorable ideas.
(Or, pushing students off a cliff is an addictive high.)

EDUCATOR

I started to experiment with teaching as a graduate assistant around 2012. It didn’t take long before I was hooked. Two years later, I was a full-fledged adjunct. By 2015, teaching had taken control and I was doing it full-time. In the Spring of 2017, I became the Director of Minerva, the Creative Advertising Specialization in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at The University of Alabama. I know I have a problem; I just don't know how to stop.

Student Portfolios

Student Advertising Awards*

178

Class Critiques

246

Student Campaigns

20723

Thumbnails Reviewed

*The breakdown: 1 Young Ones Bronze One Club Pencil / 2 Young Ones One Club Merit Awards / 4 Best of Show American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) / 5 Judge's Choice American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) / 1 Silver National American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) / 6 Gold District American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) / 5 Silver District American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) / 10 Gold Local American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) / 24 Silver Local American Advertising Awards (ADDYs)

Ad Hoc Extracurricular Activities
(or, Suits are for weddings & funurals)

CONSULTANT

Brainstorming

First, make a really big lake. The bigger, the better. Then, go fishing. The best fish are waiting down in the deep water. I promise this analogy makes sense. So does the one about raw chicken. Let me explain...

Creative Culture

Creativity and complex problem-solving is key to becoming and staying competitive—no matter the industry. So make it part of your corporate culture. Make creative thinking the standard rather than the exception.

Pitch Coaching

Pitch, please! This is not a presentation. It is not a sales call. It is not theatre. And, it is not easy. It is an opportunity to show—not say—you have, will find, or are the solution to a given problem.

Creative Direction

Leading teams in unearthing the insights that lead to human truths, that lead to bold ideas, that lead to memorable activations, that lead to engagements, that lead to this.

“Keynote speaker” is a bit too formal for me.
(Or, running my mouth used to get me into a lot of trouble when I was growing up. Sometimes, it still does.)

TALKER

I'm not very good at keeping my desk organized. I don't know the first thing about HV/AC repair. I'm awful with directions, terrible at math, and can't play the piano. That's why I don't stand on a stage and speak about those things.

“Pitch, please!”
You've got a lot of competition. Some of that competition has a bunch of great ideas, just like you. But having ideas is one thing and compelling others to believe in them is something very different. Once the dust settles, you want to be the one still standing. Let's talk about strategies and tips that can help improve your odds.

“Are you not entertained?!”
Transforming a clock-in-clock-out-just-go-through-the-motions culture into a energized mosh pit of thought-leadership and innovation requires an activated, top-down approach.

“Many times he provoked thought to a new line of thinking on projects, and his humor and comradeship is indispensable. I hope to work more with Mark in the future, and I can recommend him without hesitation.”

Bob O'Brien Senior Director of Innovation and Concepting, Prophet

“I am currently a copywriting intern at BBDO New York, but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Barry. And although he is highly qualified, and his dedication to teaching is clear, I also feel the need to say this: He didn’t just teach us how to create good work. He showed us how to be a good person.”

Larissa Magera Junior Copywriter, BBDO

“One of the most generous, kind, and real people you will ever get a chance to work with...”

Dave McKay Creative Director, SAP

Creative educator. Creative consultant. Creative talker.

Unabashed user of overused words like “creative.”

Teaching them to solve problems by wrapping smart strategies in layered, provocative, and memorable ideas.
(Or, pushing students off a cliff is an addictive high.)

EDUCATOR

Student Advertising Awards*

Class Critiques

Student Campaigns

Thumbnails Reviewed

Ad Hoc Extracurricular Activities
(or, Suits are for weddings & funurals)

CONSULTANT

Brainstorming

Creative Culture

Pitch Coaching

Creative Direction

“Keynote speaker” is a bit too formal for me.
(Or, running my mouth used to get me into a lot of trouble when I was growing up. Sometimes, it still does.)

TALKER

Partial Consulting & Speaking Client List

Let's start a conversation.

CONTACT

Office

Email

Creative educator. Creative consultant. Creative talker.

Unabashed user of overused words like “creative.”

Teaching them to solve problems by wrapping smart strategies in layered, provocative, and memorable ideas.(Or, pushing students off a cliff is an addictive high.)

EDUCATOR

Student Advertising Awards*

Class Critiques

Student Campaigns

Thumbnails Reviewed

Ad Hoc Extracurricular Activities(or, Suits are for weddings & funurals)

CONSULTANT

Brainstorming

Creative Culture

Pitch Coaching

Creative Direction

“Keynote speaker” is a bit too formal for me.(Or, running my mouth used to get me into a lot of trouble when I was growing up. Sometimes, it still does.)

TALKER

Partial Consulting & Speaking Client List

Let's start a conversation.

CONTACT

Office

Email

Teaching them to solve problems by wrapping smart strategies in layered, provocative, and memorable ideas.
(Or, pushing students off a cliff is an addictive high.)

Ad Hoc Extracurricular Activities
(or, Suits are for weddings & funurals)

“Keynote speaker” is a bit too formal for me.
(Or, running my mouth used to get me into a lot of trouble when I was growing up. Sometimes, it still does.)