A CMO once kicked off a creative presentation by telling me he had an idea for an ad agency. It’s called “Wallpaper.” Because that’s what the majority of marketing is. Work that’s safe. Blends in. Mostly forgettable. Often invisible. With zero talk value. Then he asked to see the ideas we had brought him.

Hi, I’m Dave Metcalf

I don’t make Wallpaper

I make 50th Anniversary Hijackings. The World’s Slowest Pizza Delivery. Baby Making Stations. Glass Cleaner Trophies. Cover Crop Whiskey. The Campaign for Real Beauty. Hemingway in 15 Seconds. Michael Phelps Training for 2032. Neil Patrick Harris surviving the holidays. Sausage Scented Wrapping Paper. Mosquito Repelling Diapers. Vials of melted NHL Stanley Cup championship ice. And a way for heart transplant waiting list patients to get more hearts.

I am a former Executive Creative Director at the agency the original “Mad Man” founded

During my time at Ogilvy, I put my stamp on nearly all of the agency’s flagship accounts. Helping them grow, live their best lives, and win over many new fans. I’ve pitched and won numerous pieces of business, and have crafted award-winning campaigns for the likes of Dove, Jimmy Dean, Huggies, SC Johnson, Walgreens, Sargento and the Chicago Blackhawks. But Ogilvy hasn’t been my only home.

I’ve spent time at big global agencies with lots of letters in their name and small local agencies you’ve never heard of. In-house agencies, specialty agencies and creative-only agencies. One that even had a frog for a logo. But what I’ve learned is that it’s not just the name or critter on the door that matters. It’s all about the people you work with. And the more fun you’re having, the better the work is.

See my full resume at LinkedIn.