BLAKE EBEL

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
EURO RSCG
PORTFOLIO NIGHT 7 CHICAGO PARTICIPANT
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List three adjectives that describe the ultimate junior creative.

“Tenacious. Smart. Grounded.”

What was the reaction you got, the advice you received the very first time you showed your own book?

“‘You’re gonna do great! I love your work! You’ll have a job in no time!’ They were lying. If my book was so wonderful, why didn’t they give me a job? It took me a couple of months to re-do everything after a very honest and talented GCD tore my book apart. ”

What is the stupidest thing somebody has done to get you to see them or their work?

“A guy with the same last name as me built a family tree that showed that we were related. Creeped me out. I hired him anyway.”

Who was your biggest creative idol when you broke into the business? How did he or she influence you?

“My Dad, Bob Ebel, who was a GCD at JWT for eleven years, and is still a commercial director today. He taught me that the harder I work, the luckier I’ll get. He also taught me that if I focus on the big idea, all the day-to-day nonsense will take care of itself. Nineteen years later his advice is still valid. Thanks Dad. “

What will a creative director’s job be like ten years from now?

“Hopefully similar to our jobs today, solving our clients’ business problems. I can’t wait to see the new technologies and mediums we get to work with, though.”