By Paul Little
If you have a degree in what field is it? I went to university for a couple of years. I spent most of the time talking with friends about current events—awesome debates I still remember—but, needless to say, you don’t graduate quickly doing that.
If you could choose one person to work with (outside your own agency), who would it be? I can’t pick just one. But I guess if I had to narrow it down, I’d choose Juan Cabral or Gerry Graf. Also, I’ve always admired everything I’ve ever read about Howard Gossage and Tim Delaney.
Who was the client for your first advertising project? It was for a laser eye clinic. The headline had the words, “laser” and “intergalactic weapon-of-choice” in it. I don’t think it sold a lot of eye surgery.
If you were to change professions, what would you choose to do? Man, so many options... Architect or photojournalist were careers I was always interested in, but I also still find myself drawn to the jobs I liked when I was twelve, so maybe a jet fighter pilot or a bulldozer operator.
What do you consider to be the greatest headline of all time? Aside from half a dozen amazing Economist lines, there is one line that always pops into my head. It was for the Nebraska Film Office a few years back: Over a photo of an elderly Nebraskan couple, the line reads, “We want you to film in Nebraska so badly, we’re even willing to let you capture our souls with your magic boxes.” Maybe not the greatest of all time but damn funny.
From where do your best ideas originate? I have no idea. I guess knowing a little bit about a lot of stuff and being curious about the world gives you a lot of thoughts and images to draw from.
How do you overcome a creative block? Well, I like to work, then take a break, then work, then take a break. Sometimes you can muscle through it by continuing to work but I'm a big believer in letting your subconscious do most of the work.
If you could choose any product to create an ad for, what would it be? I kinda have a thing for shoes, so adidas would be a dream assignment. I would also love to get my hands on PS3.
Do you have creative outlets other than advertising? Arts and crafts with my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. We made a frog out of a brown, paper bag the other day. That was fun.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? Living in Vancouver helps, but I never really used to balance it out—I love solving these tricky problems, so I actually like working a lot. It’s fun. But since the birth of my daughter, I’m very motivated to get out of the office. So, now I feel like I shortchange both work and home.
What product/gadget can you not live without? A good cup of coffee and the iFound! app.
What's your favorite quote? “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” —Gandhi
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Pick the place you want to work and the people you want to work with and then make it happen. You want to be surrounded by people you respect. This career is too short to work with people who aren't smart, talented and hilarious.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? Confidence can take you far.
If you could choose one person to work with (outside your own agency), who would it be? I can’t pick just one. But I guess if I had to narrow it down, I’d choose Juan Cabral or Gerry Graf. Also, I’ve always admired everything I’ve ever read about Howard Gossage and Tim Delaney.
Who was the client for your first advertising project? It was for a laser eye clinic. The headline had the words, “laser” and “intergalactic weapon-of-choice” in it. I don’t think it sold a lot of eye surgery.
If you were to change professions, what would you choose to do? Man, so many options... Architect or photojournalist were careers I was always interested in, but I also still find myself drawn to the jobs I liked when I was twelve, so maybe a jet fighter pilot or a bulldozer operator.
What do you consider to be the greatest headline of all time? Aside from half a dozen amazing Economist lines, there is one line that always pops into my head. It was for the Nebraska Film Office a few years back: Over a photo of an elderly Nebraskan couple, the line reads, “We want you to film in Nebraska so badly, we’re even willing to let you capture our souls with your magic boxes.” Maybe not the greatest of all time but damn funny.
From where do your best ideas originate? I have no idea. I guess knowing a little bit about a lot of stuff and being curious about the world gives you a lot of thoughts and images to draw from.
How do you overcome a creative block? Well, I like to work, then take a break, then work, then take a break. Sometimes you can muscle through it by continuing to work but I'm a big believer in letting your subconscious do most of the work.
If you could choose any product to create an ad for, what would it be? I kinda have a thing for shoes, so adidas would be a dream assignment. I would also love to get my hands on PS3.
Do you have creative outlets other than advertising? Arts and crafts with my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. We made a frog out of a brown, paper bag the other day. That was fun.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? Living in Vancouver helps, but I never really used to balance it out—I love solving these tricky problems, so I actually like working a lot. It’s fun. But since the birth of my daughter, I’m very motivated to get out of the office. So, now I feel like I shortchange both work and home.
What product/gadget can you not live without? A good cup of coffee and the iFound! app.
What's your favorite quote? “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” —Gandhi
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Pick the place you want to work and the people you want to work with and then make it happen. You want to be surrounded by people you respect. This career is too short to work with people who aren't smart, talented and hilarious.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? Confidence can take you far.
Paul Little joined TBWA\Vancouver as creative director in November 2006. Since that time, the agency has gone from a small, regional shop to having just been named one of the top creative agencies in Canada by its two national trade magazines. The agency has been recognized by the Clios, CA, D&AD and the One Show. They also just won Best of Show at the local Lotus Awards for the third year in a row. Prior to TBWA, Paul worked at DDB Vancouver where he won awards at Cannes, the One Show, the Clios and CA. Despite his awards, he's still most proud of his daughter Frances.
