Check Out Gil Templeton’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gil Templeton

Hi Gil, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got to be a creative director by a few lucky bounces and an innate need to create stuff. I’ve always played music, written, cooked (which I see as a creative process as well), and luckily I’ve found a lane where I can routinely scratch that creative itch. I feel like getting into advertising was through a series of elimination — in college I knew what I didn’t want to do more than I knew what to do. Then I realized I could put my creative writing to use as a copywriter seemed like a good match, and it’s been a fun ride making the jump from copywriter to creative director. It’s one of those cases where you know you’ve chosen the right path, which I find fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Luckily I’ve had some great mentors and teachers and coworkers along the way who have been patient with me and helped me tremendously. In advertising, there are always things you can’t see lurking around the next corner. I’ve run into my fair share of tough meetings and unruly production sets, but I try to keep a positive attitude and keep things in perspective.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a creative director (by way of copywriter) and I think what separates me is that I’m not afraid to have a style. In advertising, it seems like lots of people want to sell themselves as a chameleon who can seamlessly switch from one client or project or look or tone to the next without any trouble. While it’s good to have range, it’s also good to have a style. For my style, I lean into humor, wit, and relatability. I’m probably not the guy who is going to make a TV ad that makes you cry, but I might make an ad that makes you laugh — or at least rewards you for paying attention to a damn ad.

I’m most proud of the work my team has been able to do over the last year or so. We’ve been able to do projects for dozens of clients who need help finding their brand’s special sauce. We’ve been able to help them see what’s been right in front of them the whole time, and we put a spin on it that makes it relevant and interesting to their audience. Our agency, BrandBossHQ, is a small but incredibly mighty creative force, and I’m happy I have been able to play a role in that.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
In almost any creative endeavor, especially advertising, it is ALL about quantity over quality, at least when you start out. Write me 100 headlines, and I bet you’ll have a couple good ones in there. Write me 10, and you might not have anything yet. You have to be able to focus and love the craft, especially in a day when emails and phone notifications and other distractions are vying for your attention.

You also need to make an effort to put yourself out there and be remembered. As creatives, we can be reclusive. Getting your first job in advertising will be significantly harder than your second and third. You need to be top-of-mind when an agency is hiring up, so meet with people in-person, make inroads with the people at agencies you admire, send handwritten notes and work on your personal brand.

Pricing:

• BrandBossHQ Brand Story $65,000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lookwhatgildid.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bold_flavors/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gil-templeton-77ab9558/