In our latest employee spotlight, DENTSU CREATIVE US's executive producer of content production Todd Scheifele explains how the TV/Film major pivoted to an advertising career.
Q> How would you explain your job to a small child?
Todd> I'm the babysitter for a commercial. I help find all the elements, move it in the right direction, keep it safe and make sure it goes to bed on time.
Q> Tell us about your favourite project you’ve worked on and why?
Todd> Honestly, my favourite is any project where all the players gel. Clients, agencies and vendors on the same page think freely and have fun while doing it. Budget doesn't matter. What is important is a solid workflow.
Q> How is your job uniquely creative?
Todd> As a producer, we don't only get to dabble in the traditional creative. We help guide vendors and blaze a path for creative and account to make the project what it needs to be.
Q> What is your biggest career accomplishment thus far?
Todd> My biggest career accomplishment is the friends and connections I have made in the industry. I've met my wife, best man, child's godfather, mentors and lifelong friends all through this crazy industry.
Q> Tell us about your career path.
Todd> I was a TV/film major at Hofstra University and took an internship on a documentary film that was being led by an executive producer from Grey Worldwide. I had never thought of advertising as a career, but I applied for a job and was lucky enough to get hired as an assistant producer.
Q> What advice would you give to your younger self?
Todd> Work is important, and you should take it seriously. But have some fun along the way. When troubles arise (and they will come up), it will get fixed through patience, clear thinking and teamwork.
Q> What is something that inspires you?
Todd> A simple and unique thought inspires me. It could be art, design, technology or an event. What really gets my creativity going is a complete world where all details are thought out with exacting detail (Animation, immersive events).
Q> What was the most interesting job you’ve ever had?
Todd> Advertising! Where else can you work all over the world, at all hours with amazingly creative people? Every few weeks/months we make mini movies or experiences. That's pretty cool.
Q> What was your dream job when you were younger?
Todd> When I was younger, I wanted to be a director or a cartoonist. Turns out I was better with budgets and schedules.
Q> What TV show are you currently binging?
Todd> Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Love Death & Robots, or any Marvel TV Series
Q> What is your secret superpower?
Todd> Dad jokes. I've been saying them forever. Now that I am an actual father, they have only gotten worse.
Q> Bucket list item?
Todd> Drive Route 66 across the country and visit every horrible roadside attraction.
Q> If you could meet someone famous, who would that be?
Todd> I've been lucky enough to meet a few famous people. But if I could pick, it would be to meet Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Peter Jackson or any other director I admire, and let them just talk.
Q> What was the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Todd> I was with a friend of the family looking after their 6-year-old daughter who was playing in a newly constructed pillow fort and discussing our plans of what we were going to do. I was riffing some convoluted fantasy story when she stopped, put her hand on her hip and said: "Uncle Todd, you really get me!" That still makes me smile.
Q> What is your theme song?
Todd> The Indiana Jones theme song would be great to walk into a room too.
Q> One thing that makes you happy?
Todd> My Family. Just being with them no matter what we are doing makes me happy.