McCanners of New York: Travis Bonilla
Welcome to 'McCanners of New York', a series that delves into the lives of the talent behind McCann New York's greatest work. Featuring employees across departments and various roles, this series is an exploration of their personal stories, side-hustles, passions and the projects they cherish.
'McCanners of New York' offers a glimpse into the lives of these talented advertisers, showcasing both their professional and personal journeys.
In this edition, we’re getting to know Travis Bonilla, senior designer, McCann New York.
Q> Why did you decide to pursue a career in advertising?
Travis> Ever since I was a kid, I've been creative. Whether it was drawing with crayons or designing album covers for fun on Microsoft Paint, I just loved expressing myself. So, when it came time to figure out what to do with my life, design and advertising at CUNY New York City College of Technology seemed like a good choice. After college, I took a detour into editorial design, working for magazines. But eventually, I found my way to the brand side, and now, here I am, at McCann.
Q> Outside of work, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that you're particularly passionate about? Has this hobby/passion influenced your work in advertising at all?
Travis> Outside of work, I'm passionate about music and pop culture. I started DJing as a hobby 10 years ago, and it turned into paid gigs at bars around NYC. Interestingly, this passion for music has spilled over into my work. At times I get to influence the music selections for the videos or spots we create, plus, my ability to stay on top of what's new and relevant in music comes in handy too.
Q> Can you share a project or campaign you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?
Travis> While working here at McCann, I've worked on some cool projects. But one that really stands out is the huge NYC OOH Takeover we did for Verizon back in early 2023. We took over three major subway stations, both of NYC's airports, and flooded the city with digital billboards – static, animated, and a couple of 3D boards! It was a real creative challenge, but seeing our designs come to life in all these different formats was incredibly rewarding.
Q> Are you involved with any other initiatives within the agency?
Travis> Yes, I'm one of the co-leads for The Cookout, our Employee Resource Group dedicated to supporting Black employees here at McCann. Right now, we're all about celebrating Black History Month. One cool thing we've got going on is a Black-Owned Business Scavenger Hunt. We split into teams and hit up various Black-owned businesses across NYC – from bars and spas to bookstores. It's been a lot of fun so far!
Q> What advice would you give to someone aspiring to pursue a career in advertising, especially at a large agency like McCann?
Travis> Make sure you're in love with what you're doing. You'll be putting in some serious hours, so if you're not too excited about it, it's going to feel like a drag. But when you're passionate about your work, every late night and early morning is totally worth it.
Q> What is your favourite area in NYC and why?
Travis> I don’t really have a favourite area in NYC. I’m a foodie, so I like to go wherever the food takes me. I love trying new things.
Q> If you could recommend one hidden gem in NYC that not many people know about, what would it be?
Travis> Not sure how well known this spot is, but a favourite gem of mine is a bar in LES called Las Lap. It’s also one of the Black-owned businesses on our Scavenger Hunt list. My favourite drink there is the Sorrel Mule.
