Unexpected Intros: Erin Wong
At DDB, we have a simple belief. That Unexpected Works. It means that the best idea is the one you never saw coming. The thing that catches you so off guard that you can‘t look away. And the only path to genuinely unexpected works is through creativity.
And in order to create awesome works, you need awesome people. Because you can’t make the unexpected if you only work with the usual suspects. In this Unexpected Intros series, we take a peek behind the curtain at some of the diverse thinkers that make up our network, and validate Bill Bernbach’s notion that an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.
1. Name, Title, Office
Erin Wong | VP, Strategy Director | DDB Chicago
2. Introduce yourself in three emojis.
🧋🗺 🐶
3. What was your very first job?
My first job ever was teaching at the local swim school…a wonder they hired me when I could barely stand in the shallow end. My first full-time job was in fashion and beauty PR. It was a fun glimpse into that The Devil Wears Prada life.
4. How did you wind up in advertising?
While studying integrated marketing in grad school, I was immediately drawn to the art + science of discovering consumer insights. That and I realised I could still make use of my non-corporate wardrobe in this industry.
5. Piece of creative that inspires you?
Barbie’s Imagine the Possibilities campaign always gives me the feels, both strategically and creatively. The perception shift they achieved was remarkable and I love seeing how they committed to their purpose and have carried it forward in various ways over the years.
6. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
Reading: Ghosts by Dolly Alderton – a friend gave me this delightfully smart, funny read for my birthday. Written from the perspective of a modern-day 30-something, the story offers an astute commentary on some of society’s many pressures.
Watching: While waiting for Top Chef to return, I started re-watching The West Wing as a quixotic escape from real-life current events.
Listening: I’ve been trying to listen AAPI voices more regularly on podcasts like Dear Asian Americans and Asian Enough. And because I found his company L2 so valuable, I enjoy hearing what Scott Galloway has to say on Pivot or The Prof G Show.
7. What’s a goal/hope/dream of yours?
My goal is to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
I hope to get back to traveling abroad soon!
And I dream of finding the source of eternal life for my dog – I would be totally okay if she wanted to Swan Song me (which I highly recommend watching on AppleTV+ if you haven’t seen yet).
