Right now, I’m a VP, Creative Director working for Klick Health. We were staffed and ready to launch a new drug when the FDA said,
“hold my beer.”
[Mandy Patinkin voice]
Previously, on David’s Work History…
I worked at FCB Health as a conceptual specialist-cum-embedded problem-solver for “The Bank,” a small group of FCB Health creative mercenaries for hire. Have chops, will travel.
Immediately prior, I led a small and talented group of writers on a couple of brands in the COPD market (Spiriva and Stiolto, if you must pry).
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From 2013-2019, my home was Neon. Started as ACD, made the jump. An absolutely uncomprehensive list of accounts: Beltrega Solis, Cosentyx, Elelyso, Erelzi, Glatopa, Prolastin-C, Symjepi, Zilretta, Omnitrope, Onzetra, Posimir, Reata, Relpax, Remodulin, Rixathon, Sandoz Biosimilars, Tyvaso, United Therapeutics Oncology, Unituxin, Zarxio, Ziextenzo. Won business. Grew business. Ran business. Oversaw >$20MM in billings and a fantastic bunch of writers.
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Before that, I was a freelancer, working on Cephalon, Ilaris, Novartis BrandSaver, and Nuvigil. The latter allowed me to help create a multi-screen billboard in Times Square that is absolutely one of my career highlights. I mean, come on, it’s TIMES SQUARE.
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From 2008 through 2011, I was an ACD at the CementBloc, or The Bloc, whichever you prefer. The list of brands I brought to new heights included Extavia, Gilenya, Gralise, MoviPrep, OsmoPrep, Toctino, and Xyzal.
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The previous 2 years I lent my talents to CDMiConnect, where I expanded my Consumer Relationship Marketing chops on Lucentis, Raptiva, and Rituxan.
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This is a fun, but frustrating stop: from 2002 through 2006 I ventured to the other side of Medicine Avenue, where I worked at Grey Worldwide as ACD. Here I collected some valuable OTC and DTC experience, working on Advil (frustrating), Advil Cold & Sinus (fun), Aquafresh (fun), Avodart (FRUSTRATING), Imitrex (fun), and Wellbutrin (jury’s out).
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My second tour of duty at Cline, Davis & Mann lasted from 1997 to 2002. During that time, as Copy Supervisor, I helped launch a drug called Viagra. You may have heard of it. We tore it up, yo. Jay Leno even made fun of one of my commercials.
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I spent 1996-97 at Medicus, digging my claws into a large-scale launch, for Allegra. It was tough, it was challenging, and it was absolutely a blast.
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My pharma career began in 1993 at CDM. I walked in with a crappy portfolio and no practical experience, and left with passion, purpose, and a boatload of lifelong friends. Some of the fire I was forged in: Bioclate, Cardura, Helixate, Monoclate-P, and Mononine.
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My advertising career started with a job answering phones at a couple of small agencies, Bruce J. Bloom, Inc., and Quorum Associates. Goddamn, but did Tony Fagnani bequeath the copywriter bug to me (not to mention a career-long tradition of listening to Art Tatum and Billie Holiday as I work). I shall forever be indebted to the man.
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As for the rest of me…
I’m a native of the flatlands of West Texas, but NYC is where I was born to be. The first time I walked the streets, I felt plugged in, tuned in, turned on, and utterly hooked. Aside from a 2 year stint at the Harvard School for Boys in North Hollywood, CA, I’ve been in the NYC area for 40+ years. I received a BFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU, a degree as practically useful as it sounds. But I found a way to make telling stories into a regular paycheck, and here I am. I share this life with my spectacular wife Tara and our two sons.
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I cross my arms a lot.
