Q&A With Mike Gambino, Executive Creative Director at The Halo Group
Meet Michael Gambino, Executive Creative Director here at The Halo Group
Q. How did you get into this business?
A. I designed posters and logos for heavy metal bands in the 80s. And it started to pay better than my day job, moving pianos.
Q. If you didn’t work in the marketing world, what would you be doing?
A. Playing guitar in the subway for spare change.
Q. Why did you decide to go into marketing/PR/creative/etc?
A. Teacher said I was suited for advertising because I can lie with a big smile.
Q. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
A. I am 6’3″, and it’s mostly legs.
Q. What’s one thing you have to keep stocked in your fridge?
Sake.
Q. What excites you?
A. Women.
Q. What’s your weirdest habit, superstition etc.?
A. I say “fertile” a lot.
Q. Have you ever lived outside of the US?
A. Yes. In Manhattan.
Q. What’s your favorite sports team?
A. The 1979 New York Yankees.
Q. What’s one thing you can’t live without?
A pencil.
Q. What’s your favorite book?
A. Ulysses by James Joyce.
Q. What was your first job?
A. I sliced meats in a deli, at 12.
Q. Do you have a secret talent?
A. Yes. I can eat 30 burritos in one sitting.
Q. What’s your favorite song?
A. Come on in my Kitchen by Robert Johnson
Q. Where did you go to school?
A. Queens College. FIT. London School of Art. Copper Union. NYU. The Art Student’s League.
Q. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
A. I have hot legs, so I wear shorts in the winter.
Q. If you could have one superpower, what would you choose?
A. I’d be DeerMan. My superpower would be that I’m kind of hard to see. My nemesis would be HeadlightMan. I have no defense against HeadLightMan.
Q. What are you into right now?
A. I’m into Spanish Flamenco dancers, Spanish guitar and gypsy singers.
Q. If you could invite any three people in history to dinner, who would they be?
A. The Pope, Jesus Christ and Rush Limbaugh. They should all agree on stuff, right?
Q. What advice do you have for a client when working with their agency?
A. Don’t talk to yourself. Talk to your target.
Q. Why would a client love you or maybe just want to work with you?
A. Because I listen.
Q. Is there anything special happening in your life you’d like to share?
A. Yes. I am going to Seoul next month.
Q. Do you have a pet?
A. No. Animals crap everywhere.
