| by: | Sep 1, 2006 |
Honored for: Creativity in Advertising/Creative Risk-Taking
You know her work as one of the most memorable - and spoofed - campaigns in recent history. Though she's reached the lofty heights of EVP/chief creative officer, Joyce King Thomas will always be known as one of the creators of MasterCard's iconic Priceless campaign, which is now nearly 10 years old and runs in over 100 markets around the world.
King Thomas joined McCann from Wells Rich Greene in 1995 as SVP/group creative director, and in addition to MasterCard, has created campaigns for Lucent Techologies, Verizon Wireless, Staples and Nikon. She was named EVP/ECD in 1998 and was elevated to EVP/CCO in 2004.
According to McCann executive creative director Steve Ohler, "She's tough but fair and steadfast in her determination to make the work excel and the agency succeed."
With that toughness comes a soft-spoken, perceptive and strategic nature, according to McCann director of broadcast production Peter Friedman. "She is an amazing writer with an elegant visual sense who has earned the respect and loyalty of co-workers and clients alike. Joyce is also a wife and a mother of two sons. Remarkably, both her personal and professional families know we have her full support."
IN HER WORDS:Who or what continues to inspire you? Ad legends like Mary Wells, Phyllis Robinson and Janet Champ. Great writers like Roth and Auster and Toni Morrison. Filmmakers like Gondry, Sheridan, Ridley Scott, and Bennett Miller. And now, Dayton Faris (who just did the funny and moving Little Miss Sunshine) Inspiration is everywhere. In New York, the graffiti is inspiring.
What do you love about the industry? I love working with talented people who surprise me.
What would you change? This business needs diversity. Badly.
"I got into advertising..." Because I wanted to be a journalist but got an internship at an ad agency and decided advertising is just journalism with an agenda.
Life outside of work For me, life has been about work and family. I managed to raise two wonderful sons who are curious and thoughtful and smart. (About the Neil French flap, my oldest asked, "Why doesn't he just say he's sorry.")
What advice would you give to future generations of women in advertising? It's the same advice I'd give to young men: manage your own career. Keep asking yourself where you want to be. And have a plan to get there. Do not expect other people to fulfill your plan. By the way, you CAN have a family, and your family will make you better at your job.
