Meet Jason Koy – Director of Retail Development

Please say aloha to Jason Koy, our new Director of Retail Development who joins us from Hawaii. Specializing in retail brand strategy, he has helped prominent brands stand out from the crowd for more than 15 years. He is thrilled to join our close-knit community at EFM, and we’re sure he’ll fit right in – and not just because he brought us delicious Hawaiian chocolates.

Learn more about Jason below.

What is your favorite color and what do you think that says about you?
Orange – I think it means I’m bright and cheerful.

Where did you come from (if not San Diego) and what did you like most about it?
I’ve lived in Milwaukee and Chicago. I love Midwestern people!

Cats or dogs – pick one.
Dogs!

Where did you come from (agency or client side) and what did you like most about it?
I came from the client side. I loved seeing how hard work can change a brand.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?
The Prosecco left on my desk.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Not loading the dishwasher the proper way.

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?
The amazing view from the office.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:
A trip to Japan.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?
Being with a smaller company and feeling a sense of family.

What will your next big trip be?
Either Kauai or Japan.

Who were you in high school?
A nobody.

What is your biggest fear and why?
Losing those who mean the most to me.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?
Hot yoga.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?
Yoga, have a great brunch, drive the coast and go to the beach.

Favorite food, go:
Tacos, chips & salsa.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
We don’t know each other well enough to share that!

Meet Kyle Bronson – Video Editor/Compositor

Kyle has officially made the cut as our new Video Editor/Compositor. He comes from Los Angeles having worked in film and television post-production, and is ready to play his new role as a creative superstar at an agency. An Alabama native, Kyle is a big fan of Star Trek, possesses an extensive knowledge of comic books and can beat almost anyone at Rock Band.

Learn more about Kyle below.

What is your favorite color and what do you think that says about you?
Red and green. I guess that means I like Christmas?

Where did you come from (if not San Diego) and what did you like most about it?
I grew up in Auburn, AL, but have lived in Los Angeles for the last several years. I loved the seasons in Auburn — there’s nothing more gorgeous than autumn on the plains.

Cats or dogs – pick one.
I used to be a dog person, but now I have three cats. Go figure.

Where did you come from (agency or client side) and what did you like most about it?
I actually come from film and television post-production, and this is my first experience working directly at an agency. I love the variety of the work — I am able to help tell so many different stories. No two days are the same.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?
Showing off my Rock Band skillz at the recent Fauxchella ’15 party.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Slow walkers. I usually keep a brisk pace so I really hate getting stuck behind lollygaggers.

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?
Getting familiar with how an agency as a whole works has been fascinating. Also, can’t beat that view.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:
Spending the summer watching every Arnold Schwarzenegger film.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?
The culture at EFM is really great. Everyone here loves what they do. I’m excited to bring my talents into the pool and do some great work together.

What will your next big trip be?
Hopefully, Universal Studios Orlando. Can’t wait to see Hogwarts!

Who were you in high school?
The marching band geek who worked at a comic book store that somehow convinced everyone he was a cool guy.

What is your biggest fear and why?
I’m alright with most insects, but the hairy ones give me the willies.

If you could be famous for anything, what would it be?
Guest starring as an alien on any Star Trek series.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?
I don’t feel guilty about any of my pleasures, but I get some weird looks when I talk about The Bachelor.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?
Morning hike. Grab some brunch. Take in an afternoon movie. Have a low-key dinner at a fancy-ish restaurant. Meet up with friends/family for a beer tasting. Then, dance the night away to our favorite ‘80s cover band.

Favorite food, go:
Sopressatta sandwich on baguette from the Larchmont Village Wine & Cheese deli counter. So simple, so delicious.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Well, I did propose to my wife at the very top of Disneyland’s Tower of Terror, just before the big drop. That was both wild and fun! (She said yes, so thankfully it was not embarrassing.)

Meet Kari Sanchez – Office Coordinator

We warmly welcome our new office coordinator Kari, who has moved from one beautiful, beach-adjacent city to another. Originally from Brazil, she has a background on the client side of marketing and is eager to immerse herself in agency life. Kari just can’t get enough sun & sand and hopes that her next trip will be to Hawaii.

What is your favorite color and what do you think that says about you?
Today, it’s purple. It basically shows that I don’t always favor the same color.

Where did you come from (city, if not a with the San Diego) and what did you like most about it?
I am from Mogi das Cruces, a small city 40 minutes from São Paulo, Brazil. I love that it’s exactly between beautiful beaches and the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Cats or dogs – pick one.
Dogs, dogs, dogs.

Where did you come from (agency or client side) and what did you like most about it?
I was a marketing intern at Unilever Brazil (client side) before coming to San Diego. I really liked that it had a lot to offer in terms of opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?
Getting hired!

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People snoring close to me!

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?
Probably the same as everybody: the view! And also the office installations and interior design.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:
Getting a tattoo.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?
Getting to know everybody and being able to learn more and more every day.

What will your next big trip be?
Hawaii, aloha!

Who were you in high school?
I was the nerd who was always expelled from the class because of talking.

What is your biggest fear and why?
Losing the ones I love because I don’t know how it would affect me.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?
Having 3 different snacks by my bed and actually eating them in my bed.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?
Wake up late, have a lot of bacon for breakfast, watch a new release in a movie theater, have lunch with my parents, go to the beach in the afternoon and finish the day with my friends at a party.

Favorite food, go:
Steak and pasta.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
I ripped my skirt before an interview and I only noticed when the secretary told me (I passed)!

Meet Mike Liang – Copywriter

Hailing from Sacramento, our new copywriter Mike joins EFM with experience on both the account and creative sides of advertising. Eager to hone his craft, he brings his quick wit to the fast-paced agency life and looks forward to collaborating with like minds. Mike loves a good challenge both in and out of the workplace, and has declared that his next feat will be to master a yoga headstand.

Get to know more about Michael below.

What is your favorite color and what do you think that says about you?
Purple. Purple Rain by Prince, The Sacramento Kings – it’s the most regal of the colors. Don’t know what that says about me though…

Where did you come from (if not San Diego) and what did you like most about it?
Sacramento, California. My favorite thing about visiting Sacramento is knowing that I live in San Diego.

Cats or dogs – pick one.
Dogs, absolutely.

Where did you come from (agency or client side) and what did you like most about it?
I’ve been at agencies for the last 4 years. I love agency culture – the pace is fast, the people are intimidatingly smart and the wits are sharp.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?
Trying a yoga class for the first time at the office. I feel like a true Southern Californian now.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
When somebody asks you an easily Google-able question via text.

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?
The people at EFM genuinely like hanging out with each other and they’ve been tremendously welcoming. The impromptu improv shows at people’s desks are pretty entertaining and hilarious.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:
Pulling off that yoga headstand.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?
Collaborating with remarkably talented people to bring great ideas to life.

What will your next big trip be?
Costa Rica in July – still trying to find one of those white, see-through silk shirts.

Who were you in high school?
A skinnier version of me that was way too into comic books.

What is your biggest fear and why?
Sitting next to an older Asian gentleman on the subway, a flight, at a restaurant, etc. and having people think that he’s my dad. That and rats. I had a traumatic experience.

If you could be famous for anything, what would it be?
Being ridiculously talented or having a talent for being ridiculous. Either/or.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?
Food.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?
I’d become best friends with a monkey, have the entire day scored by a really smooth saxophone soundtrack and skip leg day.

Favorite food, go:
Fried chicken. Hands down.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
This might be an overshare. A little over a year ago, I had to have surgery on a very sensitive area of the body. There were many probing fingers. I was the butt of a lot of jokes.

Meet Libby Navarro – Insights Analyst

Libby joins EFM with her sights set on helping our clients grow. She brings experience in research and digital analytics for a diverse portfolio of clients, and looks forward to further expanding her knowledge. When she’s not working, she makes the most of the sunshine kayaking, spending time with her family and friends and enjoying the city’s best Mexican restaurants.

Learn more about Libby below:

What is your favorite color and what do you think that says about you?

White, gold, and indigo – which all mean that I’m indecisive.

Where did you come from (city, if not San Diego) and what did you like most about it?

San Diego, born and raised! I like everything about this city but my favorites are my family, friends, and the Mexican food.

Cats or dogs – pick one.

Dogs

Where did you come from (agency or client side) and what did you like most about it?

I’m coming from research, but I have worked at agencies in the past. I enjoy working with many diverse clients and industries.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?

Playing beer pong on my third day.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Hearing people chew (an acute form of misophonia).

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?

The fabulous people and awesome view!

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:

Going to the Tour de France.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?

I’m excited to expand my knowledge of digital analytics and help clients grow through data.

What will your next big trip be?

France for the 2016 Tour de France.

Who were you in high school?

The over-involved overachiever.

What is your biggest fear and why?

Not waking up to my morning alarm.

If you could be famous for anything, what would it be?

Winning a future season of the Amazing Race.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?

Bravo reality TV.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?

Sleeping in, then kayaking, then happy hour, then binge watching a show with friends.

Favorite food, go:

Avocados

Meet Erin Relph – Traffic/Production Coordinator

Please make way for our new Traffic/Production Coordinator, Erin Relph. Her love of working with diverse projects and people brought her from Redondo Beach to San Diego, where she plays an integral role in bridging the account and creative teams, making sure all jobs are done in a timely and efficient manner. When she’s not in the office, you might catch her running a half marathon or two, or spending time with her family.

Get to know more about Erin below:

What is your favorite color (be specific) and what do you think that says about you?

Red. I think it means I’m not afraid to express myself/speak my mind.

Where did you come from (city, if not San Diego) and what did you like most about it?

Redondo Beach. I loved the small town atmosphere, yet living so close to LA, I grew up with the best of both worlds.

Cats or dogs – pick one.

Dogs – Definitely dogs.

Where did you come from (agency or client side) and what did you like most about it?

Agency. I liked working with diverse list of jobs and projects; every day was different.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?

The culture, everyone here is so friendly and nice, and excited to be here.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Passive-aggressiveness.

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?

I know this has been said before, but the view…it’s stellar.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:

Completing the San Diego Triple Crown this year. Three half marathons in one year – Carlsbad (done!), La Jolla and America’s Finest City.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?

Being encouraged to follow my passions with a group of talented, passionate, creative people.

Who were you in high school?

The nerdy girl who cared about grades way too much.

What is your biggest fear and why?

Spiders, because, duh.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?

Sleep, I love to sleep, but can never seem to get enough of it.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?

Start with a morning run or hike with the dog. Head down to Rosartio for lunch with the family, explore more of Baja and then head home for a relaxing evening and beers with my husband after the kids are in bed.

Favorite food, go:

Carne asada tacos from Tacos El Yaqui in Rosarito.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

I helped rescue a wild dolphin in San Felipe.

Meet Crystal Small – Junior Copywriter

Crystal joins EFM after moving to San Diego from Los Angeles, where she worked at a PR firm writing ads, brochures and press releases. Ask her about all things pop culture – especially Seinfeld, Nickelodeon or Serial. When she’s not writing, you can find her at dance rehearsals or at the beach reading mystery novels.

What is your favorite color and does it say about you?

Mint blue, which is trending right now. So I must be very fashion-forward.

Where did you come from and what did you like most about it?

I lived in Hollywood for the past few years. I loved the diversity, the culture and the food. And no matter how many times I walked down Hollywood Boulevard, the level of crazy never ceased to amaze me.

Cats or dogs – pick one.

Dogs.

 Where did you come from, professionally, and what did you like most about it?

I come from a PR firm, where I worked on new business launches. I loved helping brands make the transition from being completely unknown to recognized everywhere.

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?

Everyone in the office is so friendly and funny!

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?


When I first saw what our amazing designers had done with copy I wrote, I was ecstatic!

What is your biggest pet peeve?


I can’t stand it when people ramble on, regardless of whether the other person appears to have time for – or interest in – the conversation.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:


Writing a novel.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?


I am so excited to pick all of the creative brains we have at EFM. There is so much talent packed into this agency.

What will your next big trip be?


Hopefully I’ll get to travel to Greece sometime soon.

Who were you in high school?


I was that quiet girl who said funny things that only those sitting near me could hear. Nothing has changed.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?


I don’t feel guilty about it, but some might judge me for my affinity for teen pop culture.

What is your biggest fear?


That I will search for someone’s name on Facebook and accidentally type it as my status.

Favorite food, go:


Thai drunken noodles.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?


1. Solve a mystery.
2. Choreograph a dance to my current favorite song.
3. Watch

What is the most fun thing that has ever happened to you?

I was a backup dancer for the Black Eyed Peas at the 2011 Kids’ Choice Awards. It was an awesome combination of my love for dancing and my (borderline) obsession with teen pop.

Meet Terri Beth Mitchell – Graphic Designer

Joining the Experiences For Mankind team as a Graphic Designer is Terri Beth Mitchell. She comes from a colorful background filled with freelancing, putting on art shows, co-hosting Art Pulse TV, producing TEDx and more. Terri’s latest endeavor at EFM includes collaborating with the creative team to build and establish brands through distinctive, strategic, and memorable design.

What is your favorite color (be specific) and what do you think that says about you?

Teal. It’s been my favorite since grade school. I think it says I’m a mermaid.

What city did you come from and what did you like most about it?

Bethalto, Illinois. It’s a small town near a big river. There are lots of open spaces to do donuts with your car.

Cats or dogs – pick one.

Dogs — but my personality is more like a cat.

Did you come from the agency or client side? What did you like most about it?

Most recently, I come from working for myself. I liked my commute a lot, because it was really near my bed.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?

I performed a song-and-dance number to win a pitch for the theme of the EFM holiday party.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Redundancy.

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?

The extremely high skill level of each person. Really, really impressive people here.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:

Becoming immortal.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?

Having a hand in coming up with and executing some really fun, conceptual ideas.

What will your next big trip be?

I’d like to stay in a cabin in Yosemite or something.

Who were you in high school?

A philosophical genius (in my mind), who sang karaoke alone in my room, had a collection of marble elephants, and was obsessed with brushing my hair (IT MUST BE PERFECTLY SMOOTH!). Basically, the same.

What is your biggest fear and why?

Falling. Just general falling.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?

I feel no guilt about any of my pleasures.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?

Have at least a dozen pug puppies greet me in my bed in the morning. Then, have a bacon and egg breakfast in a Winnebago on the way to Disneyland, which is closed to everyone but me and 20 people I know. All the food and ice cream is free for us. When we’re tired, we all travel back in time to see what dinosaurs looked like. This turns out to be a huge mistake.

Favorite food, go:

2 Meximelts with no pico sauce, and a side of Baja sauce for dipping.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

I sold my French Horn on ebay to buy tickets and fly to New York to see Michael Jackson perform at Madison Square Garden on September 10th, 2001. He came out of the floor in a space suit. Marlon Brando, Liz Taylor and Macaulay Culkin were there. The next day, September 11th happened. I thought the world was ending. I ended up driving back to St. Louis in a rental car with a lady I didn’t know and her son, who farted the entire trip.

Experiences For Mankind makes a big scene with a little Photoshop and a lot of holiday magic.

To celebrate the year that was and ring in 2015, we decided to put a collaborative, digital twist on the staid agency holiday card.

Our Epic Holiday Vignette features everyone at Experiences For Mankind celebrating the season in their own special way.

The festive results, including our creative brief were sent out to our agency clients and partners using both email and good old-fashioned postal carriers. And of course, ample social media postings helped reach out to our followers in the ad and design community. All dispatches lead back to our microsite where visitors can use an interactive magnifying glass to explore all the insane detail in the scene, and check out a time-lapse making-of video that shows just how we turned a mishmash of San Diego agency folk into hardscrabble helpers in a winter wonderland.

In fact, within just the first day, the 8 minute video racked up over 2,800 views. Not bad for a lazy December afternoon.

We figured the whole experience would be a chance to show off some of our core creative and strategic chops, spotlight our eclectic mix of personalities, and of course cut loose a little while making it all happen. Pretty much everything we give our clients on a daily basis. Only, you know, in the snow.

View the microsite here. Check out the making-of video below

And here is the Creative Brief.

Meet David Fried – Senior Copywriter and Strategist

Headlining this blog is our new Senior Copywriter and Strategist, David Fried. With over a decade of agency experience, David has developed strategies, identities and creative for brands in technology, music, craft beer, health and beauty, non-profits and online gaming. His new role entails propelling the copy team and translating purposeful strategy into campaigns, RFPs and brand platforms.

Read more about David below:

What is your favorite color (be specific) and what do you think that says about you?

Green. It’s such a positive color. Which probably explains why I usually wear black or grey.

Where did you come from and what did you like most about it?

San Diego, by way of NYC, by way of Brazil, by way of Chile, by way of Huntington Beach.

Cats or dogs – pick one.

Cats.

Where did you come from and what did you like most about it?

Agency. It’s a thrill to be able to learn so much about so many different types of clients and help them tell their stories.

What has been your favorite thing/occurrence/moment so far at EFM?

Aside from everybody being super welcoming and friendly? Probably seeing Alex K. prance around in a horsehead mask on a semi-daily basis.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Up-talk?

What is something that has surprised you about work/the office/San Diego?

The views in our office are beyond spectacular.

The next thing I’m crossing off my bucket list is:

Answering a new employee questionnaire. Boom! Done.

What are you most excited about working at EFM?

Collaborating with so many smart, talented people.

What will your next big trip be?

Brazil.

Who were you in high school?

The guy whose friends had all graduated already.

What is your biggest fear and why?

I’m not very good with tight spaces. So please don’t crowd the elevator.

What would you consider to be your guilty pleasure?

Reality competition shows. I like TV where you really only need to pay attention for the last 5 minutes.

If you had complete control to plan what you consider to be your perfect day, what would you do?

Pretty much any day in Paris or Rome will do. But I’m just as happy spending a day with my kids climbing all over me.

Favorite food, go:

Tacos. Perfect for any meal.

What is the weirdest/most fun/wildest/most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

Yeah, I’m not spilling the beans on that one.