Unsolicited Q & A:

What’s your super power?

Weird question to come right out of the gate with, but it’s cool. My super power is gratitude. This career has been such a gift. Full disclosure: I wasn’t the best student in high school. And not much better in college. Until I enrolled in a Creative Campaigns Class. My professor told us to read “Hey, Whipple” and that was it. That book sucked me out of a very normal world and into this weird and wonderful one we call advertising. It’s made for an incredibly memorable and meaningful life. The brilliant and insanely talented people this industry draws into its web is second-to-none. The mentors I’ve had, the friends I’ve made and the work I’ve been able to make – just grateful.

What’s your back up super power?

Honestly didn’t expect so many super power question. Well, if I did have a runner up super power, I’d say: selective amnesia. This business can be hard at times. And ideas die all the time. But I’ve never in my career seen people, a team or an agency thrive when they’re unable to let it go. Brilliant idea just got killed? Let it go. New campaign presented to client got holes shot into it? Let it go. We’re a resilient species. And it’s our ability to forget how hard something was/is and focus and how successful the next thing will be that makes us uniquely us.

What’s your favorite piece of work?

Woof. Tough one. I gotta say it’s a tie between Mayhem Sale and The Allstate Good Life Anthem. The Mayhem Sale came from the most simple of social media truths. Oversharing makes you vulnerable. And Mayhem’s whole purpose is to point out life’s vulnerabilities. In a brainstorm sesh, I threw out the idea of Mayhem breaking into a person’s home after they overshared that they were at a football game. A creative intern then quipped “yeah, then he should sell all their stuff, bootleg style.” And that was it. I mean, selling it was insanely hard. My ECD Britt Nolan was a force of nature selling it through. Deck after deck after deck. And no after no after no. Until finally, a maybe. Then a soft yes. Then another ‘NO!’ from legal, but then a begrudging “fine, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

And the Allstate Good Life Anthem. I poured that one straight out of my heart. My family was still reeling after the untimely death of my older brother. Especially my mom. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I wrote than for her. To tell her that life can go on. That good can still happen after something so bad. And my mom was proud. And so many people beyond just my mom got the message (this commercial was the first time anything I’d done had generated fan mail from the general public). So it has a special shelf space in my heart.

What’s your working style?

In a word: Uber collaborative (you should know right now, I’m horrible with numbers). I’m very unafraid of calling people. Knocking on their door or otherwise stalking them if I have a question. People work best, are most inspired when they have skin in the game. And to make sure they keep skin in the game, they gotta feel part of the work. To make them feel part of the work, you have to communicate and collaborate. Often. I’ve seen work get done without authentic collaboration. With people that have checked out on the work. It’s a joyless experience and try to avoid it at all costs.

More questions?

HMU here brandanjenkins@gmail.com

AWARDS

 Cannes Bronze 2023 Intel “eCycleLand” - Social (x2 Shortlists)

Cannes Shortlist 2021 Intel “Hi, I’m Not a Mac”

Cannes Shortlist 2021 Intel “Codeseeker” - Social

Grand Prix London International Awards 2015 – Allstate “Social Savvy Burglar” – Integrated

• Cannes Silver Lion 2015 – Allstate “Social Savvy Burglar” – Titanium & Integrated

• Cannes Bronze Lion 2015 – Allstate “Social Savvy Burglar” – Integrated Campaign led by Promotion and Activation

• Cannes Bronze Lion 2015 – Allstate “Social Savvy Burglar” – Use of Events & Stunts

• Clio Gold Winner 2015 – Allstate “Social Savvy Burglar” – Social Media

• AICP Most Next Award 2015 - Allstate Mayhem Social Savvy Burglar - Integrated Campaign

• Radio Mercury 2015 - Allstate "Mayhem's All-Time Greatest Hits" - Integrated Radio Campaign

• D&AD Graphite Pencil 2015 - Allstate Mayhem Social Savvy Burglar - Integrated & Innovative Media / Integrated / 

• One Show Silver 2015 - Allstate Mayhem Social Savvy Burglar - Digital Direct Marketing:
Social Media & Viral