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May 20, 2024

"Not everyone can eat a creative idea" with Matt Johnson, Co-Founder of HAYMAKER

You'll be glad you caught this one. Matt Johnson has paved his ad career as a strategist and now agency founder with determination, humility, and of, course, a heaping helping of creativity. He cut his teeth at some of the most iconic names in LA advertising; Goodby, 72&Sunny, 180LA, and now Haymaker

Matt tells us about sharing an alma mater with Dan Weiden and “growing up” in his career path alongside the rise of Jordan in the ‘80s when, for the first time, a single athlete was defining the culture of sports and beyond. 

Episode Quotes: 

  • Almost leaving advertising: “when you’re a competitive person, and a really hard worker, advertising is really easy to get sucked up into because it’s such a tough business and demands a competitive fire.” 
  • “There’s never an end to the work… you could go forever.” 
  • "Strategy IS creative." Say it back.
  • On new business: “Hire the partner not the idea”
  • On modeling the agency: "Haymaker is a reflection of the founders’ partnership and friendship"
  • Industry friction/ truth: “Not everyone can eat a Creative Idea”
  • On life: “I found my way into opportunity and listened.”


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