What’s your role at TBG?
I am a Strategist, which is just a euro way of saying Planner—which is just the evolved version of the Account Planner (and they were boring nerds, who have recently evolved into funny nerds).

Uh, cool, what does that mean?
I analyze business objectives, define the problem and opportunities, research consumers and identify challenges; all taking into account a business and media landscape. Or, I write briefs to get creative juices flowing (living the dream) and give our teams a good starting point for our projects. Basically I’m a nerd who can express himself.

How’d you end up as a Strategic Planner?
Well I used be part of a few design departments out of college and it always occurred to me that there may be a better way to solve the client’s problem, or at least, there were better questions that could be asked at the start of a project. The old “measure twice, cut once” methodology. So I decided to leave work, go to school for a year to get some time to think, learn and explore. When it was all said and done, I ended up a Planner. Been doing it ever since (read in Randy Quaid ID4 voice).

How’d you arrive at TBG? (and no, we’re not talking transport)
The short version is I was working in Amsterdam for a company called Naked Communications and began looking for new jobs with some very specific criteria. Firstly, I needed to get back to working closely with creatives and not just a room full of planners. Secondly, I would only leave Amsterdam if I was going to an equally cool city. Lastly, I got accustomed to the Euro-style of benefits packages. You know what? TBG fit the bill perfectly. Oh and I guess it was also good to be able to work with people who are really, really “of the Internet,” but I think of that as the cherry on top.

Who’s your main sidekick when it comes to getting the job done?
Wow, I think I’ve got a bunch of different sidekicks. It depends on the context. For anything client-facing, there is pop rocket Claude Allwood. We tag team keynote decks like manic WWE fighters. For the times when I can’t find the words I need to express my thinking succinctly, I turn to editor-in-chief, Frank Marquardt. Other than that my remote sidekicks are Rye Clifton, for some idea tennis and Chet Gulland, for some good old what-am-I-missing & how-can-I-elevate thinking.

Most exciting project you’ve worked on here?
A PITCH! I really really enjoyed this one pitch over the summer for a global brand trying to do good things for the world. I loved it because we had a great team and nice big challenge to bite into and I think what we did for it was amazing. It was honest, we shot for the moon and the presentation deck was beautiful. It’s all about that putting your best foot forward, you know?

Other than that, I’m really proud of our iAd for Sears x UK Style by French Connection. Its beautiful and immersive without the gimmickry. Plus it sounds like its garnering a bunch of click-thrus.

Best thing about your job?
Doing work I’m proud of and believe in, then occasionally being told by Creatives that they appreciated my efforts afterwards.

Not-so-best thing about your job?
The way the word “strategy” is bandied about when what the people mean to say is “tactic” or “process” or “direction.” Sometimes I’m not the best resource to get to a solution the quickest. Semantics, but it’s important to get right.

First blog you check every morning:
IGN! But I mean, my twitter feed IS my information and links source for a couple years now, changing the way I use the Internet. But IGN is one of the few sites out there that I go to and actually browse around to get informed.

Favorite apps?
Instapaper at #1, #2 and #3. Behind that is Kindle on my iPhone (haven’t read a paper book since 2008), Echofon and Foursquare. Plus I use the Daytum app almost daily for that whole quantified self tracking phenomenon.

All time fave thing you’ve ever found on the internet?
My all time fave #yourthemannowdog is here: http://wheredagold.ytmnd.com, because you get everything with it: real news story + obscure location + totally ridiculous + playing it straight + iconic phrases + iconic smiley face guy + remix + the tune knocks + South Park re-up it + annual relevance at St Patricks Day. Its got the meta power of a super combined episode of Community x South Park. And it all started with “The Sketch”. It’s pure joy.

Not much else comes to mind, but a video that has created an in-joke I share with my sister even today, nearly a decade after the first time I first saw it

Which decade produced the best music?
Easy, the 60’s. REAL music which we can only imitate these days. And this comes from someone who blasts French and Dutch house daily throughout the office.

What’s the last furry thing you touched?
A fat cat. Purr for me.

Bowie or Blondie?
I plead the fiiiiif