Tom Martin, President

Why do you do what you do?
I suffer from Intellectual ADD. This is the only field in the world where I can constantly be learning a new thing without having to change companies, categories or careers.

What was your proudest career moment?
When I was still a Junior AE on the American Airlines business I developed a College Flight Voucher Direct Mail program. I didn’t realize it at the time, but American had been trying to develop a college-targeted program to fight Continental’s very successful American Express voucher program. I was allowed to pitch the program myself and it was launched by the firm’s direct marketing arm a few months later.

What fuels you to do the best? 
A chance to fail. Safe sucks. I love it when the agency or a client will follow me out on the gang-plank to see what will happen because I know we’ll either succeed or learn. Either of which is just fine with me.

What drew you to Zehnder?
It was kind of like Goldilocks. Some agencies in New Orleans were too safe. Others were too crazy. But Zehnder was just right – creative but disciplined. And Jeff promised me a plant in my office.

What do you suck at?
A lot of things. But mostly at being patient.

Describe your most quirky trait:
I enjoy a good Gregorian Chant now and then.

Outside Zehnder I love to ....

• Read
• Cook
• Go camping
• Hang with the family