Here are some nice things people have said about me. Also their contact info so you can follow up with them and make sure it’s real.
I feel very greatful to have worked alongside Sam for many years. Not only is he an incredibly talented and diligent strategist, and thinker — but he truly believes in the transformational potential that good creative ideas can have. He cares about his work and about how his work can lift and empower others. And it is this passion and care that provide him with his superpower. He is a leader, a builder, and someone who has made a lasting impression on my career.
Honestly, Sam’s fucking great. When he asked if I’d write a reference I was overcome with a deep, visceral sadness. “Is he leaving us?” I thought. Well, fuck. He probably is. And anywhere would be lucky to have him. Sam’s the best strategist I’ve ever worked with. He’s collaborative, smart, creative, kind, blah blah blah. He’s great. You don’t need more adjectives. He’s all of them. (The good ones, anyways). He’s one of those rare strategists that’s so unbelievably dialled in to great creative work — in ways that even a lot of creatives aren’t — and I’ve never had more fun (or done better work) than when we’ve been on accounts together. When a new strategist starts and they ask me how to be a great strategist at Rethink, I always say, “be like Sam”.
I had the pleasure of supervising Sam during his first four years at Rethink. During this time, Sam evolved from an energetic junior requesting to work on any project he could to a respected senior strategist, continuously requested by our account and creative teams. His ability to distill complex ideas into inspiring insights led me to entrust him with leading strategy for one of Rethink’s largest accounts, A&W Canada (no relation to A&W USA). Sam quickly won over the clients and, to my surprise/delight, successfully initiated a long-stalled strategic shift to the brand’s positioning and platform.
Geoff Baillie
Creative Director, Rethink
I worked with Geoff on Wonder Bread
I've had the pleasure of working with Sam for a couple years now. Here are some of the reasons why he's been such a pleasure to work with: His strategies are rooted in clear emotional truths. He won't force a strained strategy for the sake of being new, and he won't use a tired strategy for the sake of being safe. He writes fun briefs. One of which led to the most successful brand campaign in Wonder Bread history. On top of that, Sam's everybody's pal. He's a big culture guy, a great hang, and clients love him. I'll miss working with him, but sky's the limit for our beloved Sam.
Sam is wicked smart and seems to have read a book on every subject. But it’s his infectious curiosity, care for the work, and sunny enthusiasm that truly elevates everything he touches. When executive-level clients are kept up at night with fears or ideas of their own, their first call is to Sam because they know he will excitably rally the right people, and be honest with them from the get-go. He doubles as Strategy Director and Team Cheerleader/Mascot, keeping spirits high even during the lows.
One thing I’ll always remember about Sam, besides his infectious enthusiasm is the quality of his briefs. Even early in his career he understood the importance of pointed, edgy insights, always circling the truth. One of the first briefs I received from Sam was so sharp I shared it with juniors as an example of a “great brief” for years to come. It was such a great balance of freshness and understanding of our target, the kind of brief you’re writing down ideas as he’s presenting it to you. He just cares, about all of it, and in turn the projects he was involved with were some of the best in the agency.
Sam is hugely talented, culturally attuned, and a massive effectiveness strategy nerd. He is the driving force behind much of A&W's award winning work and therefore a massive asset to any strategy team lucky enough to scoop him up.