Episode Overview
Matt Peterson shares his journey from his inspiration as a college radio marketing director to a career as a Creative Director at Wieden+Kennedy. From there he founded his own agency and then came to Catalysis. Along the way, he talks about what worked and where Creative is going. Smaller agencies deliver the most inspiring creative while using AI to build efficiencies and compete with the global mega-agencies.
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Matt Peterson Bio
With over 20 years of experience as a creative director and agency owner, Matt began his career at Hammerquist & Saffel in his hometown of Seattle, creating award-winning work for K2 Skis, Sims Snowboards and Callaway Golf. He then joined Wieden+Kennedy in Portland where Miller, Nike and Henry Weinhard’s were his muses. After a stint at StrawberryFrog in Amsterdam, Matt opened Creature with fellow University of Puget Sound alum Jim Haven. During Creature’s 14 years, Matt brought a transformative approach to advertising for brands including Starbucks, Google, HBO, Pacifico Beer, Dickies, HP, Jansport and Pepsi. Matt then assumed the post of Executive Creative Director at The Wexley School for Girls, working on digital, branding and experiential campaigns for Amazon, Shimano, PCC Community Markets, Blizzard Entertainment, Humm Kombucha and Sparkling ICE. Today, Matt leads Catalysis’ B2C focused clients such as Verity Credit Union, LOGE Camps, Redhook Beer, Microsoft and others.
Beverage Of Choice
Scratch Margarita: A classic cocktail made the way it should be, fresh, simple, and perfectly balanced. Crafted with quality tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a touch of orange liqueur, it delivers a bright citrus bite with just the right hint of sweetness. Clean, crisp, and refreshing, it’s a timeless margarita that lets the real ingredients shine. Best with a salted rim.
Themes
Creativity, Brand storytelling, Community marketing, Guerrila marketing, Advertising careers, Agency culture, AI and marketing innovationBrand Drops
Pacifico Beer, Jose Cuervo, Redhook, K2 Skis, Black Rock, Nike, Miller Beer, March Madness, Microsoft, Wieden and Kennedy, Round Table Pizza, Henery Wineheart Beer, Strawberry Frog, Kreature, Professional Bowlers Association, Kraken, Umpqua Bank, Costco, Abercrombie and Fitch, North Face, Patagonia, Weyerhauser, Milgard, Becks, Cap Gemini, Goodby Silverstein, Charleston Chew
About this podcast
SpeakEasy is a podcast about lessons learned in the marketing trenches. Hosted by Doug Stanley-Hunt, founder of Catalysis, the series features informal conversations with creative leaders and industry veterans, recorded over a drink of their choice. Each episode is filmed in the Cloakroom, a speakeasy tucked into the basement of Catalysis’ home inside a 120-year-old former church.
Follow our show on LinkedIn and Instagram @CatalysisPNW, and share your thoughts with us by emailing speakeasy@catalysis.com.
Want to see the Cloakroom in person? All clients and guests get a complimentary visit and beverage of choice.