Meet our talented team.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
Playing the piano. I’ve always wanted to sit down at a grand piano in the lobby of a fancy hotel and make people stop what they’re doing because my musical ability is transformative.
What’s one thing most people wouldn’t guess about you?
I’m a former semi-professional dancer and wanted to major in musical theater.
Tell us about your pets.
I have two pug mixes, Day-Z Cleopatra and Onyx Pierre. I treat them like babies and my separation anxiety is pretty much on par with theirs. They even have their own Instagram.
List 5 things on your desk right now. Go!
Bagel mug of coffee, The Complete Novels of Jane Austen propping up my laptop, 3 varieties of post-its, spiral notebook, fruit-shaped erasers.
IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
Bottle-feeding kittens at a cat sanctuary and watching the show “Broad City” on repeat.
MOST HATED WORD?
“Bandwidth” and unfortunately, I must use it all day long.
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I know it’s superficial, but I love my commute. I live right across the street from Hothouse so I can walk to work. And it feels good to play a teeny, tiny role helping to combat global warming.
WHO’S YOUR BUSINESS HERO?
Rihanna. She’s an award winning and incredibly talented performer with highly successful lines of cosmetics, fragrances, lingerie and high-end clothing. With an estimated worth of $600 million, she’s the world’s richest female musician. Her music is my life’s soundtrack. And there may or may not be a Rihanna mural hanging on my bedroom wall.
IF YOU COULD SNAP YOUR FINGERS AND BECOME AN EXPERT IN SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Deep-sea diving!
MOST INFLUENTIAL WORK-RELATED BOOK?
There are two that are closely tied to me. “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office” was a great gift from a fellow intern and I revisit it every few years. Never gets old. Radical Candor is a recent addition that has also made the rotation list.
WHAT SONGS DO YOU HAVE ON REPEAT?
Speak to Me, Koryn Hawthorne and Not Another Love Song, Ella Mai
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE?
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou
What is special about the place where you grew up?
I grew up all over the East Coast, so I don’t have one place I call home. When I was young, we moved every 2-3 years (I went to 4 high schools in 3 states!), so home was where our stuff was. Maybe that explains why, once I moved to Atlanta after grad school, I never left.
What’s one thing most people wouldn’t guess about you?
I played rugby in college.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – a charming and colorful artist community and colonial town in central Mexico.
List 5 things on your desk right now.
Go! What’s NOT on my desk – a big hunk of labradorite, post-it notes, computers and keyboards and jewelry making tools and supplies. I always have something in progress.
BUCKET LIST VACATION DESTINATION?
Singapore! It’s where I was born, and I’ve always wanted to go back and visit.
JORTS—OK? NOT OK?
Unless you’re dressing up as a Florida Gators fan, NOPE
WHAT’S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE TAKEN?
Once you get helped up the ladder, turn around and help the person up behind you.
FAVORITE APP?
Instagram… I’m always on the gram, either looking at pictures or pursuing targeted ads.
Jay Cronin \ EVP, Managing Director
This is the ultimate people business… creativity, collaboration and focus.
IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
Tough call. Earlier in life, I wanted to be an architect but aspirationally, I would be a Master Sommelier.
FAVORITE TV SHOW GROWING UP
The Wonder Years—I still have a crush on Winnie. Shhh.
#1 TRAIT NEEDED TO PERFORM YOUR JOB
“Pativerance”—the perfect combination of patience and perseverance
MOST INFLUENTIAL WORK-RELATED BOOK
Design Thinking by Tim Brown. It fundamentally changed the way we think about design experience and puts a human-centered approach into solving business problems.
What did you want to be when you were small?
I went back and forth between a cartoon voice actor and an architect.
Describe your personality in 6-ish words
Emotionally intuitive with a dry sense of humor.
What’s a trip/vacation that had an impact on your life?
Studying abroad in England and traveling across Europe. I met so many people and experienced new cultures that changed my view of the world.
Most hated word
“Snowflake” as a derogatory term.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
When I’m not working, you’ll find me exploring Houston with my son (3.5yo) and Husband (undisclosed age). We love going to the park, the Zoo and the Natural History Museum – usually while drinking bubble tea.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN MEANING TO TRY BUT JUST HAVEN’T GOTTEN AROUND TO?
Fencing. I signed up for Fencing 101 every semester in college but always had to drop it to take a course required by my advertising major. I’m left-handed so I’d have an advantage!
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
In the early 1990s I was a baby model and was featured on the packaging for a Disney crib that haunted me for 15 years. If you don’t include that, I was a child model/actress from age 10-14 working mostly in radio and retail ads. So, you could say I’ve been paying taxes for a very long time.
Jay was born just outside of Boston on his mother’s dairy farm and, yes, they still deliver milk in glass bottles. He has worked for and with a range of international brands and agencies including the Boy Scouts of America, NFL, J. Walter Thompson, where he ran the account for the United States Marine Corps, RMG Connect and Oglivy, where he was integrated Global Business Director for Intercontinental Hotels Group. When he arrived at Hothouse in 2016, Jay brought with him the philosophy that great marketing applies creativity to the right opportunity, in other words, a bottle of milk is worthless if you deliver it to the wrong house.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
My biggest regret in life is that I wasn’t born a jazz piano prodigy
What did you want to be when you were small?
So many things. There was a Vet phase, Landscaper, Meteorologist, Forensic Scientist, Archaeologist. Then there was Interior Designer, Artist, Journalist / Writer, Photographer, Graphic Designer. I’ve always been interested in and fascinated by multiple fields of work. My favorite was the Pirate phase, though.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success?
My ability to not take things personally has gotten me far. It’s also saved me a lot of wasted energy.
After holding leadership roles at Turner Network Television, NIKE and American Express, Jon found himself frustrated with agencies that lacked industry insights, fresh ideas and flexibility. So, naturally, he started an agency of his own built around creativity, unlocking insights and going above and beyond for his clients. He loves talking marketing, soccer and paddle boarding, but not as much as he loves raising his two sons with his wife Sheri. You’ve got to draw the line somewhere.
Jon Katinsky \ President
In our fast-changing world, the future belongs to the curious.
Do you collect anything?
Mason jars and all glass containers to repurpose them and turn into glassware/decor.
What’s one thing most people wouldn’t guess about you?
I grew up as a competitive dancer and got the chance to perform with Demi Lovato and DJ Unk!
What’s the best professional advice you’ve taken?
The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds, or your brain will stop you. 5-4-3-2-1-GO!
What’s something you’ve done, but will never do again?
I drove 36 hours to Montana just to fish. I will never sit in a car that long again!
What’s the best professional advice you’ve taken?
Find time to go on the offense. Creative can be a reaction-based job, so find time each day to be proactive.
Tell us about your pets
I have two dogs, Odie and Sadie. Their energy is unmatched, but they are the sweetest pups you will ever meet!
IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
Showrunner for a brilliant, but soon to be cancelled cult TV show.
MOST HATED WORD
Anything with Web or Cyber shoved in it—“Webinar,” “cewebrity,” “cyberpoet,” etc.
#1 TRAIT NEEDED TO PERFORM YOUR JOB
Empathy. The ability to see the needs of all stakeholders and make sure they are being prioritized and met with the user experience.
FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
“Art is never finished, it’s abandoned.”—Albert Giacommetti
BUCKET LIST VACATION DESTINATION?
Thailand
BEST MOVIE QUOTE
“You can’t handle the truth.” – A Few Good Men
LIST 5 THINGS ON YOUR DESK RIGHT NOW. GO!
Calculator, Bluetooth speaker, pictures of my nieces, water and cell phone
MOST VISITED WEBSITE?
Amazon
IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I’d be a rock star with a voice like Lauryn Hill OR I’d be an animal trainer OR I’d be a Saturday Night Live cast member.
CELEBRITY DOPPELGÄNGER
Gwen Stefani, when I was younger. She doesn’t age. Or Kristen Wiig? I just love her, so I like to pretend that we’re similar. Is that weird?
WHAT’S YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION?
Tumblr, although more on reddit the last year or so. I love subs like Today I Learned and Whoa Dude.
BEST COMMERCIAL YOU’VE EVER SEEN
I love commercials!!! I like the Allstate campaign of being protected against “mayhem like me.” I also like the Geico “Words can really hurt you” spot.
Growing up in a family that moved to Brooklyn from Italy, Nick’s parents valued hard work and responsibility, while his friendships were based on a loyalty that ultimately resulted in an amazing 80’s hair band. A great mix for a marketing career that began with promotional work for Duran Duran and John Cougar Mellencamp. Taking a job as a program director, Nick created content for a college television network startup that soon became MTV-U, working with the likes of Radiohead, ColdPlay, and the Black Eyed Peas. This experience in entertainment was a natural fit when he came to Hothouse in 2004, and in the time since, he’s helped build an agency that not surprisingly celebrates hard work, creativity and building strong relationships with our clients.
BUCKET LIST VACATION DESTINATION?
Kalokairi, the made-up Greek island where the 2008 film “Mamma Mia!” takes place. Fun fact: The island where is movie was filmed is called Skopelos.
FAVORITE TV SHOW GROWING UP?
Boy Meets World, hands down. All seven seasons. “Wandering down this road that we call lifeeeee”
#1 TRAIT NEEDED TO PERFORM YOUR JOB?
Flexibility, patience and love of spreadsheets.
FAVORITE APP?
According to my phone’s battery usage stats, I spend most of my time in my YouTube app – which feels accurate.
WHAT SONG DO YOU HAVE ON REPEAT?
“Eyes of the World” by Grateful Dead. Well, any song by the Grateful Dead, really. But this one stands out because “sometimes we live no particular way but our own,” which is a great reminder to always stay true to oneself.
SPIRIT ANIMAL?
Without a doubt my dog, Winston. He’s an extrovert. Hates the rain. Mornings definitely aren’t his thing. And at a party, you’ll probably find him by the hors d’oeuvres.
#1 TRAIT NEEDED TO PERFORM YOUR JOB?
Empathy – for the client, your team, for the consumer. Great marketing is about developing an emotional connection, and having a deep understanding to engage with people in an authentic way.
FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE?
“If it’s worth playing, it’s worth playing loud.” – Mickey Hart
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN A 6-WORD SENTENCE
Introverted extrovert searching for karaoke night.
CELEBRITY DOPPELGÄNGER
I have been told I look like Annette Benning, but I got it more when I had short hair. The other option is Chelsea Clinton. Neither answer is appealing to me.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR SIGNATURE REALLY SAY?
If you misuse they’re, their or there, I will cut you.
WHO’S YOUR BUSINESS HERO?
My dad—he taught himself computer programming and eventually worked his way up to owning his own business. He taught me everything I know. (But I still won’t wear suits to the office, Dad. Let it go.)
IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I’d be a teacher and high school coach, because I love mentoring kids. On any given weekend, you can find me out on the lacrosse field with my boys.
WHAT SONG DO YOU HAVE ON REPEAT?
Two of them: Release by Pearl Jam and Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.
WHAT’S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE TAKEN?
Don’t be afraid to take chances.
MOST INFLUENTIAL WORK-RELATED BOOK
Legacy by James Kerr. He delves into the story of New Zealand’s All Blacks to illustrate 15 vital business lessons, and I think any leader should read this book.
IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
No question, I’d be the general manager of the Buffalo Bills. I’m a huge football nut and growing up in western New York, the Bills have been my team (unfortunately) since I was a little kid. I think I’d make a damn good GM. I can’t be any worse than what they’ve got in there now! But since that is pretty much out of the question, I’ll have to get my thrills playing fantasy football.
SONG YOU’D LIKE TO REMOVE FROM EXISTENCE
Anything written or performed by Jake Paul. I mean seriously, how does this guy have a following of 10-year old girls?
WHAT’S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE TAKEN?
One of my first bosses always told me to “show, don’t tell.” It is much more powerful when you find a way to connect with someone through action, thoughts, senses or feelings.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
Flea markets, airshows, car shows, museums, working on my house, Whole Foods and chasing my daughter across the entire city.
MOST HATED WORD
“NO”—and the worst part is, I have to say it all the time because I’m a Dad.
#1 TRAIT NEEDED TO PERFORM YOUR JOB
You must be flexible. Not the physical kind. I can’t even touch my toes.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE NEWBIES IN THIS FIELD?
Be interesting and interested.
Nick Schittone \ Chief Growth Officer
It’s in the human spirit where we find the spark to give brands a voice to connect with people and make their lives better.
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