January 6th, 2012
New Year and new beginnings here at Sharp, and we’re excited to add Terry Seitz to our management team. Amidst the frenzy of jumping into 2012, Terry took a minute to answer my hard-hitting questions…
LH: Tell us a little about your background. Did you always want to be an ad man?
TS: Actually when I was growing up I wanted to be a garbage man (yes a garbage man). During the summers down at the Shore my grandmother and I would wake up at 5:30am, walk to the Boardwalk and watch the various trucks in action. I used to think the guys hanging off the back were action figures of some kind. The best part of it was on the walk back home we used to pick up donuts and coffee and for the rest of the family. I got into the business after coming to my senses literally and figuratively 
LH: You’ve worked across the spectrum of Advertising and Media, where there have already been big changes. How do you see these disciplines continuing to evolve?
TS: I think there’s a rush from both sides (Advertising and Media) back to the “middle” where both disciplines are trying to own the key marketing idea. I say this because with margins being ever more squeezed and both disciplines staffing up with folks from across the aisle the race to uncover the killer insights and ideas are the main ways they will continue to drive revenue (and dare I say remain relevant) in an increasingly automated world.
LH: What was your favorite B-School class? What from school are you most excited to bring to Sharp?
TS: My favorite class was corporate finance to be honest. Not the sexiest class but the one that provided me with the foundational chops to help understand business (and the running of one) from a numbers perspective. After all I’ve spent most of my career on the creative/account management side which hails from a different side of the brain. In terms of bringing some of NYU Stern to Sharp well we’re already here (as a wonderful and long standing client)… But in terms of my education I’m excited to bring a different sort of thinking that comes from sitting in such varied classes like Strategy, Operations, Foundations of Entrepreneurship and Marketing.
LH: And we’re excited to have you. Back to your Left Brain. If you could only read three pubs/sites each day, what would they be?
TS: WSJ, Adage and Fox Soccer.com. The first keeps me informed of the general business world that we live and operate in; the second focuses on the industry Sharp is making waves in; and the third is what I peruse during my 10 minute lunch break at my desk.
LH: OK, last one. As you may know, the Sharpies are musically inclined. All time favorite albums?
TS: Truth be told I’m a huge Who fan so anything and everything they’ve ever put out could be a contender for favorite album. As I told Bob the other day, there’s something incredibly personal about music and for me the Who have provided the soundtrack to my life (and it’s interesting because much of what they made happened well before I was even born). So from “The Punk Meets The Godfather” to “Relay” to “Tommy” I love that music because it truly is “The Real Me.”
Stay tuned for more from Terry in upcoming months!