Blackweek Presents: Seven for Seven with Walter T. Geer III
Seven for Seven is a new profile series hosted on Little Black Book with the founders of Blackweek, a new economic forum and marketing conference coming to NYC October 15-18.
Seven questions that dive into the minds behind the economic forum, and what’s in store. A little bit about them, a little bit about Blackweek, and a lot for everyone to think about.
The series continues with Walter T. Geer III, CCO at VMLY&R.
1. What did you want to be when you were 7?
Walter> All I wanted was to be like my father. He was an engineer for GE and Duracell. I didn’t know what an engineer did, but I always thought he was the coolest person I know. Coming downstairs I would always see him at his dimly list desk in the dark working on his IBM computer, while Miles Davis was playing in the background.
2. An example of someone throwing a line back to you in your career?
Walter> There have been quite a few people in my corner that have helped me in so many different areas of my career. If it wasn’t for my father, I wouldn’t be doing what I do today. Without me knowing, he applied for and landed me my first interview in the space, as a front end designer. I had no idea what a designer did, nor did I have the expertise. He told me that I would be able to create a career from advertising.
Jason Witt, Nada Stirratt, Julie Bernard, Antonio Lucio, Rob Reilly, have all been advocates that have helped me in so many ways and at so many different points in my career from earlier on, until recent. Outside of that group, I am being helped just about daily from my Black Madison Avenue crew…Andre Gray, Kaleeta McDade, Patrick Bennett, Sherman Winfield, Perry Fair and Shannon Washington.
My list of people that have thrown me lines is a long one. Success never happens alone.
3. Words to live by?
Walter> Do the things that make you happy, because if you died today you’re job would be posted before your obituary.
4. What made you get involved with Blackweek?
Walter> A simple glance at where our industry currently stands, when it comes to DEI.
5. What aren’t people talking about? What aren’t they saying out loud?
Walter> It’s not that we aren’t talking about issue aloud, it’s that people aren’t listening and create change at a fast enough pace.
6. Who can benefit most from attending Blackweek? Who needs to go?
Walter> Everyone.
7. Where’s your industry a year from now?
Walter> Progressing. More money is going back into Black owned creative agencies and media agencies. More Black executives are being put into executive level positions within holding agencies. People of colour feel more comfortable in the spaces they work.
