McCanners of New York: Molly Schenkel
Welcome to 'McCanners of New York', a series that delves into the lives of the talent behind McCann New York's greatest work. Featuring employees across departments and various roles, this series is an exploration of their personal stories, side-hustles, passions and the projects they cherish.
'McCanners of New York' offers a glimpse into the lives of these talented advertisers, showcasing both their professional and personal journeys.
In this edition, we’re getting to know Molly Schenkel, art director, McCann New York.
Q> Why did you decide to pursue a career in Advertising?
Molly> I always had a big passion for all things creative. In college, I studied design and photography and then worked as a graphic designer at a few agencies. I knew that I wanted to grow to be an art director/creative director like those I’d worked with. During covid, I did ad school, freelance graphic design and wedding photography on the side, and am beyond thankful for taking the leap into advertising.
Q> Outside of work, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that you're particularly passionate about? Has this hobby/passion influenced your work in advertising at all?
Molly> I have multiple hobbies, whether it be writing piano music, photography, woodworking, making jewellery, drawing and scribble art. I also absolutely love the outdoors and fishing, so I go outside to fish whenever possible. I always thought that having multiple outlets was a bad thing, but there’s so much that carries into work from music theory to music briefs, nature and the environment to proactive thinking, photography to understanding how things are thought out behind the lens, handiwork to just being hands-on in execution.
Q> Can you share a project or campaign you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?
Molly> Last year, one of our shoots for State Street Global Advisors was in Prague for a SPDR® Gold MiniShares® Trust (GLDM®) campaign. We got to build a cave from scratch and create elements in the production world that changed the way I look at and dive into new projects. We shot our “cave” half inside of a real cave, half in the cave we had built on set, and had our wind machine and “rain” creating quite a storm for us. I love seeing how sets and scenes come together and the amount of work that goes behind making just one piece of content.
Q> What advice would you give to someone aspiring to pursue a career in advertising, especially at a large agency like McCann?
Molly> Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stay curious about the world around you and be true to who you are and your own life experiences. Everyone has a unique perspective and emotions to bring to the table, and real emotions are what move people.
Q> What is your favourite area in NYC and why?
Molly> I’d have to say my favourite area is actually Jersey City. It’s not NYC, but is my little sanctuary outside of Manhattan. There is a relaxed vibe and it has such easy access to everything I enjoy! Super close to the airport, easy to throw in some gear and take a train up north to fish, and there are so many places to bike or just take my camera on a walk.
Q> If you could recommend one hidden gem in NYC that not many people know about, what would it be?
Molly> Again, this isn’t in Manhattan, but Liberty State Park is such a hidden gem. I’m always looking for different views to see the city from and this is hands down my favourite. I bike or walk down there almost every day when the weather is nice and love how open the space is.
