My Creative Hero: Pamela Maythenyi
Colleen D'Amico is VP/director of sales for Agency Source. Colleen joined the advertising industry under the leadership of her first mentor, Pamela Matheyi. Over the 30 years since, she was able to successfully develop, nurture, and retain some of the biggest and best names in the industry--some of whom have been with her since day one--entrusting her data knowledge of the who’s where, and doing what with whom, in the industry.
LBB> Who would you say is your creative hero?
Colleen> Well, I have many creative heroes, but I would start with Barbie. In 1965, my imagination and love of clothes took off with her! My mom was also my biggest inspiration.
But my most recent hero/shining star, the one who changed my life completely, is Pamela Maythenyi, my ex-employer and former BBDO agency producer back in the day. I started working for her in 1994. In the early 2000s, our 411 call-in service for agencies moved online. We were revolutionary in bringing creative work, spots, and credits online for the industry.
My other creative hero is Mary Wells Lawrence, who was the first female advertising agency owner in the 60s, and from my hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. She was revolutionary in the ad world, back when it was primarily a guy’s industry - she crashed many ceilings for sure.
LBB> How long has this person been important to you and what are your first memories of meeting them or coming across their work?
Colleen> I had no ad agency experience, and so when I went to interview with Pamela, she immediately said no. I said, you just have to know your product, and she hired me to work nights at first, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Initially, I sold a floppy disk of production companies to the advertising industry. That first job blossomed into a 30-year love affair in advertising. Pamela did some fun work for Burger King back in her producing days.
LBB> If it’s someone you personally know, how did you get to know them and how has your relationship evolved over the years? If you don’t know this person, how did you go about finding to learn more about them and their work?
Colleen> My friend went to interview with Pamela, but didn’t want the job, and sent me to interview. At the time, I was selling wedge anchors, toggle bolts, and epoxy systems to great clients in the construction industry, but as the only girl in an all-guy industry - while I was young and loved it - I worked for a male who said I would never make any more money than I was making then.
In 1994, I met Pamela. She had just started the business and as a team, we grew the company from a 411-type call-in service for agencies to an invaluable industry tool. I was the luckiest to experience the ad industry of the 90s; it was magic.
Now, AgencySource.tv is the most invaluable tool for the industry. Our clients, some that have been with me the entire 30-year ride, love the ease of use, the accuracy of the data and the results that come with putting in the work.
LBB> Why is the person such an inspiration to you?
Colleen> Well, I’d like to say it was because we were a lot alike, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I so admired her DRIVE. She knew what the industry needed at the time, back in 1989, and went for it.
BBDO/NY was her first client, and from there, we didn’t stop until almost every ad agency, production company, post, music, and rep company was on retainer with us - much like we’re pursuing here at AgencySource.tv! She was also so incredibly smart, and a class act to boot. I soaked her knowledge up like a sponge. To this day I adore her. She’s one of my favourite people in life and one of my biggest fans.
LBB> How does this person influence you in your approach to your creative work?
Colleen> She influenced me to be myself in my work, and not to push people too hard, especially when selling the service. I’d like to think she taught me to be graceful in sales, which I think has been my strong suit: I don’t push too hard, I know you need the product, you’ll see you need the product, and then you buy the product…and that’s it! It’s so invaluable to our platform and everyone who sees it, believes it, thankfully.
LBB> What piece or pieces of this person’s work do you keep coming back to and why?
Colleen> Well, I’ve been very blessed to have the most talented clients on my roster from Cliff Freeman, Goodby, JWT, Fallon, and the list goes on. I was so lucky to meet, travel, and view the most creative work in our culture. I was born in the '60s and was way into TV, so I’ve been a faithful watcher of commercials from then until now! Pamela inspired me to live my life the way I wanted to and encouraged all of her employees to spread their wings.
I know we’re supposed to talk about one person, but Ross [MacRae, CEO and founder] has the same business acumen and qualities as Pamela: business savvy, intelligent, and kind. Like Pamela, he tolerates my Italian/Irish nuttiness…sometimes ;). Welcome to AgencySource.tv, we’re excited to be working with you and look forward to having your team online with us!
