Unexpected Intros: Michael Goldstein

At DDB, we have a simple belief. That Unexpected Works. It means that the best idea is the one you never saw coming. The thing that catches you so off guard that you can‘t look away. And the only path to genuinely unexpected works is through creativity. 

And in order to create awesome works, you need awesome people. Because you can’t make the unexpected if you only work with the usual suspects. In this Unexpected Intros series, we take a peek behind the curtain at some of the diverse thinkers that make up our network, and validate Bill Bernbach’s notion that an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it. 

1. Name, Title, Office

Michael Goldstein, head of communications strategy, San Francisco.

2. Introduce yourself in three emojis. 

   🦘 🤷🏻‍♂️🍸

3. What was your very first job? 

I was a teenage swim coach for young kids in my area around Sydney Australia, one of the parents of the kids was David Droga’s brother, who offered me an intro which I declined as I had an ‘important party’ to head to that night. Still kicking myself for that one. 

4. How did you wind up in advertising? 

Whilst doing anything to avoid studying for my final school exams I read an article in the economist about a digital advertising agency, thought it was cool and applied for an internship there. That eventually led to an internship at Australia’s first social media agency which led to my first job. 

5. Piece of creative that inspires you? 

Most of the work that comes out of MSCHF, it feels very punk, almost always slightly illegal and all with a great sense of humor too. I love the Poolsuite NFT project, the branding of Vacation Sunscreen and the conceptual projects of the KHole alumni, most notably KNOTS by Emily Segal 

6. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to? 

I’m reading the New Yorker interview series, watching Murderville and listening to Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill on repeat

7. What’s a goal/hope/dream of yours?

Goal: Introduce as many brands to the metaverse as possible in the next two years. Hope: That I make famous campaigns 'till I retire. Dream: Close Berghain