The following bio was written by an agent. (PR 101: Get someone else to talk well about you!)
In one form or another, Steffan has been writing all of his life. But then, advertising runs in his family.
Below you see him in his father’s capable hands, the living legend, Larry Postaer. BTW, that’s Jeremy in Mom’s arms. He last served as an AD/GCD at JWT in NY. As for Mom, she’s clearly a hottie. And French. She did time at FCB (art buyer) before retiring in o4.
Now Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of one of the world’s largest advertising concerns, Euro RSCG Chicago whose clients include Citibank, Barilla, Potbelly Sandwiches, Michelob Beers, Effen Vodka and more. Steffan is responsible for their overall creative leadership and quality of the creative product.
Prior to joining Euro RSCG, Steffan was Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of LBWorks (a Leo Burnett company), overseeing creative for their full client roster including Altoids, Handspring, Lexmark and Maytag. Prior to this position, he served as Executive Vice President and Executive Creative Director at Leo Burnett USA, and was a member of Leo Burnett USA’s Creative Management Board responsible for raising the creative quality at the agency.
He is the recipient of advertising’s most prestigious awards including a Kelly Award, Best of Show, and gold and silver awards at competitions including the One Show, the Addys, and a Cannes Gold Lion.
A copywriter by trade, he is perhaps best known for his provocative work on behalf of Altoids, The Curiously Strong Mints.
Other moments in his career include co-authoring the famous “Not your father’s Oldsmobile” campaign for General Motors and penning a commercial for Heinz featuring a teen-aged Matt LaBlanc. The spot won a gold lion at Cannes. (It also launched “Joey’s” career, which he now appears to be un-launching.)
Steffan is a desired speaker and has traveled all over the world giving diverse and often provocative talks related to his profession. Understandably, a favorite topic is the ‘Untold True Story Behind The Scenes of Altoids.’ Attached is Steff’s acceptance speech for receiving Hall of Fame honors in 2008 for his Altoids campaign at the Obie Awards in Miami.
At the University of Wisconsin, where he majored in film and creative writing, he penned music reviews and wrote for the university’s conservative and liberal newspapers.
Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago to join Leo Burnett as a copywriter.
Steffan’s short stories have been included in the 1994 and 1995 editions of New Voices in Poetry and Prose. His first novel, The Last Generation, was published by the Inkwater Press. The story was later optioned by Touchstone Television for a TV series. The website for this novel is lastgeneration.net and is tagged on this blog.
Steffan is currently finishing a new novel, Sweet by Design, and is producing his second novel, The Happy Soul Industry.
To inquire about these books and opportunities therein, please call 312-320-9902 or email the author at Steffan1@rcn.com
The views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer…Obviously. -SRP
February 29, 2008 at 6:39 am
April 8, 2008 at 4:32 am
Hey, loved your article about “fear” in advertising. It’s funny. I’ve had ads killed, but I’ve never been killed or fired for showing brave work. Amazing how many creatives, actually, live by fear.
Wanted to tell you though, that JFK did not state “you have nothing to fear but fear itself” but that was Franklin D. during the depression. However, I understand that he himself borrowed that phrase.
Whatever. Worth repeating.
Naomi
April 8, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Thank you, Naomi.
FDR not JFK.
SRP
May 9, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Stephan
While fresh in your mind…I wanted to extend a sincere thanks for spending your evening last night helping us impressionable and aspiring creatives navigate the ad world. I had a chance to sit down with you 2nd period, 1st round (something like that??). We talked about getting in touch via “Gods of Advertising.” Great site by the way.
I also left you with a leave behind, that will function great as a coaster or small cutting board.
I would like the opportunity to speak further, show my book (with revisions), and send a book and resume.
My dream is to be a creative at an agency such as Euro RSCG Chicago.
That simple. If there is another way to get in touch. Let me know.
Most importantly, I wanted to thank you for your time last night.
Aspiring creative,
Nick Bruskewitz
njbrusk@gmail.com
May 9, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Nick-
You have a good book. we’ll talk.
PS: you should care enough to spell my name right. I mean it’s on the damn blog!
SRP
May 12, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Steffan-
Ouch!! (Knocking head on desk.)
I hope my in person impression was better than that careless slip.
Thanks. I look forward to speaking with you further.
Nick Bruskewitz
njbrusk@gmail.com
May 13, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Steffan,
Is that guy with angel wings peeing in the corner or is that just a shadow?? If it’s the former then it’s a good thing he took his halo off. Barbaric.
Thanks for getting back to me,
Ari
May 13, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Angel is not peeing in the corner. That would be disrespectful…though funny.
SRP
May 22, 2008 at 6:58 am
Dear Mr.Postaer,
You liked my Listerine ads!(that’s what you want to tell you) I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with you at portfolio night, since then I have made some changes to my book. I would appreciate the chance to share them with and hopefully get some further advice. Also maybe we could figure out the dilemma of my Kibblesn’Bit ads. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Pamela Feingold (Copywriter)
May 22, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Pam-
Well this is one way to reach me…
E me at work about setting up an interview: Steffan.postaer@eurorscg.com
And Good Luck!
May 30, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hello Steffan,
I sent you an e-mail about a week ago regarding setting up an interview and also attached my portfolio. I understand you are probably exceedingly busy, I just wanted to make sure you recieved my e-mail. I can resend it no problem.
Thanks again,
Pamela Feingold
May 30, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Pam-
Please resend…
Sorry, am very busy
SRP
July 22, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Mr. Postaer,
I met with you a few months back at Portfolio Night 6. I have made some changes, replaced a few things, added some ambient and interactive pieces. I would appreciate the chance to show this revised edition, as well as get any feedback you might have. I know this is a busy time of year…. thanks for your time.
Go badgers!
Aspiring Creative,
Nick Bruskewitz
njbrusk@gmail.com
July 23, 2008 at 2:37 am
Nick-
I am busy.
Perhaps in early August we can get together.
Try me then, okay?
Steffan