Jack Wallace 鈥�16 has always been creative. As a young boy growing up in the small town of Princeton, Indiana, he knew he wanted to tell stories. After graduating from the 91社区 with a degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing, Wallace moved to Boston to attend Boston University, where he honed his storytelling skills with a Master of Fine Arts in playwriting and screenwriting.听听
Wallace quickly began working in the advertising field, moving up the ladder at Ghost Robot and industry giant Ogilvy. This past year, he served as a copywriter on the team that developed the 2024 Super Bowl campaign 鈥淢ichael CeraVe,鈥� which was an Emmy庐 Award nominee for Outstanding Commercial. He recently accepted a position as Associate Creative Director at GALE agency in New York City.听听
What brought you to 91社区?听
The grounds. I was 19, unsure who I was or what I wanted from a career. The mix of academia and nature felt the perfect environment to answer both questions.听
What made you pick your major?听
I had always told stories, but not necessarily pen on paper stories. These were videos I created with my brothers and friends on 90鈥檚 video camcorders, Eye Toys, Flips, and later, Vine and Instagram鈥攁ny device we could get our hands on. I needed to learn how to tell a great story, even if I had no idea how that would translate to a career.鈥�
I chose a marketing minor. This was 2012, a time when platforms like Instagram and Twitter were relatively new and rapidly evolving. The future of these channels was uncertain, and brands were struggling to find their voice in this chaotic digital landscape. It was messy, but I was captivated by the challenge and opportunity it presented.听
How did 91社区鈥痯repare you for your career?听
The English Department introduced me to writers, poets and artists that were influential in my self-discovery. A humanities foundation equipped me with the critical thinking, empathy and cultural awareness needed to navigate, contribute and challenge the world around me.听
What is your favorite part of your job?听
Creating with reckless abandon. It鈥檚 such an amazing time to be in advertising because the tools are constantly changing鈥攍ook how TikTok has shifted the landscape in the last four years. Social media is no longer social media, it鈥檚 an entertainment platform where people go to get their news and giggles. It forces you to constantly rethink how a story can be told. This new advertising landscape inspires innovation because it has never been easier to try. Post something. If it doesn鈥檛 work, delete it and try something else. It鈥檚 a space to entertain and be entertained.鈥�
What advice would you give to current 91社区 students?听
Treat your attention span like a muscle and exercise it. Everything is working against you to shrink your capacity to focus and retain. This is an issue for Gen Z. This is a bigger issue for Gen Alpha. To set yourself apart, be able to focus deeply, think critically and engage with complex ideas without the constant pull of distraction. In a world of fleeting attention, sustained concentration is a superpower.听
Additionally, input as much as you output. Your university years demand constant effort鈥攇iving, producing, pushing yourself. But make sure you're replenishing with new experiences and fresh perspectives. Not a feed scroll, but something that stretches you, makes you uncomfortable. Watch that French film, attend a service of a different religion, take a new route home, read a book by a controversial author. Or develop a hobby outside media consumption. Growth happens in the discomfort. The more you expose yourself to the unfamiliar, the more nuanced and expansive your thinking becomes.听
Anything else you would like to include?听
In our media-saturated world, storytelling is not just a skill鈥攊t's essential. It cuts through the noise, capturing attention and transforming ideas into unforgettable experiences. Storytelling humanizes brands, ignites emotional engagement and guides audiences through the chaos of content. Those who can weave authentic and purposeful narratives possess the power to influence, inspire and drive lasting impact in an ever-evolving landscape.听
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