Editor’s Note: “The Reel Black List” is our annual spotlight of brothers and sisters in the worlds of advertising, film, TV, music, radio and media who are making a difference through their contributions and creativity daily. For the next 29 days, you will be able to celebrate wonderful human beings, like the talented Creative Director and musician, David Pilgrim.
David is an exceptionally talented and entrepreneurial advertising professional with a diverse skill set encompassing Creative Management and expertise in Ethnic/Cultural Consumer behavior. His career began at Ogilvy and Mather NY, where he developed his skills working on prominent accounts such as Merck, Kraft, Post, Seagram’s, Hardee’s, and American Express.
During his tenure at NYC’s UWG, David led numerous multicultural initiatives for major brands like Bank Of America, Pepsi, AT&T, Astra Zeneca, Motorola, and Mars/M&M, with notable contributions to Colgate-Palmolive and Ford Motor Company campaigns.
As Chief Creative Officer at Footsteps LLC, David continued to make strides in the multicultural space, working with brands such as Lowe’s, Gillette, Diageo, Nissan/Infiniti, Visa, and PNC Bank. His return to the general market saw him spearheading social media advertising efforts for renowned brands like Coach, Zappos, American Eagle, Express, Marshalls, and Aerie as the Group Creative Director of Vaynermedia’s Fashion Retail pod.
Currently freelancing in suburban Brooklyn, David balances his professional endeavors with his passion for music, playing in various NYC Rock, Reggae, and Funk bands while still retaining his Barbadian accent. His multifaceted talents and deep industry experience make him a valuable asset in any creative or strategic endeavor.
Let’s meet David!
What’s your origin story?
I grew up in Barbados drawing and painting and performing on stage whenever I could. My parents mortgaged their house and sent me to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where I studied graphic design. I’ve lived in NYC ever since.
How did you get into advertising?
Kind of by accident. My first job was at Ogilvy & Mather New York as an advertising Art Director in spite of my design degree. I loved it the longer I did it and I’m still here.
What did your parents think you would be?
Something Art-related. I was a kid who drew from the first day, and my mother especially leaned into that and made sure I always had supplies, inspiration and above all, emotional support.
Who were your mentors?
Certainly both my parents, who were teachers of French and History. They gave me a love for language and storytelling that has sustained me through my entire career. I had a teacher at Pratt named Charles Goslin, who taught me that great solutions are individual and numerous, there is no one way. Relatively late in my career, I had the pleasure of working for a Creative Director named Dianne Campbell.
I watched her get the results she wanted on film shoots and print shoots by using a deft mixture of charm and firmness that I folded into my own palette. She’s a boss. I play in a band with a musician called V. Jeffrey Smith. He taught me to try to have fun in all I do, and to not judge people or their journey harshly. He’s practically a yogi.
Bravest thing you’ve done?
Leave Barbados at 20 to go to Art school in NYC. I left my way of life behind, I left all my family behind and I left my friends behind. Thankfully I was favorably changed by the experience. I believe myself very lucky and privileged to have gotten that chance.
How do you handle failure?
Firstly, go off and cry a little lol. What’s the definition of failure? Context is everything. I have a tendency to see things long-term, so often momentary lapses are learning opportunities. I do think that as a Black person there is additional pressure to conform to conventional notions of success or failure, but I see that as a trap and try to avoid it.
What’s a product or service that you are dying to do a campaign for?
I’ve been advertising a long time, so I’ve worked on nearly every kind of business. I’ve always wondered about marketing musical instruments, because they tend to be sold using testimonials, and I feel that there are better ideas out there. Also, sales of musical instruments are in deep decline and I’d love to be one of the people to help change that.
Who is a talent, actor, director or writer, you are dying to work with?
I’d love to work with Jeffrey Wright, who has a phenomenal range. Folks have told me I vaguely resemble him, so there may be vanity there lol. Aubrey Plaza, seems brilliant to me. Craig Ferguson lol. Director-wise; Ryan Coogler, James Gunn or the Russo brothers.
Working on comic book movies is hard, but they’ve all managed to take middling source material and make it both compelling and entertaining, which is, I think, harder than some other genres. Ava DuVernay too. Might be fun to do an Apatow vehicle.
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon is over-indexing on Black and Hispanic audiences. Why?
I haven’t seen the movie, only the trailer. Therefore, I’m gonna make a rash judgment: Zack Snyder makes really shiny beautiful things, the trailer has a woman-led, diverse-looking cast, and the action pivots around the underdog succeeding.
This is a great moment for all those things. That’s my take. That said, while the technical aspect of his work is flawless and energetic, to me it doesn’t always deliver rich character development, so I tend to avoid his films, as I’m a character person.
Lunch, Happy Hour or Dinner
Well, obviously dinner, cause that would allow me the longest time to spend. Having said that, I’d love to spend that time with who? Maybe Toussaint l’Overture of Haiti, Grace Jones, Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire? How did they get over? I know they all got stories lol.
You would give up your career to go on tour and perform with what singer/band?
EWF or Parliament- Funkadelic. Both. That way I could run the gamut of the human experience lol.
Colman Domingo is a national treasure. Yes or No.
Yes, absolutely. And he’s been patiently waiting for us to notice the broad range of characters he’s been entrusted with, and how he’s succeeded effortlessly. The quiet dignity with which he carries himself is admirable. He seems to be all about the work.
Nosebleed seats for Beyoncé or front-row tickets for Taylor Swift?
I’m not a massive fan of either one, but given the choice, Beyoncé. I feel as if Taylor Swift is still very much self-directed in her career and this may change, but I feel it’s very much all about her right now. I’m not her target.
Conversely, Beyoncé seems outwardly directed to change her industry and the perception of Black people within it, which I wholeheartedly endorse. I also associate Beyoncé more with innovation, than I do Taylor Swift. That’s my choice.
REELated: Read about others on The Reel Black List
What are your guilty pleasures?
Cartoonist Kayfabe on YouTube, just two funny comic book makers talking about comic books. They offer great critiques on creators, storytelling and the production of different comic books over the last 60 years. Also a podcast, The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll in 500 songs.
It’s exactly what that says, but the Creator bends over backward to do his own research and not recycle the normal silly biases of rock ‘n’ roll reportage. He is hyper-aware of the existence of women and people of color in Pop music history and makes sure everyone gets a fair reading, warts and all. I listen daily. Cheap milk chocolate sigh.
What’s brewing for your 2024?
Trying to create a series of platforms for younger people of color to prosper in advertising. Advertising has a horrible, horrible track record of diversity. With the advent of AI, Blackcreators perennially getting ripped off and the conservative backlash against diversity initiatives, something has to be done.
Also want to stay on top of all the changes taking place in culture and technology, specifically with regard to marketing as things are changing super rapidly. As a friend of my dad used to say “Just trying to stay relevant.” That’s it!! Thanks for having me!
Nominate Someone You Know For The 6th Annual REEL WOMEN
