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 Bader Rutter Group Creative Director, Mark Graham.
Mark is a seasoned Group Creative Director at Bader Rutter, boasting two decades of expertise in advertising and marketing. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated proficiency as a Creative Director and Art Director, overseeing teams that conceive and execute fully-integrated campaigns aimed at fostering business growth for clients of varying sizes.
Mark’s professional ethos revolves around fostering work that not only generates tangible results but also drives innovation within the market. His educational background includes graduating from the Portfolio Center / Miami Ad School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he honed his skills and developed a keen appreciation for quality design, meticulous craftsmanship, and the intricate creative development process.
He remains deeply committed to exploring and leveraging traditional, digital, and experiential channels to craft compelling narratives and experiences for the brands he serves. Mark Graham’s dedication to excellence and passion for pushing creative boundaries make him a valuable asset in the advertising and marketing landscape.
What’s your origin story?
I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. How ‘bout those CHIEEEEFS!!! My family was a great influence on my upbringing. My parents were young yet determined; hardships abounded but they stayed success-driven. My family was proud.
They all saw a future for me that would not be without their support and nurturing. For that, I’m forever grateful. I attended and graduated from the University of Missouri-School of Journalism. From there, I went directly to the Portfolio Center – Miami Ad School in Atlanta, Georgia and honed my craft of Art Direction.
My career took me to New York then Chicago where I’ve pretty much worked on everything. I have seen a lot. And worked with a wealth of exceptional people. Again, forever grateful.
How did you get into your industry?
I will retell and credit this brutha every time I have the chance: Brandon Pendleton. I had no interest in the profession before my frat brother suggested it.
I feel the creative industry is just now cresting into a vision for young Black seekers. But back in the day? Forget about it.
We were together at the University of Missouri; he was starting the Journalism School and knew about the ad program. I was into design. Until then, I hadn’t put together that my talent of pairing image and word was an actual thing beyond art. I mean, we see ads, we see commercials, we’re aware of them, but who thinks about what they’re made and who created them? Especially when you’re observing a world that’s not your own.
But one day he said, “You know, I think you need to look into advertising”. The immediate image in my head was a Madison Ave.-looking dude. This is before Don Draper was an actual character brimming with cool who educated the rest of the world what an ad person did. In my mind, it was the antithesis of what I wanted to be. “Suit? “F*** that. I’m creative.” Then I read what an art director did. That was it. Right there. I rubbed a dull thing and it shined back at me. The rest is history.
What did your parents think you would be?
I don’t know if they had any idea. I’m sure they prayed on it. Definitely something creative.
Who were your mentors?
I’ve been blessed and fortunate enough to say: My Parents. Also Spike Lee and Hip Hop.
Bravest thing you’ve done?
1. Ask my wife to marry me.
2. Throw myself into the hands of a school I barely knew anything about – Portfolio Center before it was Miami Ad School – Atlanta
How do you handle failure?
Get up. It’s that simple. As much as it hurts – you gotta get up.
What’s a product or service that you are dying to do a campaign for?
My father’s an awesome thinker and natural Black historian. I want to help bring one of his story ideas to life in book form.
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon is over-indexing on Black and Hispanic audiences. Why?
It’s a story of struggle with people of color at the center. Throw in the growing acceptance and popularity of nerd culture. As a sci-fi fan and a lover of afro-futurism – I was like “hell yeah.”
Now, I’m also uppity. So, I hate to admit it, but I had a hard time getting past the immediate cheese in the first episode. Gimme some time. I might give it another shot.
Lunch, Happy Hour or Dinner
J Dilla
You would give up your career to go on tour and perform with what singer/band?
Tribe – all day.
Colman Domingo is a national treasure. Yes or No?
Not yet. Brutha is a dope actor. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE him as Strand! So deep and complex. His moon is rising. Dope! But not yet.
Nosebleed seats for Beyoncé or front-row tickets for Taylor Swift?
REELated: Read about others on The Reel Black List
What are your guilty pleasures?
Hours of digital crate digging. Building or fixing any-damn-thing. If I did it all over again, I might be your neighborhood carpenter.
What’s brewing for your 2024?
Figure out how to do more of the above. The older I get the more I appreciate the importance of happiness. As something that is precious and extremely elusive. As a crucial variable at the center of our mental health, and consequently our physical health. As something that is so primary and bright that people see it a mile away.
We can all use more of that.
Nominate Someone You Know For The 6th Annual REEL WOMEN
