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Michael WENTE
VP Creative Marketing & Operations | VERIZON
questionnaire
1. What was your very first job?
First job ever was at McDonald’s. My father drove me up to apply the moment I was old enough to work. It didn’t last long. My first creative job was as a Studio Assistant for a sculptor.
2. Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.
I’m the head of Verizon in-house creative team. Leading a talented group of creatives, producers, strategist, etc. who all work on all facets of the brand.
3. How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? Was there a train of events that brought you where you are today?
I’m not exactly sure except that art was one of the only things I was interested in doing and also the only thing I tended to get good grades for during school. It felt natural to me and it has held my attention in a way nothing else has.
4. In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
It’s everything outside of the screen. By either working on a blank canvas or visiting, watching, listening to places and people. And music has always been a way to create space to recharge.
5. If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation rather than its recognition or industry "success" what would it be?
The work for the International Olympic Committee to launch the 2016 Rio Games. Not only was
it an incredibly competitive global pitch it was a massive achievement to deliver the ambitious work that the Olympics never tried before.
6. Which creative disciplines do you commission most, and are most interested in seeing more of and why? Which of these disciplines are you most interested in seeing at CONNECTIONS? (ie photo, film, production, social, experiential, vr, cgi, animation etc)
It’s about the craft of design for me that I am interested in seeing regardless of medium. I also am interested in seeing the work that is in between many of these disciplines. The ideas that don’t have a home except for the idea themselves.
