Rockstar turned Adman

Matt Heath, writer at 72andSunny

What did you do before 72?

Job wise I was an intern at JWT in New York. I visited JWT with school and they asked if any of us had any books. None of us did since we were undergraduates. But I did have a blog, about me being a fucker. They loved it and hired me on the spot. So I was there as an intern for 6 weeks. Then I talked to Glenn and John (2girls1cut clarification: 72andSunny founders) who actually went to the same college as me. And when they heard I was interning at JWT they were like “hm… We might want to hire you here..” So I came here and never graduated.

But what about the rock star rumors?

I was a jazz musician originally, playing the trumpet. But then my dad won on the lottery and got me a guitar. When I was 21 I started a band called 2Bucks Short and we actually got signed. My goal was to get on the Van’s Warped Tour. So when we did, I checked that box and moved on.

Are the tattoos from the band days?

You could say so. It took the tattooer 8 hours to finish it. In Oregon, where I got it, it’s illegal to tattoo for longer. Cause the endorphins starts spinning from the pain. And I suppose the body can’t take it for longer than 8 hours. So when he saw that I was ready to pass out he was like “let’s stop and do the rest when this one has healed”. But we never did since he got arrested for having meth in his car…

So why advertising instead of music?

I’ve always been a storyteller. I wrote everything for the band. I like being creative but still logical. The music business is no garant for money. In advertising, l get to earn money and still do fun and creative stuff. Also, I’ve always been intersted in how to promote brands.

Okey, a few quickies. MacCain or O’Bama?

Definately O’Bama.

Stockholm or Göteborg?

I like the sound of Stockholm better.

Famntag or Handtag?

Tag, is that day?

Well yes, in german it is.

Ok. I’ll say famntag.

Greatest misconception about Americans?

I’ve never been outside of America. Well I’ve been to Canada, diet America. But I suppose the greatest rumor is that we’re not all fat, Christians and love Bush.

Name a Swedish celebrity.

Millencolin (loved them before they got all popy). And, weren’t the Cardigans from Sweden?

They still are.

Right. And… The Knife. I love the Knife. And the latest talent Peter von Poehl.

Thanks Matt!

Tags: klapp over kyss, Matt Heath, tattoo