"After 23 years advertising cigarettes, I'm trying to work out my karma."
Marshall Goldman - brand builder, teacher, a better life form
For more than two decades, I was an executive creative director and copywriter at Leo Burnett working on Marlboro. I began my career in Chicago then spent twelve years living in Frankfurt, Germany, then in Moscow, while my work on that brand took me throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
​
Since 2015, when I returned to Chicago, I've taught advertising, branding, and writing at DePaul University, always stressing the importance of what I call, brand patriotism — an unflagging belief in, and defense of, the value and power of a brand.
​
And now, as a co-founder of Humdrum, I continue on my higher path. Because when I'm not teaching my students a brand story, I'm helping professionals discover their personal, uncommon brand. Perhaps Humdrum can help you (and help my karma at the same time).
"I am an instrument used to express a message, or something tangible for the world to see."
Trish Cole - brand connoisseur, songwriter and messenger
Growing up, I would skip recess and stay behind to write songs for major artists of the 90’s. I always had an affinity for words - heading to the studio to work on my rap album and eventually earning a music publishing deal for a company out in Nashville, Tennessee. Collectively, these moments have contributed to my personal brand as a pencil (writer).
Life as a pencil has taken me places I’ve never imagined such as living rent-free in NYC and working for Weber Shandwick, McCann, the community, and Verizon. Each experience has sharpened me into the woman I am today and I’m truly grateful that my pencil story took me beyond the cornfields of Des Moines, Iowa where I grew up.
As co-founder of Humdrum, I’m excited by the chance to get to know who you are, what you do and what makes you stand out from the crowd. My purpose is to serve and inspire you regardless of my job title or position. Let’s get to work!