Team

The right partner
makes all the difference.

Meet the hearts and souls of 88. We're a team of very different but like-minded individuals who bring diverse expertise and knowledge to everything we do, making us ready to build, elevate and extend a wide variety of service-oriented brands.

“If you’re given a
talent, share it.”

Michael McGuire

President & CEO
What's a piece of advice you'd give to a prospective [any] client?
The right partnership makes all the difference. It may seem simplistic, but ‘fit’ is often overlooked. If you’re looking to create meaningful and motivating creative, I can’t think of anything more important than a strong and trusted partnership.
Is there a skill/piece of wisdom/etc. from an unrelated job you use in your current position?
I had a professor in college who once said, “If you believe that you were given talent or given a gift, then it’s your responsibility to share it,” and that statement has always stuck with me.
What is something you believe makes 88 unique as an agency?
We are a team that very much shares the same DNA. We’ve been magnetized to each other and we attract clients who share this same DNA. I often cite our long client tenure with a large number of our clients. It happened again with my son, but that time there was much more screaming (on his part, not mine).
If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
Sarah Silverman.
Use an ad slogan to describe yourself.
I’ve always loved the tagline for EA Games “Challenge Everything” (a brand and slogan that I’ve become much more familiar with now that I have a seven-year-old son who calls himself a “big gamer”).
“Be bold with brand
and communications.”

Brian Crowley

VP, Director of Strategy
What's a piece of advice you'd give to a prospective [any] client?
Make sure you like and respect your agency team. These are the people you will trust to speak on your behalf.
What is something you believe makes 88 unique as an agency?
We push our clients to be bold with their brand and communications, but we always give them the support they need to push ahead with confidence.
Is there something in this industry that you would consider yourself an expert on?
Providing perspective and maintaining a shared focus on what's most essential, whether it's a project's goal or a brand's essence.
Use an ad slogan to describe yourself.
Quality never goes out of style.
What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?
Lawrence of Arabia. Or any James Bond film.
“There's a beauty
to having
things organized.”

Barbara Jurgens

Director of Client Service
Is there a skill/piece of wisdom/etc. from an unrelated job you use in your current position?
The French cooking principle Mis En Place, everything in place. In my role, there's a beauty to having things organized and prepared so that the final product turns out to everyone's satisfaction.
Is there a project near and dear to your heart that you've worked on here at 88?
More than a project, my greatest satisfaction and joy is seeing the people on my team develop and thrive in their roles.
Is there something in this industry that you would consider yourself an expert on?
I've spent many years focused on branding strategy. I became a student early on at Ogilvy & Mather where branding is a core philosophy and had the good fortune to teach courses on Brands & Branding as an adjunct professor. It's pretty much in my bones.
What's your favorite breakfast food and why?
It's a toss up between Blueberry Pancakes (made with wheat germ at a local diner near where I live) or a well prepared omelet made with mushrooms and gruyere cheese. In either case it means I'm out enjoying a leisurely weekend breakfast.
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
Well, if it has to be things, and not people, I would say my New Yorker subscription, magically up to date on the desert island and my iPad, to keep in touch with the world, including Netflix and streaming music.
“Expect to
be surprised.”

Terry Boyd

Associate Creative Director
What's a piece of advice you'd give to a prospective [any] client?
Expect to be surprised. We always make sure the work is on strategy and on brand, but we also challenge ourselves—and our clients—to keep it fresh and, well, surprising.
What's a unique talent or experience you bring to your role?
Finding the story in sometimes dense or technical information and creating a compelling story arc. A former colleague says I can make stereo instructions sound interesting.
What do you work toward in your free time?
Being a better cook. Having done a food blog as long as I have now, I keep thinking I should already be there. But every new thing I learn just shows me how much more there is to know.
What is your favorite journey?
Any road trip, anywhere. Just being in a car, music playing, watching the passing scenery. One of my absolute favorite things to do.
What movie do you quote on a regular basis?
The Bourne Ultimatum. “Uh, sir, he drove off the roof.” Admittedly difficult to work into conversation.
"A big part of telling good stories is by making sure the audience cares about what's playing out before them"

Will Wright

Senior Art Director
Is there a piece of branding/advertising that you wish you could have worked on?
I've always loved the work that The LEGO Group puts out. Being a toy company, they're always able to incorporate a lot of whimsy and wit into their advertising and brand. Their history is rich and their touchpoints are so vast that I can't help but feel that their projects would be beyond fun to work on.
What's something no one at 88 knows about you?
I've seen 55 films starring Vincent Price, the "master of menace" and my all-time favorite actor!
What's a unique talent or experience you bring to your role?
I've always liked making stories, be it by way of short fiction or fully-illustrated comics. A big part of telling good stories is by making sure the audience cares about what's playing out before them and that it feels authentic; just because you're invested in something doesn't mean someone else will be. As a result, I'm always gut-checking my work here at 88 to make sure I'm never too lost in my own perspective.
What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?
This is an impossible one, so my answer has to be obnoxious and feature a four-way tie: 'Laura,' 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' 'Phantom of the Paradise,' and 'The House on Haunted Hill.'
If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
Personally? Mads Mikkelsen. Realistically? Ewan McGregor.
What do you work toward in your free time?
I've been trying to improve my digital drawing prowess so I can one day write and illustrate my own one-off comic. I've done a lot of short stuff in the past, but I want to reach a semi-pro level one day and publish something.
“If you can present to a
group of disinterested
13-year-olds, you can
present to anyone.”

Anne Flavin

Associate Creative Director
Is there a skill/piece of wisdom/etc. from an unrelated job you use in your current position?
I was a middle school teacher before I was a designer, which helped a ton with learning to present work. If you can present to a group of disinterested 13-year-olds, you can present to anyone.
What's your favorite breakfast food and why?
Toast with avocado, halloumi, poached egg and chili jam! And iced coffee, lots of iced coffee. It's the perfect combo of savory, sweet and spicy.
If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
Sean Connery.
What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
I won every art contest that I entered in elementary school. My favorite winning piece was a poster promoting health foods which featured an apple leading a jazzercise class to a room of other fruits and vegetables.
What is your most treasured memory?
As kids my brothers and I spent many summers visiting our grandparents in New Mexico. We filled our days by racing Hot Wheels in my grandmother's garden, walking to a comic book store at the end of the street, and eating apricots picked off the neighbor's tree.
Best live music show, or play, that you’ve ever seen?
A memorable show was The National at Music City Hall in Cincinnati.
“Be comfortable
with being
uncomfortable.”

Emma Lally

Account Supervisor
What's a unique talent or experience you bring to your role?
I spent about a year working in music festival production, a lot of my time being dedicated to artist relations—building relationships and acting as a liaison between the artist and the company. I learned a lot there that prepared me for cultivating strong client relations.
Is there a skill/piece of wisdom/etc. from an unrelated job you use in your current position?
When I was 16, I got my first job at a car dealership as a greeter. For starters, I was painfully shy, and I couldn’t tell a hatchback from an SUV. My boss told me, “Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” In many cases, discomfort can lead to growth. I quickly discovered to apply this to almost any scenario, not just approaching customers on the sales floor.
What is your favorite journey?
In 2017, I taught English for a month in Hanoi, Vietnam. I lived with about thirty Vietnamese students who spoke very little English. It was a very immersive experience, and although I didn't learn much Vietnamese, I got to explore the city via motorbike, eat pho and banh mis daily, and meet people from around the world.
What's something no one at 88 knows about you?
After studying abroad in Madrid, I spent a month working on a farm in Germany. I planted lots of zucchini, learned how to drive a tractor and fed the goats each day. My favorite goat was named Elvis.
What movie do you quote on a regular basis?
School of Rock. My senior quote in high school was "You're tacky and I hate you." Disclaimer: Quote does not reflect personality.
“I don't want
you stealing
my ideas.”

Tom Astley

Director of Creative Technology
What is something you believe makes 88 unique as an agency?
The people. Everybody at the agency brings their own unique voice, which ultimately shows in the work we produce.
What is your personal motto?
Handbuilt by robots—Fiat Strada.
What is your favorite journey?
My recent trip to Amsterdam last summer. So much to love about it. The museums, architecture, friendly people and excellent food.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Purchasing limited edition records. If it has additional artwork or additional songs, I want that.
If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
Michael Caine.
What app can you not believe someone hasn’t made yet?
I can't tell you that. I don't want you stealing my ideas.
“I can’t believe
I ate the
whole thing.”

Andy Yamashiro

Creative Director
Is there a skill/piece of wisdom/etc. from an unrelated job you use in your current position?
As a server/bartender, I really learned how to multi-task and maintain a positive attitude. While my career may be very different now, there are still multiple demands to juggle throughout the day. Like bartending, there is an element of customer service in what we do. Try not to get “in the weeds”—and always maintain a professional, positive demeanor with clients. Your tips are riding on it!
What piece of advice you would give to someone starting their first leadership role?
I think one of the most important things you can do is be humble. It's easy to let your role go to your head and have a number of assumptions as to how you should be perceived. Remember that the people on your team are talented and intelligent, and they bring smart solutions to the table. So give them space and be supportive when they need it. Together, you’ll do great work.
What talent would you like most to have?
I'd love to be a polyglot. I'm a sociable person, and the idea of opening up my world to being able to talk to more people from different backgrounds is really exciting to me.
Use an ad slogan to describe yourself.
“I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” It’s from Wells Rich Greene’s classic Alka Seltzer campaign.
What's your favorite breakfast food and why?
Chorizo and Eggs. When I was little, it was a special treat for breakfast. My mom would make a big skillet of them and set them out on the table with warm tortillas and a bowl of canned peaches. I'm not sure why canned peaches became a part of the meal, but its the perfect pairing to me.
If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
Rodney Dangerfield.
“Be a team player
and make the
copies… and
the coffee.”

Elizabeth Paterson

Group Account Director
What piece of advice you would give to someone starting their first leadership role?
You're not above any task. Be a team player and make the copies… and the coffee.
What's your favorite ad campaign that you've seen over the last few years?
I’m far from a sports fan but I really got a kick out of the 2019 Progressive Insurance campaign, “At Home with Baker Mayfield.” The memorable series of commercials depicts the football player living in the stadium and dealing with homeowner problems we can all relate to, like a beeping smoke detector with a low battery.
Is there a project near and dear to your heart that you’ve worked on here at 88?
Working with the Greater Chicago Food Depository brand refresh was truly inspiring. Reinvigorating such a respected Chicago brand, and an organization that is so well run was—and continues to be—rewarding.
What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?
I will always stop and watch at least a few minutes of It's Complicated. Just for the dreamy production and set design alone.
What was the last song you sang along to?
Peanut Butter and Jelly. I'm a new mom with an infant son, and this song always makes him smile.
What app can you not believe someone hasn’t made yet?
A travel app that locates the best bakery in any city or town.
“The culture
is like a
family here.”

Linda Elinoff

Controller
What's a unique talent or experience you bring to your role?
Having firsthand knowledge of starting and running a business, from my days owning ice cream and cookie shops.
What is something you believe makes 88 unique as an agency?
The culture is like a family here. Everyone cares about each other, which is rare.
What is one place you would like to live (not Chicago), and why?
Tuscany, for the beautiful scenery and the delicious food.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Fancy, unique yarns to knit with—like the hand-knitted sheep's wool yarn I found in Ireland.
What do you work toward in your free time?
To be in a good headspace, calm and content—which I achieve through my hobbies and exercising and baking.
What's your favorite breakfast food and why?
Eggs Benedict. I love the hollandaise sauce, the runny yolks, the whole perfect combination.

The agency that plays together
stays together.

Meet the hearts and souls of 88. We’re a team of very different but like-minded individuals who bring diverse expertise and knowledge to everything we do, making us ready to build, elevate and extend a wide variety of service-oriented brands.