10 Years at The Martin Group: Darwin McPherson
Congratulations on 10 years with The Martin Group. What has been your favorite part about working here?
Darwin McPherson: I’ll always appreciate the thoughtful and generous spirit of The Martin Group’s management. There’s a sincere effort to make this a great place to work for the employees. Our professional skills are reinforced, our work-life balance is respected, and our personal needs are recognized.
How has your typical workday changed over the past decade?
DMcP: When I started, I focused primarily on two major clients with a little attention to general agency work. Now, I touch almost every client with whom we work. And of course, I can also work from home for part of the week.
What’s the biggest challenge in your position, and how do you handle these challenges on a weekly basis?
DMcP: As a proofreader, I’m here to catch mistakes, which all humans make. But then, I’m human, too. The only way to handle it is to be organized, be mindful, and don’t rush.
Do you have a client project or two that made a memorable impression on you? If so, what were they, and why were they so special?
DMcP: The World Aquatics rebranding impressed me because of its scope. It was an important job which was showcased on the world stage. Seeing The Martin Group’s impact “out in the field” is always a great feeling. The “Children’s Hospital is Moving” campaign was also significant because it involved many parts that rolled out over an extended period of time.
Is there an industry development you’re particularly excited about? If so, what is it, and why does it interest you?
DMcP: I would say I’m more concerned about the growth of so-called artificial intelligence than excited about it. My entire career has been spent promoting and/or enhancing creative work, and I don’t see A.I. contributing positively to that effort—yet. Will it ever? We’ll see.
You’ve had a few days off in your 10 years here. What would your ideal day off look like, wake up to bedtime?
DMcP: Ideally, I’d sleep until I wanted to get up. Then take a nice walk and have a leisurely lunch with a friend. Afterward, do a bit of shopping (window or grocery or both) and head home and read until I decide to grab a nap. Wake up in time for dinner, preferably at a nice restaurant. The evening concludes with a binge-watching session of something interesting. (My wife and kids would never let a day like this happen, but it’s nice to think about.)
Finally, if you met someone who hoped to find success in a position like yours, what’s the one piece of critical advice you’d offer to them?
DMcP: This advice applies to any position: “Do the work.” I was a business major, but I started writing freelance in college. That led to opportunities in promotional writing, editing, and corporate communications. As I’ve studied the rules of grammar and English independently, I’ve always been writing and growing in this field. The more you do it, the more naturally it comes and success finds you.