A native of South Africa, Marc Lineveldt, EVP, executive creative director, GSW-Columbus, a Syneos Health company, has a wealth of agency experience under his belt, having made stops at TBWA, Y&R, Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi, among others. His answers to Chops’ hard-hitting questions yield a partial glimpse at the mind behind the creative work. In order to fully appreciate Linevedlt, consider his LinkedIn profile, which tells you all you need to know, starting with: “I’m an optimist, prefer the Pirates to the Navy and believe in the power of ideas.” Here’s what else he had to say:
So, what do you do all day?
A mixture of ScreenTime, FaceTime and actual PeopleTime.
How would you describe life as a creative to someone who’s not familiar with your job?
It’s a never-ending hunt for the next idea that will solve everything.
Did you ever think you’d be doing this? If not, what did you think you’d do?
Sorry, yes.
What can you point to in your past and your education that prepared you for this career?
My older sister studied art and become an art director when I was a young boy.
I knew without a shadow of a doubt I wanted to do what she was doing.
Any quirks in your career path? Odd jobs? Bad jobs? Cool jobs?
Working in Dubai was very quirky.
What’s the ideal office set up for you to do your best work? Quiet? Music, and if so, what? Open work space or closed door? Home or office?
Loud, open, chaotic, silly, spontaneous, collaborative and fun office setup for sure. Definitely open work space with freedom to go work outside. For me home is usually refuge from work.
Name five things that help you do your job better.
Family, friends, colleagues, clients and weekends.
Signature look?
Jeans, t-shirt and camper shoes.
What piece of work/project/campaign/creation are you most proud of?
I’m proud of lots of work but I’m most proud of the people I’ve worked with.
What’s your favorite color right now?
I’ve always liked green. (In fact, Lineveldt likes green so much, he sent his responses in green—Ed.)
Which individual has had the most influence on you as a creative?
John Hunt of TBWA.
Name a single piece of work, in any medium, that gives you the greatest pleasure.
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Name a single piece of work, in any medium, that leaves you thinking, I wish I had done that.
Lee Clow’s Think Different.
Name a work, in any medium, that leaves you wondering, How the hell did they do that?
David Droga’s Air Force One, Marc Ecko’s graffiti stunt.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Astronaut.
How do you recharge?
Long bike rides.
What’s your happy place?
The shower.
Speed round:
Pastel or oil? Oil
Sound or vision? Vision
Strings or horns? Strings
Clear or cluttered? Clear
Morning or night? Morning
Design school or liberal arts? Design school.
