Chris began his advertising career at the New York Times Affiliated Newspaper Group. After founding his own ad agency in Lakeland, Florida, he formed the holding company, Lord & Lasker, that grew to encompass agencies in Tampa, Lakeland, Daytona Beach and San Antonio.
Q: Who was the biggest influence in your career?
A: Louis Benito. He was not only a great business and ad man, but a great humanitarian as well. I was fortunate to consider him a family friend growing up in Tampa, and watching him establish and define the ad community here with a great deal of panache and integrity gave me inspiration that I have drawn upon my entire career.
Q: What makes a great brand?
A: One that seems to have magic glue that adheres customers to it. The exact formula for that kind of glue is top secret, but some of the key ingredients are simplicity, clarity, honesty, emotion, usefulness, meaning, and belief.
Q: What attracted you to Lord & Lasker?
A: Well, I guess being able to name an agency anything I wanted.
Q: What was your “finest moment,” the thing you’re most proud of?
A: Getting my pilot’s license. It was a dream I had ever since I was a kid and I’ve been able to fulfill it. I’ve also had the opportunity to pilot a plane up to South Bend, Indiana on several occasions to watch my beloved Notre Dame Irish play football. Combining those two passions in my life has been extremely satisfying.
Q: What frustrates you the most?
A: Golf. What masochist invented a sport that tortures you not once but 18 bloody times?
