qa-chris-barredo

Q&A With Chris Barredo, VP/Brand Strategy at The Halo Group

Meet Chris Barredo, VP/Brand Strategy at The Halo Group

Q. How did you get into this business?
A. While in college up in Boston, I got an internship at an agency that my friend was working at and was introduced to how advertising agencies work. That was more than a decade ago… I’m still trying to figure out how agencies work.

Q. If you didn’t work in the marketing world, what would you be doing?
A. Something to do with sports – soccer, golf, baseball, snowboarding…

Q. Why did you decide to go into marketing/PR/creative/etc?
A. Well I went to business school and it became pretty clear that I wouldn’t really like finance or accounting. So that left me with marketing.

Q. What’s one thing you have to keep stocked in your fridge?
A. Hmmm, Sriracha and/or butter. Both make things taste better.

Q. What’s your weirdest habit, superstition etc.?
A. I hate going barefoot – I’m a huge sock person. I mean if I go to the beach I’ll wear flipflops, but just hanging out around the apartment or when I sleep…socks.

Q. What’s your favorite sports team?
A. I’m a huge NY sports fan, but I’m of the rare breed that likes the Yankees, Jets and Islanders. I’m still trying to figure that one out. I blame it on my brother.

Q. What’s your favorite book?
A. I usually just say “High Fidelity,” by Nick Hornby. But I think I’d have to throw “Shogun,” by James Clavell, or the “Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay,” by Michael Chabon as serious competitors.

Q. What was your first job?
A. First real job was working as a cashier at a “mom and pop” stationary store in my hometown. Unlimited candy and I’d always have an appropriate greeting card.

Q. If you could have one superpower, what would you choose?
A. Invisibility.

Q. What advice do you have for a client when working with their agency?
A. We put a lot of effort into understanding your customers, but don’t make us work to understand who you are. Understanding how you work, your strengths/weaknesses, and honest feedback/dialogue are the best ways to get great work.

Q. Why would a client love you or maybe just want to work with you?
A. I’m always looking for ways to do something better, always trying to learn something new and improve… and it’s the attitude I bring to everything I do, not just work. But perhaps, most importantly, at the end of day, I know to never take anything in life or work too serious… because where’s the fun in that?

Q. Is there anything special happening in your life you’d like to share?
A. I’m getting married in a couple of weeks.


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