Grad Profile: James Hill

James Hill, Advertising 1994

With a keen interest in fabricating reality and a rapier wit James pondered his future. “advertising looks interesting” he mused. Thus, the die was cast at the tender age of 13 years. In the time leading up to his tenure at Mohawk College, James immersed himself in “all things advertising” -even so far as having a subscription to Marketing Magazine as a teenager. Once free of the chains of high school James visited a local greasy spoon, grabbed a bite to eat, and enrolled in Mohawk’s three year advertising program. In that order.

The rest, as they say, is history. As Senior Copywriter and Associate Creative Director at Foxx Advertising and Design, James looks back fondly on his education and the work experience that got him where he is today. “The Mohawk program illustrated the sheer breadth of opportunities there are in the advertising/marketing fields. And prepared you for them.” Adding “I didn’t always know why I was taking a course but the range of educational opportunities created a pool I draw from daily.”

From being Creative Director at Mohawk’s own MCA to internships at Miller Myers Bruce Dallacosta and Bozell Palmer Bonner, with a limited stint at the latter, James honed his craft and patiently awaited an opportunity to put his own unique stamp on his client’s communications. Moving on, these opportunities presented themselves in abundance at smaller shops culminating in his tenure at W&A Advertising and finally in his current role at Foxx.

Having worked on a wide range of clients such as Roots, smart Canada, Pioneer Petroleums, Kelsey’s Restaurants, Roots, Unico Foods, Country Style Donuts, Apple Auto Glass, and Cisco Systems to name a few, James realizes the importance of a diverse educational experience. “Wearing many hats is critical in this business. If you can’t get your head around all aspects of the business, and in turn your client, you’re not bringing everything you can to the table” he said.

Currently, James can be found at Foxx Advertising in Toronto attempting to get black Sharpie ink off his fingers and wondering why his Stewie doll’s glare grows more and more menacing each day.