Michael Rogers

What follows is 99.99 true. Mike began his career as a copywriter at the preeminent creative agency of its time, Doyle Dane Bernbach. At DDB, he created award-winning advertising for Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Hershey, Michelin, Mobile, The New York Lottery and IBM. After leading the team that developed the long-running Give me a Break advertising for Kit Kat, creating the famous baby-in-the-tire campaign for Michelin, and winning the biggest account in the history of the agency, he went on to lead the New York Office, as Vice Chairman, Chief Creative Officer.

After Mike left DDB (or more accurately after agency management strongly encouraged him to leave) he became President and creative director of a New York advertising agency he generously characterizes as a fixer-upper. While he was busy fixing the creative product, the owners were even busier unfixing the financials. So, despite a run of major new business wins, the agency spiraled into bankruptcy. True to his optimistic nature, or perhaps his naiveté or just plain stupidity, Mike seized the opportunity, started his own agency, inviting all the clients to join him, which much to his surprise they did.

Fast forward 10 years. In 2012, Mike sold his agency to Dentsu, a global agency network, where for two years he served as Vice Chairman, a position that sounds more impressive than it actually was. Because he breaks out in a rash whenever he hears the word retirement, Mike started a new agency, madandwall, which serves hedge funds, mutual funds, banks and ETFs. His close association with the movers and shakers of the financial world has yet to benefit his portfolio.

In addition to being a member of Emerson board of advisors, he is on the College’s investment committee, where he takes his fiduciary responsibilities seriously. Meaning he tries to make decisions that won’t get him sued.

Besides his work in advertising, Mike is pursuing his true passion, writing musicals. He is now working on his second one.