Creative Team: BERGERHILL
Name:
BERGERHILL (Matt Berger & Rick Hill)
Job Title:
Creative Team
What’s your background?
Hill: I grew up skateboarding with friends all around the ATL area. (A-Town baby)
I hit hard times and needed to figure out what to do with my life. So I went to school for commercial art. After school I started working around ATL in a couple different studios. I hit hard times again and needed to figure out what I wanted out of this career. So I went to The Creative Circus for a year and that’s where I met Matt Berger. We hit it off and decide to join forces. We’ve now been together going on 6 years (school and work). We’ve worked in ATL, NYC and Boston. Only the future knows what’s next for bergerhill.
Berger: Grew up in NC in Raleigh. Spent a lot of time at the Carolina coast. Moved to Atlanta, met Rick at the Creative Circus. We’ve worked together since.
How did you find out you can make a living as a creative?
H: In high school, I took a commercial art class thinking it would be easy. It turned out to be hard enough to get my attention.
B: I always wanted to write and create on some level. I guess it’s a good thing you can make money in a creative field. Otherwise, I’d be a fireman.
What was the first creative job you were paid for?
H: In fourth grade at Dresden Elem, I used to do drawings of Micheal Jackson in his zipper jacket and curl on his forehead. I was never paid for the drawings but I do remember making 10 cents to make more copies off the black and white copier.
B: I wrote stories for friends when I was a kid but never got paid. Maybe I should have. I guess my first paid creative job was doing ads for local restaurants, coffee houses in NC.
How long have you been working in ATL and how long have you lived here?
H: I’m from ATL. Born and raised. I love this city. This is my hometown. I’ve worked ever since I was old enough to work. Bergerhill moved back from Boston almost 10 months ago.
B: I’ve lived here twice. 4 years the first time. 1 year so far the second time.
Where are you working now and how did you get there?
H: Bergerhill is working at BBDO ATL. We were freelancing on AXE with BBH (NYC) and on Dell with BBDO (ATL). We were hired as the only Sr Integrated Team at BBDO ATL. Well, we wanted that title (to help protect us) and they gave it to us. I want everyone that reads this to know, Bergerhill does not agree or take part in doing / wasting time with fake work.
B: What he said. We’ve worked in New York, Boston and freelanced for agencies all over. We love the ATL and wanted to help it become a powerhouse.
What do you expect from a Creative Director?
H: Leadership. Good person. Someone that doesn’t think they are god. Be real. Its just ads, right?.
B: Someone who can give creative guidance and creative freedom at the same time. It’s a unique ability.
What do you expect from an Account Person?
H: The same as a Creative Director.
B: To help us get effective work though. Let us do our job. I know, it’s asking a lot for most of them.
What do you get from an Account Person?
H: The good ones: great partnerships. The bad ones: headaches.
B: Lots of grief. Except for one guy in Boston named Eric Freedman. He rules. He helped us sell our cartoon so he rocks. He will be BergerHill’s head of account services one day.
How does ATL compare to cities like NYC and San Fran on a creative level?
H: Internationally? ATL is still undiscovered. NYC and SF are already there. ATL is unique. Whatever you are looking for, you can find it here. Well some things you may not want to see (the Clairmont Lounge). NYC and SF are great, don’t get me wrong. But I’m a A-Town kid.
B: Well, this is a tough one because I love Atlanta. It’s gritty and beautiful at the same time. San Fran, New York, etc all have voices and are known as cities where creativity thrives. Atlanta doesn’t have that reputation but it’s getting better. It takes time. Especially when you’re in such a conservative part of the country. The beauty of not being one of those high profile creative cities is that we can help shape Atlanta now. We’re doing it everyday. There are no wrong answers. Let’s just make it stand out.
Can you share with us your best ATL experience?
H: Met my wife.
B: Die-hard Braves fan so going to a game and seeing them beat the Mets.
And your worst?
H: The latest problem is working with creatives that fight for doing fake work. I just don’t understand it. Stop hurting this city.
B: Sitting in traffic.
If you had the chance, what advice would you give MARTA?
H: Grow. Grow. Grow.
B: Why would you only go in two directions? Crazy. Add some lines.
How do you feel about kids coming out the Creative Circus, Portfolio Center and other Atlanta-based schools then moving away to find better jobs?
H: Stop. Help ATL become a player in the game. But if you have to go, then go.
B: Well, you do what you have to do. I went to the Circus, busted my ass and got out early. Got my first job in Atlanta, then moved and came back. If you have to leave to get experience that’s understandable. As long as you know that you can kick ass here, too.
What does this city have to do in order to keep fresh new creative talent here?
H: Tell the schools to stop telling their kids that they have to move away to do great work.
Everyone’s situation is different though.
B: More people fighting the fight and better clients. Right now, the majority of work is retail-driven. We have huge brands that are based here (Home Depot, Coke, Chik-Fil-A, etc) but they rely on creatives from other cities. That blows. We need to hold them to the same standards. Give back to the city.
What are some key elements you look for when job searching?
H: The Creative Director and his background. I look for the willingness to grow.
B: Something that suits my long-term goals. It’s not always easy to make these decisions because they’re not always popular in the ad industry. But only you know what’s right for you.
How do you feel about headhunters?
H: Ok.
B: Don’t ever think they’re hooking you up. When they hang up the phone with you, they’re calling the guy sitting across from you.
How do you feel about award shows in creative fields?
H: Ok. Stay humble though.
B: Boring. Truly good work should be rewarded. But actual shows are stupid. I’d rather be doing a million other things than sitting at an award show.
Name 3 of your top magazines you have to read each month?
H: It depends, I really like Super7 and Thrasher.
B: I go though weird phases. Most of the time I read what’s on Rick’s desk. I like dorky video game magazines. Go Nintendo Power!
What music are you diggin’ right now?
H: New Aesop Rock, Madlib, McRad, DRI, The Sword
B: Aesop Rock, Beans, Mos Def, The Thermals, old-school Tribe CQ, Kind of Like Spitting
What’s overrated/underrated in ATL?
H: Underrated: The creative talent in the city. Overrated: Condos for sale.
B: Under-Living in Atlanta, Over-Atlantic Station
What’s your favorite Adult Swim Show?
H: ATHF. Dave Willis is a nice guy too. We would love to hook up with those guys on a project. Shit, who wouldn’t?
B: What he said.
If you could pitch them a show idea right now, what would it be?
H: Dude, BergerHill has a million ideas for them. We need to knock on their door.
Brad, hook me up playa…
B: Maybe you’ll see sometime
What’s your secret to staying creative?
H: Its Top Secret: Believe in yourself.
B: I always try to impress myself.
Who do you respect?
H: My Dad. My Mom.
B: Mom and Pops, my father and mother-in-law, my sister and my brother
Why do you wake up in the morning?
H: Good question. I guess for the chance to make a difference. Plus my dogs lick my face because they have to go pee.
B: Golden Grahams and the chance to do something cool.
What’s the difference between a Designer and a Art Director?
H: Art Directors have bigger muscles.
B: Designers wear turtlenecks.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
H: Bergerhill & Partners
B: What he said.
Favorite sneaker brand?
H: Bergerhill Sneakers coming soon
B: Reef flops
Ham or Turkey on a sandwich?
H: Turkey with mustard
B: Oven Roasted Turkey from Quiznos. No mayo, add black olives. I said no mayo!
Laptop or Desktop?
H: Laptop with 30-inch screen. (my penis is small)
B: Laptop with 23-inch screen (my penis is not small)
Digital or Film photography?
H: Digital is easy. I think that’s a bad thing for Film. Sorry Film.
B: I appreciate both. I really slides. Only legit dudes can shoot slide film. No mistakes.
What’s your favorite architectural structure in Atlanta?
H: The Varsity sign on 14th, hands down.
B: The Varsity sign, the Majestic, Chicken and Waffles, 112, Fox Theatre, Flatiron Building, the Westin Peachtree with the glass elevator on the outside of the building
What do you think of Atlanta’s 17th street bridge?
H: Its ugly man. What a waste.
B: Don’t even get me going on the god awful, yellow mess. But since you asked, I hate it. What a missed opportunity. It could have been an icon for the city.
Favorite Atlanta icon/landmark (person, building, restaurant, etc)?
H: Usher because that dude can dance.
B: Piedmont Park, Oakland Cemetery, Dale Murphy
Naked Dog or Chili Dog from the Varsity?
H: 3 Chili Dogs with a Frosted Orange. Awesome.
B: I’ve only had the naked but I hear the chili’s legit.
Any links you want to share?
Download our PDF
bergerhill.com
www.rick-hill.com
Contact info:
bergerhill@hotmail.com
rick@rick-hill.com
The Work:
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