Writers

Vice: I’m addicted to chocolate (isn’t chocolate an anti-oxidant?), and admittedly, I abuse pastelitos.

I started out to be an actress, but figured it was far too difficult to earn a living. So instead, I found another way to tell a story and elicit a reaction — advertising and public relations. Now there’s a steady, respectable profession without the mercurial vicissitudes of a thespian’s life. Steady?! Hardly. Try fickle…erratic…volatile…often requiring improvisation. And that’s exactly the fun of it.

Vice: Cuban cigars

A long, long time ago, in a land not so far away … a boy dreamt about joining the ranks of the advertising world — a world full of money, rum & cigars. Many years later, his world changed. He’s no longer on that tropical island, money is harder to find, rum is bad for the liver & the doctors say cigars have got to go. ¡Ay, Cuba!

Vice: Coffee (spiked?)

I’m an ex-Aristotle junkie (if there is such a thing) and when not at BG, I’m likely to be found making some wisecrack, reading at Crescent Beach with Andrea and Jake, toiling in my yard, singing along to my iPod (aka annoying Jake) or hatching another screenplay idea (Seriously, that’s all I do for fun. Although my movie ideas aren’t much better than my singing.)

Vice: Dark Chocolate, 70% or over in Cocoa content. Maybe even a Caffé Americano from Starbucks to go with it.

My first exposure to doing real graphic design was at age 8. I won a logo contest for a public service campaign. The logo was soon printed up and plastered all over Washington D.C. So how could I look at the world the same way again after that? My mom says that I always picked the most expensive shoes, the designer frames, and the one-off, special edition bike, but it was just me following the obvious. We moved to Germany in 76′. Star Wars came out that next summer. A world wide launch of an amazing story, on a global plateau, in a full marketing spectrum. Wow. That’s how I still see things everyday. When I think “globally relevant,” the possibilities are endless.

Vice: College football

I develop strategic marketing plans, conduct research, manage client relations, write copy, edit projects and practice deep breathing as necessary. One day I hope to be a talented chef and gardener; I am neither yet, though my herb garden is still hanging in there. As a single parent with a son, dog, cat and five fish, I play the roles of butcher, baker and candlestick maker at home. I love time with friends and family, writing, travel, the outdoors, great music and attending live performances.

Vice: Watching “Housewives of Whichever County” (Eck! I know!)

I’m the little Filipino-American girl that sits behind the wall at BG. When I’m not in the office, I’m sweating at the gym, stuffing my face or booking a flight. If I happen to be in Jacksonville, I’m probably watching HGTV in my year-old condo with its bare walls, STILL pondering over how to decorate. Or you can find me in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Atlanta gorging at mom-and-pop shops and greasy spoons. Otherwise, try Las Vegas where I’m trying (and failing miserably) to keep up with the college kids!

Vice: E! Entertainment

As an art director for Brunet-García, I have the pleasure of crafting fresh creative solutions for a diverse group of clients. As a recent Jacksonville transplant, I enjoy spending my days at the beach and my nights with good food and friends. I also have an affinity for fashion magazines, board games and adventures abroad.

Vice: Cuban cafe after lunch

I love how the best ideas come when you’re not even thinking about that project. So when I’m not at BG, I do the things that usually inspire me, like walking barefoot in the house or having some beers with friends. Maybe I’m out dancing salsa or taking pictures, but if not, I’m daydreaming.

Vice: Candy

Back in grade school, I used to hang out in the library while I waited for my parents to pick me up. The school had this one old computer that was used for viewing the electronic encyclopedia. I explored every nook and cranny of that machine seeking entertainment. My perseverance paid off when I stumbled upon two old QBasic games. The full source code was editable, and I spent a good amount of time randomly adjusting things to see what would happen. That’s pretty much what I do now, but less randomly.

Vice: Cake — slice of cake, bite of cake, cupcake. I will eat it endlessly in any form.

I am basically a Jacksonville native. I wandered around a bit before settling back down here and am happy to call this great city home. I like buying things – anything really – coffee, shoes, bags, clothes, you name it and I will have fun buying it.

Vice: Online Madden (I always lose)

As a 13 year veteran of the television news business, I’ve washed my share of dirty laundry and negotiated my way through cruel and shallow network money trenches. I’ve decided making a living practicing the gentle art of persuasion is more rewarding. Growing up in the cultural petri dish of in-town Atlanta and spending most my professional life in the Carolinas has taught me to appreciate urban and country living. As a second generation Cuban American, I’m dedicated to continuing a proud family tradition of waking up late and having the loudest, most opinionated voice at dinner parties.

Vice: Puerto Rican food!

I love life. I don’t think I can sum it up any better than that. I am passionate about my family and my friends. My childhood was lived in mostly third world countries in South America and Africa. My father was a Peace Corps Director and he made sure that my brother and I were not sheltered but rather exposed to diverse cultures and people. Many of them lived in horrible conditions and in countries where they had no voice or freedom and yet, they were grateful and beautiful people. That made a lasting impression on me. These experiences greatly influenced what I think of small business as well. I will forever champion the underdog! We all have a voice and it is up to us how that is heard, who hears it and what it is saying.

Vice: Corn Dogs

I’m a sailor, globe-trotter, and animal lover. I believe that the power to change — ourselves, our circumstances, our luck — lies within each of us. Food is my favorite pastime (eating it, not necessarily making it). And I am addicted to editing everything.

Vice: A borderline obsession with all things football and Conan O’Brien. Side note: bandwagoners are my pet peeve.

After four fast-paced years at the University of Florida, I recently moved back home to Jacksonville and have been jumping from local publication to local publication until fortunately landing at BG as a copy writing/ PR intern. I am on a constant quest to find classic novels that I have yet to read (and there aren’t many left). When I’m not scouring bookstores, I enjoy traveling (Paris reigns as my most recent – and exciting – expedition) and trying to develop an “I’ll just have the regular” status at local eateries.

Vice: Abbreviating anything and everything, Don Draper

I have always loved imagining new possibilities and finding things that inspire me. Because I can’t open a blank canvas in PhotoShop and come up with a brilliant ad, I found the perfect way to combine my OCD personality with the creative world-working in account management. I am admittedly a consumer and love brand names. The positive is that I really enjoy getting a deeper understanding of why people buy what they buy. (This pleases my sociologist father.) I am extremely outgoing and could make conversation with a brick wall. When I’m not at BG, I can be found at one of the local hot spots anywhere along A1A.