Advancer of the Year: Jon Thomsen

Advancer of the Year: Jon Thomsen

Advertising is a team effort, but recognising the people who bring it all together is what keeps the momentum alive. That’s why we take a moment at the end of each year to acknowledge an ‘Advancer of the Year’: someone who has gone above and beyond to bring our CRISP values to life through being collaborative, respectful, intentional, straightforward, and passionate.

This year, we recognized an Advancer who, throughout the 12 years that he has been at Advance, has consistently shown up with heart and humour: Jon Thomsen. A positive and true collaborator, Jon balances straightforward communication with a creative approach and never fails to meet challenges with a smile.

We’re grateful for all the ways in which Jon delivers great work for our clients and actively contributes to an agency culture that we’re proud of. Get to know our Advancer of the Year through this Q&A…and from all of us at the agency, thank you and congratulations, Jon!

How long have you been at Advance and what is your role?
I’ve been here for 12 years, and my role is Senior Project Manager. I started as a Digital Project Manager back when we still had a digital department, and I applied for the job because I’d heard that Advance is a great place to work. When I started, I was pleasantly surprised to be put on projects with the LEGO Group, and I still work almost exclusively on those projects today.

What motivates you most about your work?
I get to work with a client that encourages creativity and playfulness for people of all ages…including adults! And the best part is that they partner with movie franchises and IPs that I’m a huge fan of. So, I get to focus on what I love outside of work while I’m at work. To do that together with a group of fantastic people who are fun, authentic, enthusiastic, incredibly talented, and treat each other well makes me genuinely enjoy what I do.

What’s one stand-out project that you’re particularly proud of?
Earlier this year, we did a project for LEGO ICONS Lord of the Rings: The Shire where we got to work together with Sean Astin, who played Samwise in the original LOTR. We flew out to LA for that, and meeting him in person was pretty unforgettable! We did a similar project with the LEGO Group later this year when we worked on a spot for LEGO Ideas The Goonies together with Ke Huy Quan. It’s been a year full of highlights for me.

“When I leave for work in the morning, I just know I’m going to have fun.”

What’s your favourite part of working at Advance?
When I leave for work in the morning, I just know I’m going to have fun. Sure, tough things will come up, but it’s also going to be fun. Working with so many creative people, you never know exactly how the day is going to go, and I’ve found myself in so many fun, unexpected situations because of it. For example, I’ve learned that I’m a great hand model and made a cameo appearance as a Pac Man ghost.

What inspires you outside of your work?
The first thing that comes to mind is family: they are a daily source of inspiration and motivation for me. But also, on a nerdier level, I’m deeply inspired by all of the themes that I get to work with in my daily work. From superhero franchises to eighties films, I’m an adult child and I embrace it fully. Whenever there’s a comic con or a toy fair, I’ll be sure to go…I still dream of making it to San Diego Comic-Con!