2008 40 Under Forty: Derek Beahn

Derek Beahn

Age: 35

Title: Account Manager

Company: smith&jones

Company location: Sturbridge

Residence: Douglas

Career highlights:

I am an advertising agency account manager at smith&jones in Sturbridge. My primary responsibility is managing the relationship between the agency and multiple clients and working closely with clients in developing their marketing communications. As an account manager, I develop marketing and media plans, define strategic messaging, and coordinate and carry out the plans on a daily basis. I’ve been with smith&jones for almost 10 years. Before that I worked briefly with another agency and with the Telegram & Gazette’s sales staff.

Community involvement:

For the past six years I have spearheaded smith&jones’ participation in an annual CreateAthon, where the agency donates time and efforts to help nonprofit organizations with their marketing materials culminating in a 24-hour creative blitz to execute all the work.

To date, we have donated more than $200,000 worth of services to 37 local nonprofits. I also help other local nonprofit organizations with their marketing throughout the year such as WICN Radio, Voices for Children Bike Ride, and the Molly Bish Foundation.

Helping these organizations get services they would not otherwise be able to afford (but need) is very rewarding.

Biggest professional success:

The initial and ongoing success of our CreateAthon efforts. This event grows each and every year and is a great source of personal satisfaction for me.

Businesperson you admire most:

Probably David Ogilvy. He started in advertising in the 1930s as a novice account executive after selling stoves door to door. He started his own ad agency and grew it to one of the most successful in the world. His success was based on his principle of creating iconic, practical, and effective advertising solutions.

If you weren’t doing the job you’re doing now, what would you do?

I worked during college and immediately after in construction and carpentry. Although I quickly learned how difficult it is to work outside in New England, I still enjoy working with my hands.

Favorite movie:

“Pulp Fiction” is still my all-time favorite.