PD Scullin (not actual size)

PD Scullin (aka Patrick Scullin) describes his advertising copywriting career as “a lot like Don Draper in Madmen, without all the chain-smoking, bourbon breakfasts, and extramarital affairs.” Early in his professional life, Scullin worked for a traveling circus as a marketing director. A job title that title sounded much more professional and legitimate than advance man. His job was traveling three weeks ahead of the big top and living alone in cheap motels. He negotiated all media buys, sold retail promotions, generated publicity, scheduled and drove the advance clown to media appointments, performed public relations, and smooth-talked media relations. He also ordered hay for the elephants, along with a slew of other circus-related chores–– none of them involving a shovel, thank you very much. The experience gave him the inspiration and authoritative grounding for this novel. Following his circus experience, Scullin dove back into the ad game where he blazed a trail writing for various ad agencies in eight cities coast-to-coast. He created some famous campaigns along the way and eventually decided he would be a better employer than an employee. In 1997, with two partners, he opened Ames Scullin O’Haire Advertising in Atlanta. The agency grew fast and built an excellent reputation working with Mitsubishi Electric, UPS, The Coca-Cola Company, Golf Pride Golf Grips, Georgia Aquarium, and many more. He sold his agency after 21-years to write what he wanted. PD is married, has two sons, and lives in Atlanta.