The $1 resident nerd

As I mentioned elsewhere on this site, I spent the first part of my career as an art director in ad agencies: Ammirati & Puris, DDB, Bozell, Dentsu, and others. Part of that job included working with photographers and models for photoshoots. When casting called for “the nerdy computer guy,” I ended up in front of the camera a few times.

First up is when Sting and I appeared in an ad together at Sting's suggestion! After showing him a mock-up of a print ad, I told him we were going to cast a model who looked like a guy who knew his way around a computer, i.e., a nerdy guy. Sting said I had “the look” and I got the job. I was paid $1 by the ad agency for my modeling.

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Me, on the left. Sting, on the right. I didn't want you to get us confused.

At another point in my career, Degree antiperspirant was one of the brands I worked on. Although I was not the creative person behind the ad below, the team thought I had “the look” they were going for, an adult man who might collect action figures, i.e., a nerdy guy. I made $1 for my appearance in the ad in 2006. 

If I'd saved the earnings from my modeling career, it would be worth approximately $8.48 today. Compounding interest is a puzzle I understand. 💰🧩

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Degree Inaction Hero print ad with me as the model holding a doll.

This completes my modeling portfolio, but I will step into service again if you need a computer geek.