Andrew McNeil is our very own HEILBrice Flash Developer and Traffic Manager. A well-rounded young man, and a “liked by everyone” individual, Andy takes pride in his career and comes to work with a smile on his face every single day. I thought it would be interesting to interview Andrew and find out a little bit more about him as a person, and what it is he really does.

ANGELA: Hello Andrew
ANDREW: How’s it going Angela?

ANGELA: Would you rather go by Andrew or Andy?
ANDREW: Andy. Only my mom calls me Andrew and it’s usually not a good thing when she does.

ANGELA: How long have been working in this industry and how did you get started?
ANDREW: For around two and half years now. I was lucky enough to find HEILBrice right as I graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, and have been here ever since.

ANGELA: What does a flash developer and a traffic manager do?
ANDREW: I’d say problem solves. There are always new challenges with technology and restrictions as to what you can do with a new banner ad.  I need to figure out how to best accommodate the clients’ needs, while at the same time making a captivating banner ad that’ll stand out from the thousands someone will see every day – this is the biggest hurdle. As a traffic manager, I try to not lose my mind every day. Who knew that one piece of paper could make or break a radio campaign?

ANGELA: What do you enjoy more traffic or flash development?
ANDREW: Each one presents its own challenges and although I would rather do Flash work over traffic, there’s something satisfying to seeing a TV commercial on live television that you helped get on the air. Plus when I meet a lady friend for the first time it helps to say “You see that commercial? Yea, I made that happen.” That hasn’t really worked yet but it won’t stop me from trying.

ANGELA: Ha-ha! I am sure it will happen especially since you are such a talented person Andy!

ANGELA: Name the top four artists on your iPod?
ANDREW: Does Pandora count?

ANGELA: No
ANDREW: Kid Cudi, B.o.B., Jay-Z, old Eminem.

ANGELA: What do you enjoy most about your job?
ANDREW: That’s an easy one, the people. Any place you work at will have the same types of print jobs, interactive work, and TV production but not every place will have all the characters you’ll find here.

ANGELA: What is your favorite holiday and why?
ANDREW: Hmm, Christmas for the presents … I mean spending time with my family. I don’t get to see them much so I look forward to December.

ANGELA: Tell me about a typical workday for you.
ANDREW: A typical workday? What’s that? From working on banners, eBlasts and updating the numerous social media sites we manage, to dealing with radio and TV stations who seem to have misplaced your instructions for the hundredth time and trying to teach Kingston new tricks, I don’t really have a typical workday.

ANGELA: What is your favorite project that you have gotten to work on? Why?
ANDREW: It’s a more recent project but I would have to say it’s been the banner ads for A&P. Creating anywhere from four to eight new banners every week for the past four weeks has been a huge challenge, and one of the most rewarding things I’ve worked on.

ANGELA: What do you enjoy to do when you are not working?
ANDREW: During the week you can usually find me camped in front of the TV doing “research” for work. Those commercials aren’t going to watch themselves.

ANGELA: If you were a super hero, what would your gift be?
ANDREW: Flying for sure.