We’re happy to welcome our newest Social Media Strategist, Ryan McAssey, to the #RDWSosh Team. He comes backed with a wealth of digital and social experience, love of industry puns, and enthusiasm to help create positive change. Hear what he had to say about eggplant parm and a superpower involving buffalo wings.
1.Do you have any nicknames we should know about?
Nothing in recent years, but I’m always open to a ‘rebranding’ (bad advertising pun #1, badum-tiss!)
2.What are your favorite and least favorite foods?
I could live off of sushi, and I’m about one “eh, it tastes good on everything else” from putting buffalo sauce on my breakfast. A stark contrast from my pepperoni and cheese sandwich-laden childhood, I’m now a sucker for a stacked veggie tray or a bowl of seasoned quinoa. That being said, I’m in a totally shameless relationship with pizza and watch football almost solely for the hot wings.
There is, however, a solid possibility I am the only person you will ever meet that can’t get behind peanut butter. Additionally, in some inexplicable anomaly for a born-and-raised Cranstonite, I’m also not an eggplant parm guy.
3.What is your favorite part about working in social media?
Social Media is the human voice for the intangible. Being able to personify and connect a brand to its community in a way that is resemblant of a conversation between friends is an immensely powerful tool. While all industries have a change in the tides of trends, the waves in social media crash higher and more frequently than most. The fast pace of new platforms, technological advancements, and strategic utilization keep me on my toes to make sure my mindset is the most modernly effective.
Oh, and deadmau5 once retweeted me.
4.Why did you choose RDW?
My career has led me from both internal departments and agencies to look for a full-service shop that employs a team of enthusiastic specialists that take pride in learning and growth. In my search, the reputation of RDW appeared to typify just that. After my initial meeting with the team, I could tell this was a force I wanted to be a part of. I’m happy to be able to have the opportunity to learn from and contribute to this growing and creative team.
5.Cat person or dog person? Why?
I grew up with a yappily loving dog and am now the proud furfather of an affectionately ridiculous tortie kitten. At some point down the line I’d love to add a golden retriever or a Siberian Husky to the mix. Though, as future calendars that may grace my office walls will visually proclaim, I’m usually known as the cat guy.
6. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To be able to materialize buffalo wings at hilariously inappropriate moments.
7. Most rewarding project/past achievement you’ve been a part of?
I was privileged to have the opportunity to both work as an orientation leader at Quinnipiac University and found a fraternity chapter and be the vice president. As an orientation leader we acted as a type of social and academic catalyst to segue incoming freshmen into calling our University their new home. While founding the fraternity I had the opportunity to build an organizational framework from the ground up, while also establishing our status in the greater university community.
Both experiences gave me multitudes of rewarding experience that I find myself using all the time in my life and career today.
8. What’s your background?
I have worked in a range of digital marketing and advertising functions for both brands and agencies alike. My role in recent years has been the agency world (occasionally with a Roger Sterling vest and all) of digital marketing and social media. In college I studied Media Studies and Psychology, which lead to my early fascination with branding and marketing. I pitched a rebranding campaign as my senior capstone project and never looked back. When social media began to come to prominence as a medium in 2010-2011, I knew where I wanted to translate that passion.
The brains behind this operation.