Mike Rainey

Chief Creative Officer

Why do you do what you do?
Not many careers allow you to solve a different creative problem every day, and I love the challenge of doing that. Working with so many smart, fun people is a bonus. But making a difference for our clients and helping to change a community for the better, these are the reasons I do what I do.

What was your proudest career moment?
My life flashed before my eyes. In a nearby swamp at sunrise, I was standing knee-deep in alligators shooting a TV spot. That was precisely the moment I realized how truly passionate I am about the work. The campaign went on to win national acclaim. I went on to purchase new underwear.

What fuels you to do the best?
Early in my career, I worked for an egotistic, often maniacal, creative director. I will never become that. To this day, those experiences motivate me to do everything in my power to elevate our craft at every turn. While working smarter and harder, the best advice I give to young prodigies is to, “outlast the idiots.”

What drew you to Zehnder?
In 1996, a coworker told me that I must meet Jeff Zehnder. She believed that this former colleague of hers and I were driven by a common fire—to go beyond the run of the mill agency. We met for a beer and over 15 years later, we’re still drinking beers, having that same conversation.

What do you suck at?
Although I excelled in geometry, math was never my thing. Calculus and trigonometry intimidated me into eventually changing my major to design with a minor in photography. My wife helps our daughters with their math homework.

Describe your most quirky trait:
I get the willies when someone cracks their knuckles within earshot. (eewww)

Outside Zehnder I love to…

• Go fishing near Bayou Dularge
• Play WoW with Dave Maher
• Take employees to the Wing Snack
• Play dress up with my daughters
• Listen to the Black Keys