Part of a recurring series where we ask a Full Contact employee a couple of off-the-wall (and yet revealing) questions.
1. Who are you, and what is your role at Full Contact?
My name is Marty Donohue, and I’m a partner and creative director here at Full Contact. Tim Foley and I own the place, and have since 2006.
2. Speaking of roles, who is your personal role model? (And tell us why)
That’s easy. My dad is my role model. He grew up shortly after the Depression in a family that had little to no money. He left high school to fight for his country during the Korean War, came home to marry my mom and raise five kids by working his butt off and never complaining, and provided a great and happy life for my sisters and me. We didn’t have everything but didn’t lack for anything.
3. What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
When we were thinking of starting the company I asked the great Tom Monahan (founder of the legendary creative New England hot shop Leonard Monahan Lubars and Partners) for advice. He said he thought starting your own agency was a great thing to do, and then he said that “mistakes will still be made, but now they’ll be your mistakes.” Still sticks with me today.
4. If you could magically become anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
Also easy. I would become Steve Perry and kick that fake lead singer right out of Journey and take back my rightful place at the throne of arena rock royalty.
5. And while we are imagining things, what is your Full Contact superpower?
I always believed a sense of humor was a great superpower to have in this business. It may be truer than ever now.
6. We know you do amazing things at Full Contact, but what do you do that’s kind of amazing outside of these four walls?
The most amazing thing I have ever done I did with my wife – and that is raise three outstanding yet completely off-the-wall children.
7. And finally, how do you make Full Contact in your job?
By believing that the way we think and feel and do what we do around here every day really does make a big difference.