Mark Winer

What did your 18 year old self see you becoming?

Probably the next Johnny Carson or David Letterman. Or a professional baseball player. Or a writer.  Or a teacher. Or even a bartender. But definitely NOT a commercial photographers agent.

What reality show would you invent?

The advertising version of American Idol. Contestants are assigned a task each week to create an original web video for a real client. A panel of judges votes each week until there is one creative person remaining. The winner gets a contract with a top ad agency or marketing department. Boom!

If you weren’t a photo agent, what would you do?

I love representing, and getting to know amazingly talented human beings. So maybe an actor’s agent or a sports agent?

When you need it, what inspires you?

Definitely my family. Always good for a laugh, and keeping everything in perspective.

How do you get your news?

Anywhere and everywhere! I’m a total news nerd, especially business and politics.

What do you know now, you wish you’d known when you first started out?

I wish I had known how long it would take to build a legitimate, trusted and viable business in this crazy and ever changing advertising industry. On second thought, maybe not….I may not have taken the plunge. So in this case, I’d say ignorance was bliss :)!

What might surprise people about you?

I’m claustrophobic – planes and elevators terrify me. During one particularly rough episode, I actually had an airline attendant ask me “Sir, is this a medical emergency? Have you ever heard of Xanax?”

What were you like as a 10 year old?

I loved sports. I also had long, straight hair and was often mistaken for a girl. One famous episode in 6th grade, a substitute teacher called on me to answer a question, calling me “Miss Weener”. The classroom roared with laughter. I think the substitute was more embarrassed than I was.

What superpower would you want? Feel free to invent one.

To be able to fly. That is one of my recurring dreams. 

What is your dream assignment?

To travel with one of our photographers to an exotic (and warm) location for a multi-week shoot where there is an unlimited budget. 

What celebrity (actor, writer, musician) would you most want to have dinner with?

Bill Murray.

What are the top 2 things on your bucket list?

Write a screenplay.  Meet Bill Murray.