Sam & a friend in Barcelona

Samantha Kimmel is an AAE on jcpenney at SaatchiNY. She started with the agency through the intern program in the summer of 2010, and has been working with the jcp team since the start of this year. If you’re interested in learning more about Sam, be sure to check out her LinkedIn page.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT SAATCHI & SAATCHI?
I’m the mayor (on foursquare) . . . and an Assistant Account Executive on jcpenney.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
This is actually my first job. I officially graduate college this Sunday. First internship was as a lab assistant at the Harvard University Laboratory for Clinical and Developmental Research. We studied people who engage in self-injury.

WHAT LED YOU ON THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?
I read an article in a magazine about S&S, oddly enough. It seemed really cool. Then I interned at Publicis Mojo in Sydney and Publicis London – which ultimately brought me to Saatchi New York! I love psychology, but I wanted to do something with visible results, and a bit more creative . . . which combined = advertising.

WHAT ARE YOUR LOVEMARKS?
APPLE! I got my iphone (finally) a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed.

Chelsea Handler – I am mildly obsessed with everything Chelsea Handler.

The Yankees – despite losing the past 6 games straight (note, they finally won last night!), I can’t get enough of the Yankees. I watched every game with my dad and brother growing up.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE AD (ALL TIME OR CURRENTLY)?
The Google Chrome – “It Gets Better” ad. I was watching TiVo and fast-forwarding commercials but this one grabbed my attention. I went back and watched it 5 times. I think this is amazing. It’s dually beneficial for the “It Gets Better” cause and Google Chrome. Great example of

SHOWING a product benefit, and really just inspiring.

IF YOU NEVER HAD TO WORK AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO DO?
TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL! And lay on the beach all day.

FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN TO?
Three way tie between Fiji, Aruba and Barcelona. Fiji is just the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. Breathtakingly beautiful. Aruba is my second home, I’ve been going since I was little and I can’t wait to go back in February. Barcelona – patatas bravas, Gaudi, the Mediterranean Sea, sandcastles, and Sangria – enough said?

WHAT’S YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
My chanel shoes. I worked for 4 months at Publicis London to pay for them, and they live on a glass bookshelf next to my bed.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO?
Favorite YouTube video is the Google Chrome Ad (see above). I cannot stop watching it – I am dying to get involved in this project. Does anyone have more information about “It Gets Better?” What an amazing message and what a unique way to tell it.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU MAKE REALLY WELL?
Pastrami sandwiches with pickles. Was this a cooking question or am I just confused?

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WARM-WEATHER NYC ACTIVITY?
Reading Chelsea Handler memoirs and eating bagels on my roof deck. So peaceful.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHTIME SPOT NEAR THE OFFICE?
Mae Mae. Best grilled cheese in NYC. And I LOVE the pickles too. Everything is grown locally, as well. I am also a huge fan of the food trucks – particularly the Kimchi Taco truck that comes on Thursday’s and the Rickshaw Dumpling truck.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO KARAOKE SONG? (COME ON, WE KNOW YOU HAVE ONE).
I do not support karaoke. But my college roommate Elisabeth Norvik does a really great “What’s Going On” by 4 Non Blondes.

WHAT’S THE BEST MEAL YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Kobe beef meatballs with whipped ricotta cheese at Lavo, Las Vegas. Also, eggs benedict at Tartine.

IF YOU COULD BE THE WORLD RECORD HOLDER OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Holding my breath underwater.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE PURSUIT?
Writing. I love to watch people and write about them. I create my version of their life story.

WHAT BLOGS/MAGAZINES/BOOKS/PAPERS/WEBSITES CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
I’m going to substitute blogs/magazines/books with TV. I can’t live without Bravo shows.

WHAT’S THE LAST GREAT EVENT YOU WENT TO?
Kim Kardashian’s pool party in Vegas last month . . . just kidding . . . but seriously . . .

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Do what makes you happy. It’s underrated and overstated, but it’s the only thing that really matters.

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE STORY?
I don’t have one worth telling YET, but I am working on it. In the meantime, here is a quote that embodies my vision of Nothing Is Impossible:

“I wanted to be a writer, I made myself a writer. I want a ridiculously extravagant pair of shoes, I find a way to buy them.”