staff positions

 

PETER HOFFMAN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP                     

CEO  |  Executive Creative Director

Founder of award-winning advertising agency. Hands-on creative for all accounts; supervises creative work, and production. Chief strategist. Peter runs all existing business and new business efforts, and coordinates all partnering media, research and technology companies. Hires and signs off on all creative core and project talent, as well as account management and other personnel. Partners with and works on projects for many other agencies across the country on numerous creative assignments, in addition to servicing his own clients. Most recently, Peter had the pleasure of using legendary actress Betty White for nearly all of the television, radio, print, new media and web work for his client The Lifeline Program, winning two Gold MarComs in the process. He also recently created the new branding effort, including the new tag/branding line and print campaign, for the Hope For Depression Research Foundation, whose mission is to raise both awareness of the effects of the disease as well as money for the world's top pharmaceutical researchers in the field, including Nobel Laureates. In the area of lifting spirits, Peter created, wrote and co-directed the introductory worldwide television "You Could Use A Good Laugh!" campaign for Comedy Central. Especially satisfying is the privilege of doing pro-bono advertising work and consultation for Big Dog Ranch Rescue of Palm Beach, the southeast's largest "no kill" shelter & adoption refuge who rescues and provides medical care for hundreds of abandoned and critically ill dogs, many of whom were just days or even hours away from being euthanized. In all, Peter has created over one thousand national, global, and regional television, radio, print, B2B, and new media campaigns, for over 100 clients in all categories through the auspices of his agency.  

 

PUBLICIS GROUPE, NY                                               

Principal  |  Creative Director

Publicis Groupe is the world's third largest advertising agency. Peter's initial work on a television project for Champs Sports won the agency the business. Headed up and ran the entire Champs Sports business, in the U.S. flagship New York office, which included a new national branding campaign and tagline for the base business, as well as creating and supervising all dedicated national new product launches via television, radio and print for Nike, adidas, and Reebok, working with and presenting directly to the senior management of those companies. Created and supervised the entire panoply of national work on Champs brand which focused on the 18-34 demographic. Created and supervised the Champs Sports introduction to New York which centered around the concept of New York being a great, gritty, real, and unique natural "arena" for sports. Ran the agency's BMW business which included national image advertising and dealer groups, creating and supervising all advertising for our portion of the brand. Worked and supervised other agency business. Headed up and worked on new business efforts. Was integral part of management team and strategic formulation and planning for the New York office. 

 

MESSNER, VETERE, B, M & S / Euro RSCG, NY                                 

Creative Director  |  Writer

Originally hired by Tom Messner and Barry Vetere as a young writer at Ally & Gargano, Peter was delighted to have been invited to be reunited a few years later with his two early mentors not long after they formed their own agency, which became a success very quickly. There, he worked on Volvo, MCI, Club Med, USA Network, New Balance, Timberland, Johnson & Evinrude, et al.  

 

BOZELL WORLDWIDE, NY                                                     

Senior V.P.  |  Group Creative Director

Peter created and supervised the major national advertising and branding efforts for the Valvoline account, running the business as Creative Director, which included both base-brand advertising as well as their extensive NASCAR and IndyCar Motor Sports national and international television and print campaigns. He also worked on and oversaw Merrill-Lynch, Showtime Networks, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Alcoa, the National Cable Television Association, U.S. Air Force, Novartis (Excedrin), and GlaxoSmithKline, for whom he created the introductory campaign for Imitrex, a prescription migraine medication. In addition, he worked extensively on the agency's new business efforts.

 

ALLY & GARGANO, NY                                                             

Senior V.P.  |  Group Creative Director

Peter was hired as a writer at Ally & Gargano the year the agency won "Agency Of The Year." It went on to become over the next decade the most highly-awarded agency in the business. Spending ten fulfilling and successful years at Ally during that time,, he was rapidly promoted to Vice President/Associate Creative Director, and soon afterward to Senior Vice President/Group Creative Director. Peter worked on - and was creatively in charge of - the National Football League, NBC, Pfizer (Ben-Gay et al), Bryan Foods (a Sara Lee company), Jergens, Polaroid, Ralston-Purina, Resorts International, Bank of New York, and Bahamas Department of Tourism. He also worked extensively on Federal Express, Dunkin' Donuts, MCI, Shearson Lehman, Great Waters Of France (Poland Spring), Saab, Cadbury-Schweppes, Icy Vodka, Queens County District Attorney's Office, Commodore Computers, "Tooth Invaders" video game, as well as new business efforts. His campaign & tag/branding line - "Leadership By Example" - was instrumental in winning the Shearson Lehman business for the agency by positioning them as the trusted, solid, corporate gold standard global leader countering what was at that time the "wild west" reputation of Wall Street investment banking. His tag/branding line for Poland Spring water,  "Maine's Great Natural Resource" was used for over a decade.  

 

McCANN-ERICKSON, NY                                                       

Writer

Soon after graduating from college at age 20, Peter began his career at McCann. On his first day at the agency, he had the good fortune to be one of the two writers of the two teams assigned to work on the Sony pitch. It came down to McCann vs Y & R. The other three creatives on the pitch were all creative directors. Peter's work and tag line he co-wrote, "Sony, The One and Only" (which lasted for over two decades as Sony's tag line) was instrumental in winning the business. He worked on Sony extensively as his primary account over the next three years, working on the complete line of its advertised video and audio products, in all media - including creating and writing the introductory launch for the iconic Sony Walkman with his campaign, "There's A Revolution In The Streets." and winning several top industry awards for his Sony work. The Walkman effort turned out to be one of the most successful launches in advertising history. Being an avid sports guy, he was delighted to have had the opportunity to work on the legendary Miller Lite "Great Taste, Less Filling" television campaign, where his first national television commercial ran on every game of the World Series that year. He also worked on other agency business, including the Miller Brewing Company brands Miller High Life and Lowenbrau, as well as the agency's largest global cornerstone client, Coca-Cola. He did a great deal of work on Mellon Bank, as well as working on Nestle, Gillette, Brown-Forman, Tambrands, and others.        

 

projects and partnering

 

BBDO/OMNICOM, NY

OGILVY & MATHER, NY

DEUTSCH INC, NY

YOUNG & RUBICAM, NY

J WALTER THOMPSON, NY

McKINNEY & SILVER, NC

BEBER SILVERSTEIN & PARTNERS, MIAMI

LONG HAYMES CARR, NC

HARRIS DRURY COHEN, FL

epstein raboy, NY

FURMAN ROTH, NY  

grey advertising, NY  

RYAN DROSSMAN MARC, NY

DENTSU AMERICA, NY

EARLE PALMER BROWN, NY

 

awards

 

CLIO               2 National CLIO Awards

ONE SHOW    Multiple awards

MARCOM       2 Gold MarCom Awards

ANDY              Multiple

ADDY              Multiple

A.D. CLUB      Multiple

FLORIDA        Best TV Commercial of Year in Category (Health/Hospitals)

Chosen as one of the New York Times’ Voices Of The New Generation.

 

clients and projects

 

Sony   ~   Nike   ~   BMW   ~   Federal Express   ~   National Football League   ~   Miller Brewing Company (Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Lowenbrau)   ~   Comedy Central   ~   adidas   ~   Dunkin’ Donuts   ~   Comcast   ~   New York Mets   ~   Barneys New York   ~   Verizon   ~   Club Med   ~   Coca-Cola   ~   Mercedes-Benz   ~   Pfizer   ~   Children’s Defense Fund   ~   Reebok   ~   Volvo   ~   PepsiCo   ~   Merrill-Lynch   ~    Ferrari   ~   Tiffany & Co   ~   Giorgio Armani   ~   General Motors    ~   NBC   ~   Wachovia   ~   Poland Spring Water   ~   Champs Sports   ~   Saab   ~   MCI   ~   Ralston-Purina   ~   AvMedHealth Plans   ~   Shearson Lehman   ~   Valvoline   ~   Timberland   ~   Sara Lee (Bryan Foods)   ~   Nestle   ~   Detroit Tigers   ~   New Balance  ~   Sara Lee   ~   Broward Health/Hospitals   ~   Showtime Networks   ~   Atlantis Resort and Casino   ~   Mothers Against Drunk Driving   ~   State of Florida Dep't of Transportation   ~   Alfa Romeo   ~   U.S Marine Corp   ~   Carnival Cruises   ~   L’Oreal   ~   Hallmark Channel   ~   Dyson   ~   U.S. Air Force   ~   Caribbean Tourism Bureau   ~   American Airlines   ~   Bank of New York   ~   Ralph Lauren   ~   Lamborghini   ~   Minolta Copiers   ~   Cadbury-Schweppes   ~   Florida Orange Growers Association   ~   Hunter Douglas   ~   McLaren   ~   Bahamas Department of Tourism   ~   USA Network   ~   National Education Association   ~   New York Methodist Hospital   ~   Jergens   ~   Resorts International   ~   National Cable Television Association   ~   Gillette   ~   Polaroid   ~   Stouffers   ~   Tambrands   ~   Anhauser-Busch   ~   Mellon Bank   ~   Alcoa   ~   Chris Evert Children's Hospital   ~   Brown-Forman Spirits (Jack Daniel’s;  Icy Vodka)   ~  Gotajob.com   ~   Hardees   ~   Charivari NY   ~   Cohen's Fashion Optical   ~   Allied Van Lines   ~   Bristol-Myers Squibb   ~   Pabst Brewing Company   ~   Catherine Deneuve Parfum   ~   GlaxoSmithKline   ~   Miami Marlins   ~   Sentinel canine meds   ~   Rheingold Brewing Co.   ~   Pollo Tropical   ~   Barnett Bank   ~   Queens County D.A. Office   ~   Toblerone Chocolatier   ~   Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapels   ~   Johnson-Evinrude   ~   Florida Power & Light   ~   SlimFast   ~   Bay’s English Muffins   ~   Training The Street Financial Services   ~   B & H Camera & Electronics   ~   Bank Atlantic   ~   Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation   ~   The Lifeline Program   ~   Big Dog Ranch Rescue (a no-kill dog rescue shelter - pro bono work)   ~   IDW Publishing   ~   Oakley   ~   Hope For Depression Research Foundation   ~   Avocado Growers   ~   Virgin Mobile   ~   Harris Telecommunications   ~   Equinox    ~   Bumble & Bumble   ~   Bear Stearns   ~   et al

 

Category expertise

 

Industry and product & service categories in which Peter has specialized knowledge and interest include:

  • Professional Sports - A Broad and Deep Knowledge of Pro Sports Teams and Leagues

  • Sports Equipment and Apparel, including Running Shoes.

  • Automobiles

  • Financial Institutions

  • Computers

  • High Tech

  • Consumer Electronics

  • Luxury Goods

  • Media Companies

  • Entertainment

  • Pharmaceutical

  • Hospitals and Health Care

  • Charities and Organizations

  • Insurance

  • Health Insurance

  • Beer and Wine

  • Spirits - White and Brown

  • High-End Retail

  • Airlines

  • Consumer Packaged Goods

  • Telecommunications

  • Package Delivery

  • Publishing

  • Food

  • Restaurants

  • Fast Food

  • Art

  • Fashion

  • Home Furnishings and Design

  • Cosmetics

  • Travel, Cruise Lines, and Resort

 

teaching

 

Lynn University, Boca Raton FL Adjunct Professor , Playwriting. Currently, 2019

The School Of Visual Arts, NY   Instructor. Taught graduate professional portfolio course in advertising concept & copy – 6 yrs

Miami Ad School, Miami            Guest lecturer | Guest Instructor – “Heroes Of The Industry” Program

Queens College, NY                    Instructor – Writing Skills Workshop. Taught writing & literature to undergrads & adult ed students

 

notable new campaigns, new business wins & tag lines (partial list)

 

SONY *                                     The One And Only (Co-wrote line. Lasted nearly two decades)   

SONY WALKMAN                    There’s A Revolution In The Streets

SHEARSON LEHMAN *           Leadership By Example   

COMEDY CENTRAL *               You Can Use A Good Laugh    

POLAND SPRING                     Maine’s Great Natural Resource

ALFA ROMEO                           The Alfa Of Sports Cars

RALSTON-PURINA                 (Bran News Cereal Intro) Funny Name. Serious Crunch

BAHAMAS TOURISM              The New Wave In The Caribbean

BARNETT BANK                      The Business Of Life

WACHOVIA *                           Keeping The Promise

WACHOVIA                              We'll Show You The Way

CARIBBEAN TOURISM            "I've Been Caribbeaned."    Soak It All In  

BRYAN FOODS                        It Just Tastes Better

CHAMPS SPORTS  *               When You Really Live Sports.

CHAMPS SPORTS                   New York Is The Arena, Champs Is The Store  (For NY introduction)

U.S. MARINES                          Corps Values

U.S. NAVY                                The Sky's The Limit   (project)

THE LIFELINE PROGRAM       The Life-Changing Solution

HOPE FOR DEPRESSION *      Funding The Best Minds, To Heal Minds

AVOCADO GROWERS ASSN     Make Your Life A Little Greener

C.C.A.                                         Hope Is Where The Heart Is

B.D.R.R.                                      Saving Lives, One Best Friend At A Time  (Pro Bono)

*  Line and campaign won the account

 

skill sets

  • Complete range of media writing expertise: TV | Radio | Print | Business-To-Business and Trade | All Script Forms and Formats | Direct | Web Site Writing | Web Site Concepts & Graphic Design Ideas & Architectures | Presentation | Social Media | Experiential | Mobile | Long-Form Brochures | White Papers | Corporate Communications | Biography

  • Strategic Planning.

  • Very strong film / TV / radio production background. Peter has directed many of his television campaigns, all of his radio commercials, and have supervised entire production & post of all the commercials he has written/created.

  • Peter has also art directed many of the print campaigns he has created and written.

  • Excellent client-facing skills. Experienced and compelling presenter in meetings.

  • Strong and committed mentor and teacher in his roles of a creative director and grad school instructor.

  • Peter brings a wide range of outside creative interests, involvements, skills, elements, and affections to his work, in the disciplines of art, music, poetry, film, fiction, photography, etc.

 

publication credits  -  COVER STORIES | OP-EDS | FEATURE ARTICLES | ESSAYS | PROFILES | FICTION | poetry

  • NEW YORK TIMES

  • NEW YORK TIMES WORLDWIDE SYNDICATION

  • NEW YORK NEWSDAY

  • BOSTON GLOBE SUNDAY MAGAZINE

  • NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

  • NEW YORK POST

  • ADVERTISING AGE

  • SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

  • THE FORWARD

  • JEWISH CURRENTS

  • SOUTH DAKOTA REVIEW

 

theatre  -  full-length plays performed and publicly read

  • EDISON THEATRE, BROADWAY N.Y. "The Blueberry Season"

  • KRAINE THEATRE, OFF-BROADWAY, N.Y. "Nuclear Family"

  • KEY WEST THEATRE FESTIVAL, FL "Nuclear Family"

 

media appearances

Peter has been a frequent featured national and regional media guest and interviewee, appearing on many television and radio programs, as well as in print journalism stories. Among those:

  • NBC 1 HR NATIONAL NETWORK SPECIAL ON ADVERTISING

  • PBS 2 HR SPECIAL ON ALLY & GARGANO

  • FLORIDA ARTS CHANNEL - 1 HR INTERVIEW AS SOLO GUEST (Re: A full-length play of mine, "Nuclear Family" that had its debut production at the Key West Theatre Festival)

  • PROFILED IN ADWEEK FEATURE ARTICLE ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE RALSTON-PURINA "BRAN NEWS CEREAL" NATIONAL "ABBOT & COSTELLO WHO'S ON FIRST" LAUNCH COMMERCIAL

  • WBBM RADIO CHICAGO (Re: My New York Times Op-Ed)

  • 94 SPORTS ANIMAL RADIO, MIAMI (Re: My recollections about Hall-Of-Fame catcher Gary Carter, whom I had the pleasure to have gotten to know after casting/directing him in an ad campaign of mine)

 

EDUCATION

School Of Visual Arts, N.Y.     Professional graduate portfolio courses in advertising concept and copy.

Queens College, N.Y.               Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude) in Mass Communications, focusing on Film, and Television. Minor in English and Theatre.

 

miscellaneous

  • International CLIO Judge

  • Was an NYPD Auxiliary Police Officer (trained volunteer) on street patrol in some of New York's toughest neighborhoods.

  • Photography and paintings have been exhibited at over two dozen galleries and curated/juried exhibitions in New York and Palm Beach.

  • Avid runner. Beach guy. Enjoy sports of all kinds, theatre, film, music, art, literature, tinkering with my vintage convertible, travel, cooking, wine collecting, and Yellow Labrador Retrievers.

  • Winner of three national 2nd place Poetry Society of America awards. Winner of a DGA/CBS New American Play award.

  • Created and produced many theatrical, poetry and literature programs at various branches of the New York Public Library on a volunteer basis. Cast and directed, for the theatrical programs, many of New York's finest stage, screen and television actors for various play performances and readings presented. It was gratifying to see how much those in the various Manhattan neighborhoods who were not able to travel to or afford professional theatre and the venues enjoyed the performance programs of original theatrical and literary works, as well as the audience discussions he led afterward.

 

  • References furnished upon request.