Ed Hunt, Darkside Advertising
Ed Hunt was determined to join impressive marketing results with fierce creativity, and Darkside Advertising was born. Using his nearly 20 years of business experience, Ed continues to provide award-winning campaigns and fresh ideas. A long-time member of many professional organizations including AAFO, he realizes the importance of connections, both for new business and education.
Darkside Advertising proudly provides small businesses with large-agency service. The years of being art and creative director at Meridian Advertising and Heartland Marketing & Communications have honed Ed’s creative-marketing vision and give him the ability to create successful business ideas.
What was your first job?
I was the assembly guy at Tractor Supply Company. It was a great high school job, I put together all the riding lawn mowers, trailers, and gas grills. For fun, we’d race riding lawnmowers behind the building. If it wasn’t for my interest in marketing and design, I could have been a member of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association and a featured driver on ESPN (look it up, it’s a real thing).
Favorite AAF event to attend?
I’m a big fan of Meet the Pros. It had such a positive impact on me when I attended back in 1996 (I’m getting old). I was amazed at the talent of the professionals. It also got me fired up coming out of college, and ready to hit the ground running. This year I was a portfolio reviewer, and had a great time talking to students about their portfolios and answering questions. These are the kind of events that make AAF Omaha a great club!
What’s your favorite commercial currently on TV?
I have two commercials from Geico, but I can’t decide which I like the best. One is the Ickey Woods shuffle… “I’m getting me some cold cuts today!” then the other is the commercial featuring Salt-N-Pepper singing “Push it!” I think Geico does a great job with fun clever commercials, without having to resort to raunchy innuendos. (Not that I’m opposed to those types of commercials).
What’s your favorite place to vacation?
That depends on the R&R needed. The first place is Las Vegas. I’m a night owl (i.e. Darkside Advertising) and you can do anything at any hour, day or night in Vegas. I like a place that never sleeps. Then on the opposite end of the spectrum, my family enjoys Emerald Isle, NC located in the Southern Outer Banks. We’ll rent a house on the beach and just relax for an entire week.
What are your thoughts on France’s ban on answering work emails after 6 pm?
I’m currently looking for office space in Paris. Au revoi!
