Meet: Dan Ottinger

Meet Dan Ottinger, Manager from our New York office, as we spotlight and interview #TeamMindshare’s rising talent. Everything we do is about Provocation with Purpose. We’re a team that is radically honest – we call this our Authenticity Quotient. We are curious and competitive – that’s our Passion Quotient We embrace teamwork and adaptability – that’s our Emotional Quotient.  

Provocation with purpose is ingrained in everything we do – how do you bring this to life every day? 

My team is always asking how we can do something new and how we can push this idea further. What makes our client stand out and how can we highlight that? I’m proud to say I’m on an account that prioritizes innovation and first-to-market ideas, so we are often having conversations about new and innovative ways to promote our brand pillars and ideology. Our media plans always have to be innovative, and align with the purpose and mission our brand believes in. 

What do you think is the most exciting thing happening in media right now? 

I love how easy voice tech is making my life! I think the huge, flashy innovations coming in media are interesting to read about and experience, but ones that I can seamlessly integrate into my daily life to simplify things (without even noticing) are my favorite. I recently got an Alexa for the first time and now I like don’t remember how to set my own timer, check the weather by myself, find music, etc. and it’s only been two months! (kidding…mostly) 

What have you done at Mindshare that couldn’t have done anywhere else? 

The Collective, for sure. It’s a grassroots initiative that seeks to build better outputs for our clients built on the truth that provocative work can only be born through diversity of thought while also functioning as an employee resource group on building a more inclusive, intersectional agency culture. I’m so proud of this whole group — the work we’ve done so far, and the work we are planning to do. Senior leadership has been behind us the whole way, and now The Collective is regularly churning out programming and content on topics like the profitability of women, queer representation in media, and the state of Black culture in media. We’re also planning to meet with various clients to help generate ideas and strategies for their brands around these topics. The Collective quickly grew from a passion project into an integral part of the agency, and I think Mindshare’s unique culture gives us the space to continue to grow it. I only see it expanding from here and becoming a bigger part of the Mindshare fabric. 

What or who inspires you? 

So many things. A lot of times I have to remind myself to look for inspiration around me, and when I keep that in mind, inspiration can be found in just about anything! For example, when walking on the street I’m continually amazed at the architecture and layers of infrastructure in New York. I think of how many unknown people must have worked and planned throughout the years to bring their visions to life and give us the city we know today. It always inspires me to work hard and be creative. 

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? 

Honestly, just be grateful. Whenever I take a moment and think of how far I’ve come from where and how I grew up, and all the wonderful people I have around me, I feel better and I’m more content. Gratitude excites me for the present and the future, and makes me look back more fondly on the past.