Tom Gilmartin helps students and early-career creative marketing minds gain an almost unfair advantage—not just in landing the roles they dream about, but in proving they belong, creating real impact, and setting the foundation for a career that fuels the soul. After 20+ years hiring and leading hundreds of creative + marketing minds in agencies and Silicon Valley, he can tell you—there’s a bit of a cheat code. The people who break in and thrive in the Industry don’t just have talent; they know how to stand out, get noticed, and navigate the system.
In this episode of Oversharing, Mikhail Alfon sits down with creative industry veteran Tom Gilmartin—former Facebook/Instagram Creative Director and longtime ad agency leader—for an inspiring conversation on creativity, leadership, and breaking into the advertising world.
Tom shares his journey from playing in garage bands and struggling with dyscalculia to leading iconic campaigns at agencies like Chiat\Day and at tech giants like Meta. They dive into career-defining moments, the importance of clarity and kindness in feedback, and how creatives today can thrive in a world powered by AI and fast content cycles.
Connect with Tom:
https://www.linkedin.com/
https://www.gilmartincoaching.com
https://tomgilmartin.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:03 The Journey into Advertising
10:39 Influences and Mentorship
16:57 The Evolution of Creative Processes
27:33 The Importance of Honest Feedback
29:56 Navigating Hard Conversations
33:18 Innovative Campaigns: Merging Art and Marketing
40:30 Empowering the Next Generation of Creatives
51:43 Building Personal Brands for Career Success
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