The Riley Rizz

Host Mookie Spitz chats with advertising legend Tim Riley for a frank, feisty, and fun conversation about career pivots, personal branding, top notch client relationships, and the power of human connection and transformation. From Mad Men-style beginnings in the 1970s auto industry to pioneering digital healthcare marketing at Ignite Health, Tim shares his journey with razor-sharp wit, humility, and—yes—a full head of hair and impressive sex appeal. Discover how a class clown turned ad exec used empathy, charm, and a touch of mischief to build lasting client relationships, flip two agencies, and ultimately find deeper purpose through philanthropy and advocacy for foster youth. It’s a masterclass in sales, leadership, reinvention—and loving life along the way.

The Guest

After graduating from Michigan State University in 1978, Tim went to work for Campbell Ewald in Detroit (during the “Mad Men” era), where he worked on the Chevrolet account as an AE. From there his career took him to Dallas and ultimately to LA, where he worked on consumer accounts including, Pepsi, Frito Lay and Coke. During this journey he moved to the San Diego area with his new wife to set down roots. Tim was able to work for a small consumer agency but after a year was terminated, which ultimately was the defining moment in his career, leading to work into healthcare advertising with a small agency in Orange County. There he met a talented copywriter, Sher Call and art director, Rich Fair. A year later they formed their own agency, that was later acquired by FCB Bozell. It was here that they met Jackie Herr and Fabio Gratton, and in 2001 set out to form Ignite Health to serve biotech, pharma and device companies. Ignite became one of the first e-health agencies who were able to capitalize on the emergence of the Internet and the shift to digital patient centric marketing. After growing to 100 plus employees, they were acquired by InVentiv Health in 2007. 

The next chapter for Tim led him to a volunteer opportunity to work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Now 13 years later, Tim has worked with 7 youth and does public speaking to spread the word for new CASAs and fundraising from the private and public sector. He credits his success in working with foster youth to his years of relationship marketing with clients, managing a talented group of employees and understanding the power of collaboration. 

He also has realized how the mentors in his life have set him up to provide a consistent and caring presence to youth during the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

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