Jay Sharfstein

Hi. And welcome. That's me at 10,000 ft aboard a 1940s era De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver heading to a remote fishing outpost in the backwoods of Ontario. I love a good adventure. Which explains my opting to raise two highly energetic boys in a New York City apartment, our recent move to North Florida, and my chosen career in the ad business.

So, a little about me professionally... I have over 20 years of experience as a Copywriter, Group Creative Director, Executive Creative Director and Brand Strategist. I've also been directing since 2005. Over the course of my career, I've worked across a broad range of categories including packaged goods, automotive, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, higher-ed, tech, financial services, fashion, and entertainment brands.

My work has been recognized by The One Show, Cannes, CA, The Effie's, Addy's, Andy's, Radio Mercury Awards, AICP, New York Festivals, London International Festival, Print Magazine, and Promax. Two of my commercials reside in the permanent collection of the Paley Center for Media (formerly the Museum of Television & Radio).

As a writer at Lowe & Partners, I primarily worked on the famous Sprite "Image is Nothing/Obey Your Thirst" campaign where I created a number of award-winning TV and radio spots. I also created memorable work for Sony, Mercedes-Benz and Sun Microsystems - including winning a silver pencil at the first One Show Interactive Awards. I also helped transition the Perdue Farms campaign by branding Jim Perdue as the new face of the company. My "Now Arriving" spot which featured Jim turning the tables on a Hare Krishna, was recognized at Cannes.

As a Senior Writer at Fallon NY, I produced work for Time Magazine, Ariba (a B2B supply chain company) while also chipping in on FX, The U.S. Open, and new business. Post Fallon, I freelanced around New York and San Francisco at BBH, JWT, McCann, Y&R, Tonic S.F. and Merkley. In 2001, I signed on at JWT as a Group Creative Director where I ran the agency's $70 million dollar Smirnoff and Smirnoff Ice business. I also created work for Domino's, The Diamond Trading Company and Novell.

In 2005, I left JWT and co-founded Filter Advertising. Shortly after, Filter joined forces with Defiant Productions and the agency morphed into a hybrid agency/production company servicing a wide variety of entertainment brands including Food Network, USA Network, and A&E.  At Filter I wrote and directed the majority of the agency's television work. Eight years, two offices, 70+ spots and a few million dollars in revenue later, Filter was acquired by Laughlin Constable to be their East Coast presence.

In 2017, I left Laughlin Constable to freelance for a year before ultimately joining Splendor as a Partner/Executive Creative Director.