2 Minutes With … Clay MacGuire, SVP and CD at 21Grams

With nearly a decade of industry experience, Clay is currently senior vice president and creative director at 21Grams. We spent two minutes with her to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.

Clay, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I grew up in a small town outside of New York City, home of the boardwalk scene in Big. Now, I live in a little place called Brooklyn.

How you first got interested in health.

While other kids wore Silly Bandz and butterfly clips, I wore a monitor and went on late-night trips to the ER for a heart condition. Knowing first-hand how important health is, this career path just made sense.

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on, and why.

“Posts Into Letters.” I am forever inspired by the work Manuel and Patricia Oliver do to combat gun violence and honor their son Joaquin. Working with them to turn social posts into letters for Congress in Joaquin’s handwriting showed me that creativity can do more than achieve business outcomes—it can change the world.

A recent project you’re proud of.

“The Cure Cup.” The opportunity to advance equitable health research while destigmatizing menstruation was once in a lifetime. It’s a testament to the possibilities that come from working in healthcare—and the strengths that come from being a female creative.

One thing about how health is evolving that you’re excited about.

I love to see the lines blurring between health and consumer work. At the end of the day, good creative is good creative. The more of it that gets made for health, the more proof we have to show clients that they should step outside their comfort zone.

Someone else’s work, in health or beyond, that you admired lately.

The German Depression Aid Foundation’s “At Second Glance.” Such a simple way to let the audience experience the insight firsthand—and all done with a print ad.

A book, movie, TV show, or podcast you recently found inspiring.

American Mermaid by Julia Langbein. It’s about the intersection of creativity and business, being a woman creative, and the inner turmoil we feel when we need to give up control to produce a passion project. Also, mermaids.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

Sara Erenthal. A street artist in Brooklyn, she recreates the same figure drawings over and over. Her work has appeared in every neighborhood I’ve lived in here. 

Your favorite fictional character.

I always loved the sister relationship between Merricat and Constance in Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle. 

Someone worth following on social media.

@beckymacguire—my mom! She is a scholar who shares bite-sized art history lessons. Whenever she posts something new, I know I’m about to be inspired.

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

Curiosity. Some of my best work has come from stumbling across great insights in the wild.

Your biggest weakness.

Timesheets.

Something people would find surprising about you.

Clay isn’t my real name.

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in health.

Something with animals. Everything I know about people, I learned from dogs, anyway.