2 Minutes With … Dave Damman, CCO of Buntin

On work that strives to make the world a better place

With 30 years of experience, Dave is currently EVP, managing partner and chief creative at Buntin, a role he has held for the last four years. Other stints include Fallon, Carmichael Lynch and Gallegos United. Dave has worked with brands such as Citibank, United Airlines, Miller Lite, Travelers Insurance, BMW, Target, Harley Davidson, Chevrolet and Comcast Xfinity.

We spent two minutes with Dave to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired.

Dave, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I grew up in the middle of nowhere—in Wisconsin—on a horse farm surrounded by 15 dogs and 25-30 cats, two younger brothers, two older sisters, a Marine sniper father and a psychiatric nurse mother.  I currently reside in Nashville, Tenn., a conflux of Disneyland, Mardi Gras and the Las Vegas Strip.

How you first realized you were creative.

In grade school, my only A was in art class. The rest were Cs and Ds.

A person you idolized creatively early on.

Mr. Fred Rogers and the land of make believe. I still do.

A moment from high school or college that changed your life.

The day I got my driver’s license. It was like that scene in Chicken Run when they all escape the farm.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

I’m sticking with a current fave or two. Sufjan Stevens is amazing in everything he does, both visually and musically. And Quentin Tarantino—nothing average—waiting on his final film.

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

The Creator. A hugely underrated late 2023 sci-fi film about our not-so-distant future relationship with AI. Beautifully-crafted with a very human story. I also enjoyed the book My Name is Barbra.  What Barbra Streisand has accomplished is mind-blowing, especially given the obstacles she faced throughout her career. Creatively inspiring, but also an operator’s manual for humanity.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on. 

The ones I enjoyed the most are the ones whose primary goal is to make the world a better place. Subaru: ““Who we are is what we leave behind.” That’s always been a fave, and we’re saving more than just the bottom line. More recently, Chinet’s Here’s to Us, All of Us” documentary film series, which shines a light on the simple but deep benefit of diversity in our human race. I was also part of the United Airlines 9/11 campaign “We Are United.” It was more than just advertising—it was helping us heal.

A recent project you’re proud of. 

Our Chinet “All of Us” project.  A brand documentary short film series that features the power of togetherness, especially after we all blew apart during Covid. Art serving commerce.

Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago. 

Bill Bernbach. If that name is unfamiliar, you’ve got work to do.  

Someone else’s work you admired lately. 

Anything from Greg and the team at Mischief. Also—Rolo, Gian and team at L&C NYC.

Your main strength as a creative person.

Believing hard. Resilience, and then recovery. My favorite X-Men is, of course, Wolverine.  

Your biggest weakness.

I’m a professional romantic idealist.

A mentor who helped you navigate the industry.

Pat Fallon.  If you know, you know. Again, if that name is unfamiliar, you’ve got even more work to do.

How you’re paying it forward with the next generation of creatives.

Helping them do the best work of their careers. And saving the world from bad, dumb, joyless advertising.

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

Operating a 500-acre dog sanctuary in the Canadian Rockies or Kauai, that has an onsite craft Bourbon distillery, along with a vintage motorcycle museum, surf shop and tattoo studio.