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Patrick Bennett of Jack Morton on Making the World a Better Place
This desire fuels his creativity
Patrick was appointed global chief creative officer of Jack Morton Worldwide in July 2024. He joined from IPG partner agency Momentum, where as an ECD he shaped the experiential vision of brands such as American Express, Walmart, Verizon, Corona and Pacifico. Earlier, he held senior posts at Ogilvy, R/GA,and Digitas, working for Samsung, Amazon, British Airways, DirecTV, Kraft and Six Flags.
Patrick has recently joined the board of directors of BLAC to help build a more diverse and inclusive advertising industry for the future.
We spent two minutes with Patrick to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired.
Patrick, tell us …
Where you grew up, and where you live now.
I grew up in sunny St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. I’m a born-and-bred island boy of Trinidadian heritage. I currently live in Lefferts Garden, Brooklyn—lovingly known as the Little Caribbean.
How you first realized you were creative.
As a kid, I spent most of my time drawing, showing those pictures to family or friends and watching them marvel at my creations.
A person you idolized creatively early on.
David Carson fused art, design, destruction, creation and pop culture into something that fascinated me early on.
A moment from high school or college that changed your life.
For no defensible reason, I opted to attend college at Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster, Pa. I arrived as a 6’2″, 200-lb., Black guy from the Caribbean who had spent his high school years on the swim team. I was very big, very broad and clueless. To this day, I can close my eyes and visualize what it was like walking down the sidewalk. The white students would part like the Red Sea at my approach. I was immediately and profoundly othered in a way I had never experienced before.
A visual artist or band/musician you admire.
Kes. Saw him at Summer Stage this year, where he brought out classic calypsonians to honor our history, and up-and-coming acts to push us into the future. Making it about others is what a good leader does.
A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.
Book: The Ministry for the Future. Inspiring, but in a different kind of way.
One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on.
Ten years ago, I somehow convinced a retirement company to give every baby born in the U.S. a retirement account.
A recent project you’re proud of.
American Express Member Week, where, thanks to a downloadable Amex pass that landed in users’ digital wallets, we let non-members act like card members for a week.
Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.
I’m still in love with Diamond Shreddies.
Someone else’s work you admired lately.
I loved the beautiful simplicity of “Meet Marina Prieto.”
Your main strength as a creative person.
A powerful desire to use my position as marketer to make the world a more inclusive, fun and just better place.
Your biggest weakness.
I want to do everything.
A mentor that helped you navigate the industry.
Bruce Henderson, my group creative director at Ogilvy, transformed my management style, showing me that I could be successful by being nice. That I’ve now taken on the role he originated as CCO of Jack Morton is an honor.
How you’re paying it forward with the next generation of creatives.
Among other things, I’m on the board of the BLAC Internship Program, dedicated to fueling the advertising industry with more diverse talent.
What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.
Fashion designer.
2 Minutes With is our regular interview series where we chat with creatives about their backgrounds, creative inspirations, work they admire and more. For more about 2 Minutes With, or to be considered for the series, please get in touch.
