Matt McDermott ’00

Born at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

Graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and enrolled at TU. 

“I wasn’t even sure I was going to college, but I fell in love with it quickly. I had incredible mentors who took an interest in me, in the work that I was doing.”

Published a book review in the Baltimore Sun that was arranged by one of his professors.  

“I had dynamic, engaged and simply human teachers. I felt like I was seen, and I felt like they were rooting for me.” 

Graduated from TU and started working at Renegade. 

“I was writing awful TV spots for Comcast, but I loved the people. There was a lot of talent there, people who could write, edit, code, who would act if needed. To be able to learn from them was a real highlight.” 

Became a teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools. The 9/11 attacks sparked a desire in him to make a difference. Earned his master’s while teaching English at Frederick Douglass High School. 

“It’s still the best and hardest job that I’ve ever had. The best part was creating connections with students who truly cared.”

Married his wife, Wendy. They have a 15-year-old son, Ferris. 

Went back to Renegade. 

“The third year is often make-or-break for teachers. I was burned out. I went back to advertising. It’s one of the few professions where you get to exercise multiple talents and multiple perspectives.” 

Freelanced for National Geographic and began working for an agency in Columbia, Maryland, that worked with the National Security Agency. 

Joined idfive as creative director.  

“Those were some of the best years of my career. It was an opportunity to really cut my teeth as a creative leader and be a part of building something big.”

Taught advertising as an adjunct professor at TU for four years.  

Joined the Harvey Agency as chief creative officer. Later bought the firm.  

“Kathy Harvey was a rock ‘n roll type who had a ton of ideas. She was getting close to retirement and her passions were in other places. My second day there CoverGirl let us know they were terminating their contract with us. It was in the neighborhood of 85% of the agency’s business. I thought I could turn things around. I was spectacularly wrong.” 

Took the agency through bankruptcy. 

“I just didn’t have enough runway. We made major strides and did some incredible stuff, but there was no way for it to survive.”

Rebooted the agency as Humble & Wallop.  

“It was humbling to get knocked down, and the wallop idea was, ‘We’re going to get back up and punch our way back.” 

Today, the five-person firm does branding and identity, marketing and activation, and creative development and execution work for clients like Schmidt Old Tyme Bread and George Washington University.

“Working with great folks and having incredible clients that trust you to take chances is really when you can get excited. The idea of building something bigger than advertising—something cultural—is always the goal.”