Meet Juan — A Multilingual Associate Creative Director, CheckMark
How did you learn about your job opportunity at Nestlé Purina?
I received an email from a Recruiter to learn more about the Associate Creative Director opportunity, and I started the interview process right away. I prepared on my own, but the Recruiter also prepared me with information on how to be successful in a behavioral interview, and the next thing I knew, I was flying from Miami to St. Louis, Missouri, a city I’d never visited before. I was excited about this opportunity and ready to take on a new creative role. I started with Nestlé Purina’s internal ad agency, CheckMark, in February 2020.
What did your career path look like before Nestlé Purina?
I was born and raised in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and started my creative advertising career at a young age. I moved to Dallas in 2008 and was part of a team designing and launching telecommunications service. Fast-forward a couple of years, and I found myself as a Senior Copywriter in Chicago, and then in Miami, I transitioned to Marketing and worked as a Marketing Manager. I also taught marketing and creative classes. Marketing and teaching gave me the 360-degree view that helped me foster my skills and capabilities, but the creative world was calling me. I transitioned back as a Creative and leveraged my multilingual skills to work on different Hispanic/American Brands. I have worked for many world-class brands and categories, and Purina represents another of these. To me, it was a no brainer to join a company that has such a history. I was humbled to be selected to be part of such an incredible team and company.
Describe your onboarding at Nestlé Purina
My onboarding was a great experience. Being able to hear from my colleagues in different departments while listening to their unique career paths and the rich history of the organization was motivating. I had the privilege of meeting our CEO, and I recognize that’s not common for most companies. Hearing about his career, being able to ask him questions, and listening to his open book stories and down-to-earth examples show that he embodies exactly what this company stands for; integrity and trust. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to have experienced this with, and everyone was engaged and eager to be there.
Describe your team
During my interview, I was able to meet with my current boss, and we connected well. When I really got to know the whole team, every single person gave me a warm welcome. It’s not only quality; it’s a human value that my teammates possess. I belong to an exceptional group of people with a great mix of talent, genders, and backgrounds in both copy and art. I think we complement each other well. The comradery and everything you feel coming from all of these different people are just contagious.
What excites you about working at Nestlé Purina? What motivates you?
I was the first Hispanic bilingual person working at CheckMark, and I have never felt like an outsider. I think about the potential of working here 25+ years from now, and that’s exciting. In the traditional agency world, you really don’t see that longevity or commitment. It’s great to be working for a company where the people have so much pride in who they work for. I don’t feel that my work is heavy; I feel that it’s a chance to create something from scratch and to do research on trends to become an expert in my field. I am in a line of work where there are constant changes and the luxury of having new motivators. Nestlé Purina has a fantastic set of core values that translates into our consumer communication. It feels good to be a part of this. It’s inspiring.
How many languages do you speak fluently?
I speak two languages fluently: Spanish and English. And I also speak some Portuguese.
What has been your favorite city to live in?
I loved Chicago. From the city vibe and it's architecture, to the culture, to the food–wow, everything. But, St. Louis has been great so far, and the BBQ is just unbelievable.
Learn more about our inclusive culture, or check out available creative opportunities.
