Retro cocktails, Brené Brown and Paul McCartney: How ad execs 
plan to unwind and escape this holiday season

Heaven knows there’s plenty to hunker down, hide out and avoid this holiday season. Those annoying cousins who insist on reminding you they exist this time of year. The 8 millionth playing of that Mariah Carey song. Memories of another 12 months turned upside down by the pandemic and, just in time for Christmas, Omicron. (Thanks, Santa.)

We were wondering: How are marketing execs planning to escape over the coming days? Perhaps with that best-seller they’ve been wanting to crack? (This writer highly recommends the Katie Couric memoir, “Going There,” a juicy page-turner!) Or with that streaming series they’ve been waiting to binge? Or how about a little “father, son and the ‘House of Gucci’”? (One Oscar for Lady Gaga, please.) Or, maybe just unplugging from it all?

Here’s some of what the ad world will be up to over the break — so please don’t bother them:

“I’m hoping to pick my knitting back up over break. Make a scarf or an ugly hat that nobody wants to wear. Maybe whip up some retro cocktails. Cozy, old-timey holiday shit.” – Jaime Robinson, cofounder and chief creative officer, JOAN

“I’m a huge fan of Brené Brown’s work and I gifted my team copies of her new book, ‘Atlas of the Heart.’ I’m looking forward to a good wallowing in emotional intelligence over the break.” – Jean Scheidnes, vp of communications, growth and development, The Marketing Arm

“We gave the entire AAF staff the week off between Christmas and New Year’s so that they can rest up, relax, recharge, and get ready for 2022 and whatever it brings. As for me, I plan on taking a weeklong ‘digital detox.’ I will shut down everything for a week, focus on family time, and try to block out all the noise and distractions.” – Steve Pacheco, president and CEO, American Advertising Federation

“Over the next couple of weeks, I am looking forward to spending time with my family and friends, unwinding and letting my mind aimlessly wander.” – Brad Scott, founder and managing director, Applied Design

“My wife and I are big fans of Emily St. John Mandel’s ‘Station Eleven,’ so we’ll watch the HBO limited series based on that book. Hoping to finish up the ‘Dexter’ reboot on Showtime as well. And I’ll definitely dig into Paul McCartney’s ‘The Lyrics’—a two-volume, annotated history of Sir Paul’s songs.” – Mike Stefaniak, chief strategy officer, Hanson Dodge

“I am looking forward to going to see ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ with three generations of my family.” – Stacie Boney, president, Hanson Dodge 

“The new Dave Grohl book, ‘The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music,’ is on my list to Santa, so I’m hoping I’ll get to read that, and I’m also excited to watch [the Disney+ docuseries] ‘The Beatles: Get Back.’ I’ve heard that it’s an incredible window into the creative process, team dynamic and innovation that can really inspire us all as we head into 2022.” -Steve Ochs, chief marketing officer, GSTV

“This year, my holiday will be focused on furthering my ceramic art practice here at home. I’ll spend my waking hours away from Zoom and at my studio in Saratoga, New York, working on a new collection of functional, traditional tea ware and large serving bowls. No feedback. No meetings. No circling back. Just experimenting and finding joy in the imperfection of it all. This is the beauty I’m looking for this holiday.”
-Andrew Miller, executive creative director, Episode Four

“Everyone in our office is taking time out to just be peacefully home with their family. Boring, but wonderful.” – Sue Kruskopf, founder and CEO, KC Truth