How Lisa Hurst’s Versatile Skills Shaped Her Advertising Career
From Medicine to Marketing: How Lisa Hurst Found Her Place in Advertising
How does someone go from studying biology to leading client operations at a top advertising agency? On a recent episode of the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast, Lisa Hurst shared her unique path from science to marketing, highlighting how unconventional beginnings can lead to extraordinary success in the advertising industry.
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Lisa’s career began with a biology degree from Indiana University, driven by an initial goal to work in medicine. However, an internship in a hospital’s operating room revealed that her true interests lay elsewhere. This revelation set her on a new course, ultimately landing her at Procter & Gamble (P&G), where she transitioned from product development to brand management. At P&G, she discovered her passion for branding and marketing strategy, which prepared her for an even more significant leap: moving to the agency side.
Lisa’s decision to leave the client side and embrace agency life was a turning point. “I wanted to be closer to the creative process and problem-solving aspects of advertising,” she explained. As Chief Client Officer at AMP Agency, she now leads an integrated team formed from five specialized agencies, enabling them to deliver a seamless blend of brand-building and performance marketing solutions. Reflecting on this role, Lisa said, “The most exciting part of these five agencies coming together is the ability to have that holistic view of a brand and provide truly comprehensive counsel to our clients.”
Her journey is a testament to the value of adaptability and diverse experiences. Lisa credits her biology background for instilling a rigorous approach to creative problem-solving. “While it may seem like a biology degree makes no sense, I actually think I learned a lot about how to solve problems,” she noted, emphasizing how skills from unexpected places can shape a career in advertising.
For aspiring professionals, Lisa’s advice is clear: stay curious, embrace every learning opportunity, and remain adaptable in the face of change. “Try to be that person who understands how to take feedback and turn it into gold,” she said, encouraging listeners to approach challenges positively and resilient.
Lisa Hurst’s career demonstrates that unconventional paths often lead to the most rewarding destinations. Her ability to pivot, adapt, and embrace new challenges is an inspiring blueprint for anyone navigating their professional journey. To hear more of Lisa’s story and gain insights from her experience, listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and subscribe to the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast for more stories that inspire and educate.
Best Quotes from Lisa Hurst’s Episode:
On Brand Fundamentals:
“The fundamentals of getting to what is a great idea, what is a brand-building idea—those things are still fundamental and haven’t changed. What’s different is how, where, and when we connect with those consumers.”On Combining Creativity and Performance:
“The power of creativity and the belief in creativity is what I’m hearing a lot from senior-level marketers. It’s about bridging that gap between creativity and data-driven performance.”On Career Adaptability:
“While it may seem like a biology degree makes no sense, I actually think I learned a lot about how to solve problems—a more rigorous approach to creative thinking and problem-solving.”On Curiosity in Advertising:
“The people I see who are the most successful, regardless of their role, are those who are curious. They’re always looking to see what tech is emerging, what aspects of culture marketing can shape, and learning from what’s happening out there.”On Balancing Brand and Performance Marketing:
“You need both performance-driven marketing and brand-building fundamentals. The long-term loyalty of consumers comes from nurturing the brand and talking to them in meaningful ways.”On the Pace of Agency Life:
“The biggest surprise moving to agency life was the pace—it’s a lot faster. You solve challenges and make recommendations at an exponential speed compared to the client side.”On Career Exploration:
“Internships are great for trying something on. Even if you decide it’s not for you, every experience builds on the next and teaches you something valuable.”On Client Relationships:
“The most exciting part of these five agencies coming together is having that holistic view of a brand—where it lives, how it lives, and providing that counsel to our clients.”On Advice for Success:
“Curiosity and flexibility are the two biggest things this industry requires. Stay curious, be adaptable, and always look for ways to evolve.”