Sterling Hayman

The information below is the “About” section I created when i first built this site and was considering looking for new jobs at other agencies. Since then, I have started my own agency, Recreation Dallas, with my friend and business partner Rob Howe. Recreation is a digitally driven, full-service agency that was created to somewhat disrupt the traditional agency model, providing a more valuable and effective advertising agency experience for clients of all sizes. Recreation opened its doors in December of 2017, and is now home to 15 employees servicing amazing clients, ranging from local up and comers to global iconic brands. To learn more about Recreation, visit recreationdallas.com.

First, I've set up this website because I think all account service people should have portfolios in addition to the standard resume. After all, we should be as responsible for the work the agency produces as anyone else. We contribute to the briefs, the insights, the selling and the execution. And ultimately should be judged by work that is done on the accounts we service. 

I “accidentally” entered the advertising industry in 1996, after graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in political science.

A hybrid by nature, I am equally as comfortable in a boardroom with C-level executives or in a conference room with creative teams, dreaming up the next big idea. I'm driven by “never been done before” and constantly fight against mediocrity in advertising. I believe that great ideas lead to great business results and more loyal consumers. And that truly great ideas can be executed in any form – from television to in-store POP.

I'm currently the Director of Account Management at Splash Media, an Addison-based social and digital media agency servicing local, national and global clients. While digital has generally been part of most every campaign that I've worked on at previous agencies, my current role puts the discipline front and center as a strategic driver for brands. To figure out where established and emerging platforms fit within a brand's overall marketing and communications strategy; to determine what types of content should be developed to support a client's business objectives; and to identify the most effective and efficient ways to mass target and surgically target a brand's current and potential consumers/customers within an online environment.

For more than a decade, I called TracyLocke home. As a VP / Client Service Director, I had the opportunity to lead multiple accounts, including 7-Eleven, Clorox, Samsung, Nestle, Sony Playstation and 24 Hour Fitness. I also served on the agency's executive committee and led many of the agency’s internal programs, such as the TL Internship Program, Culture / Action Committee, Centennial Celebration and Agency Co-Founders.

The work done on my accounts has led to numerous industry awards, including 2 Cannes Gold Lions, 2 Cannes Silver Lions, One Show Pencils, and countless awards from Addy’s, D&AD, LIAA, Effies and Reggies. This work has twice led to TracyLocke being named Promotional Agency of the Year.

Prior to TracyLocke, I worked in various account service positions at Publicis, DDB Needham and the late Berry Brown Advertising (Sara Lee, Nestle Ice Cream, Tabasco, Mrs Baird’s Bread, Imperial Sugar, Quaker Oats and Friendly’s restaurants).

I am a graduate of Omnicom’s Senior Management Program, a two-year program for selected senior managers in Omnicom agencies designed to further professional development and managerial skills.

And I currently serve on Texas A&M’s Marketing Advisory Board.