From Sweaty Interviews to Sasquatch Sightings: 8 Years at Morning Walk
A Hot Start (Literally)
Eight years ago, I walked into Jacobson/Rost, now Morning Walk, to interview for an Account Coordinator position. It was an exceptionally hot day. I wore a shirt and tie, eager to make a good impression. The receptionist placed me in an office to wait briefly for my interview, and the sun was beating down on me so intensely, it felt like a psychological experiment designed to break me before the interview even started. I was sweating profusely—part nerves, part makeshift sauna. Somehow, despite my best efforts to melt, I got the job.
Eight years later, here I am, still standing (typically less sweaty).
As an Account Coordinator, I was immediately thrown into the deep end with massive brands, learning the ropes through a trial-by-fire approach, which, fortunately, suited me well. Within my first few months, I found myself at my first-ever OPTIMA Batteries shoot and event: a demolition derby. I had never been to one before, and the sheer madness of it blew my mind. Watching minivans smash into each other as part of our, "Ultimate Torture Test" campaign was an unforgettable introduction to agency life. I remember thinking to myself that my friends will never believe this is what I do for work.
Fueling Passion, One Brand at a Time
Over the years, I’ve worked with a variety of automotive brands, spanning both aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The passion in this industry is incredible—especially in the aftermarket space, where cars aren’t just a hobby; they’re a way of life. That passion has taken me on some wild adventures, all in the name of creating unforgettable brand experiences. Because at the end of the day, people love (or hate) a brand based on their experience with it. A brand is like a little sidekick to your life’s adventures—it helps create memories, takes you places and makes an impression. Our job is to make sure those impressions last.
Throughout my first few years at the agency, we helped organize brand experiences across the globe through events and content shoots.
Then came 2020.
When COVID hit, things slowed down, but when events finally started happening again, everything felt different. The energy was unmatched. People weren’t just attending—they needed to be there. They wanted to feel the rumble of race cars, the buzz of a motorsports festival, the atmosphere of a mountain rally. After so much time apart, being at events together meant more than ever before. And that’s been a huge motivator for me—to keep pushing the envelope, to keep building experiences that bring people together.
More Than Just a Job—Becoming a True Partner
As I’ve grown in my career, the key to success has been understanding the product, the industry, and our client’s needs inside and out. Whether it’s attending trade shows, reading the latest news, or doing research to stay on top of trends, it’s crucial to be knowledgeable and make connections. It’s not just about executing events—it’s about being a true partner to the client. Knowing their brand’s purpose and understanding their vision helps me align every aspect of what we do to make sure we’re creating experiences that resonate with their audience. It’s a balance of listening, asking questions, and applying that knowledge to bring the vision to life and understanding their vision helps me align every aspect of what we do to make sure we’re creating experiences that resonate with their audience.
Eight years ago, I was sweating through an interview. Now, I’m an Account Director, leading the charge in creating incredible brand experiences. It’s been a wild ride, full of demolition derbies, desert races, and yes, a few sasquatch sightings. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
About Mike Rastas
Mike is an Account Director at Morning Walk, where he’s spent the last eight years creating memorable brand experiences for some of the most exciting names in the automotive industry. When he’s not orchestrating drift cars or coordinating desert races, Mike enjoys fishing on the Cisco Chain, hitting the links for a round of golf, and diving into a good fantasy novel. Whether he’s cracking jokes with friends over a cold Moon Man pale ale or strategizing his next Dungeons & Dragons campaign, he knows how to balance hard work with a good laugh. A dedicated Green Bay Packers fan and proud son, brother and husband, Mike has a knack for building connections and making memories, whether at work or in life’s adventures. Also, his wife will not be the least bit surprised that sasquatch was a part of this blog.
