Who? Jennifer Bravo, SVP, Portfolio Lead
Jennifer’s creative hero: Bob Ross
Why is Bob Ross your creative hero?
Because he embodied positivity and accessibility in art. He showed that anyone can paint and express themselves, emphasizing that there are no mistakes — only happy accidents. I like that he embraced what most would see as a negative and turned it into a positive.
Is there a piece of his work that you particularly love?
I particularly love his “Northern Lights” painting here. The vibrant colors and serene landscape capture a sense of wonder and tranquility that resonates deeply with me. Like this piece, I love striking that balance of being bold and evoking a sense of calm when I partner with brands.
How do you overcome a creative block?
I typically phone a creative guru to help me overcome a block. But in all seriousness, I look for inspiration pieces and data since audience insights are essential for strategically connecting creative concepts to a brand’s challenges. Sometimes, stepping away for a bit and returning with fresh eyes also helps spark new ideas.
What was the best piece of creative work you produced for Manifest?
For celebrity-endorsed work, it was our Go Papertarian campaign with Retta on behalf of our client The Paper and Packaging Board. For non-celebrity work, Dairy Detectives for our client Dairy Management Inc.
When and where do you do your best work?
See Bob Ross Mr. Owl: I’'m a night owl and do my best work late at night when the world is calm and distractions are minimal.
What is your idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is finding joy in sweet moments with my daughter and my husband — as well as through creativity and connection with others, especially the likes of my genius colleagues!
Of misery?
Hmmm, I try to avoid this at all costs! Misery feels like a black hole of stagnation.
What is your favorite word?
My favorite word is “serendipity.” It embodies the joy of unexpected discoveries and happy accidents (yet another nod to my hero!).
What would the title of your memoir be?
The title of my memoir would be “Just Be. To See.” It would capture the journey that shapes creativity. Along the way, we often need to pause and reflect to gain greater insights and understanding. The forest for the trees, if you will.
