Nick Rogers
Copywriter
Nick joined the Dearing Group team as a copywriter in 2011. As a versatile 15-year veteran of journalism, marketing and public relations with a quick wit and turnaround time, Nick loves discovering what makes people tick and telling a brand’s story.
Previously, Nick was a technology writer and media relations specialist with Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP). He moved to Indiana in 2008 after six years at The State Journal-Register — a daily newspaper in Springfield, Illinois, where he oversaw award-winning arts & entertainment coverage before becoming features editor.
Nick lives in Lafayette with his wife, Abby, regularly reviews films online and often loans movies from his vast collection to Dearing Group cohorts.
Education
BS-Journalism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), 2001
Relevant professional experience
As arts & entertainment editor (and later features editor), I supervised all A&E and features coverage from 2002 to 2008 for The State Journal-Register, a daily newspaper in Springfield, Illinois. After moving to Lafayette in late 2008, I became a technology writer and media relations specialist with Information Technology at Purdue, the University’s central IT organization.
Relevant skills and awards
My A&E coverage, section and commentary won numerous first-place awards in Illinois and nationwide competitions.
Why are you in this profession?
It turns my creative monster loose on a variety of new media and exciting projects.
Who or what was a big career influence?
There are four: Bob Reid, a late UIUC journalism professor and an unforgettable mentor who hammered home the value of getting out in the world, talking to everyday people and always being curious; Sam Schulhofer-Wohl, a former editor who unknowingly transformed me into a merciless proofreader; and my parents, who taught me that creativity and confidence would take me anywhere.
What are your career goals?
Never lose the thrill of exploration and learning.
Always write words that draw smirks, strike nerves and convey the things that make people tick.
Encourage more people to follow the teachings of a 70-year-old monkey named George.
Why are you at Dearing Group?
I love working with people whose work ethic is as strong as their sense of humor. Plus, I’m not limber enough for the circus.
What advertising campaign do you wish you had worked on?
Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit”; Apple's "Mac vs. PC"; and Hulu’s “Aliens.”
What makes a great brand?
Authentic and appropriate personality, practicing what is preached and always capitalizing on the point of differentiation.
Significant other
Abby Eddy, who knew me for three years and still decided to become my lovely wife in 2007.
Children
All of my DVDs and Blu-rays are my children.
Pets
I once had Sea Monkeys but couldn’t handle their delicate ecosystem. Sorry, Sea Monkeys.
Where do you reside?
Lafayette, Indiana
Hometown?
Lanark, Illinois – where the nearest stoplight is still a 20-minute drive away.
Astrological sign?
Cancer (even after the shift).
Your finest moment or thing of which you are most proud?
A few: Winning the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors contest; teaching myself how to play the drums; and delivering what I’m told were great toasts at friends’ weddings.
What talent do you most wish you had?
Excluding invincibility, I’ll say riding a bike. The last serious attempt was dubbed “Days of Blunder.”
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I once knocked over an entire bank of CDs at a store. There was nothing to do but run. Quickly.
What do you find extremely frustrating?
People who don’t pay attention while driving, most concert encores and Sudoku.
Favorite television show?
“Breaking Bad.” Few shows evoke a vocal, visceral response from me. This series does it on a weekly basis. Plus, there’s a reason Bryan Cranston has won three consecutive Emmys.
Favorite book?
Fiction: “A Prayer For Owen Meany” by John Irving. Nonfiction: “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote.
Favorite movie?
Five-way tie: “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Godfather / The Godfather Part II” (one mammoth story), “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Goodfellas” and “Donnie Darko.”
Favorite video game?
Only “Rock Band” will reward with points my sad, sad effort to karaoke the songs of my youth.
Favorite board game?
"Scattergories." Weak-sauce answers will be challenged, people.
Favorite cartoon?
“South Park” remains as incisive and hilarious as it was when I started watching it in college.
Favorite childhood meal?
Hamburger and fries. I was so finicky that I even tried to put ketchup on salad.
Favorite childhood pastime?
Watching movies and trying to write them. I once tried to adapt Dean Koontz’s “Darkfall” with Wesley Snipes in mind. I bet he’d do it now.
Who is the best superhero?
Batman. Jack Nicholson’s Joker was right: He has wonderful toys. Plus, he’s psychologically fascinating.
Favorite subject in elementary school?
Reading and English. I read all the time at home. Getting to do it at school was a bonus.
What are your favorite Internet sites?
- www.hollywoodelsewhere.com
- www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com
- www.filmfreakcentral.net
- www.failbook.com
- www.thefilmyap.com
What is the best vacation you have ever taken?
Our San Francisco honeymoon. It gets no better than spending time with a beautiful woman in a beautiful city.
What is your favorite amusement park ride?
Cedar Point’s "Millennium Force." Truly intense.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
A tie between a barbecue-flavored cricket and tacos de sesos (cow-brain tacos). This was well before the Mad Cow scare, so I’m good. I think.
What is your current ring tone?
My default tone is the intro to Phoenix’s “1901.”
What song do you sing in the shower?
"Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”
What words of wisdom changed your life?
“Always be a Curious George,” Professor Bob Reid
Who would you like to interview?
- Steven Soderbergh
- Eddie Vedder
- Billy Joel
What is your favorite sport to watch?
Fighting Illini men’s basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball. Yes, I’m a masochist.
What is your favorite sport to play?
Softball, although I’m better at roster-building and base-coaching than actually playing.
What is your most treasured possession?
Other than my DVD and Blu-ray collection, probably a “24” pilot script signed by Kiefer Sutherland.
What is the worst gift you have ever received?
A leopard-print throw blanket clearly re-gifted to us for our wedding. We’re more tiger people.
What was your first job?
Answering phones and taking scores as a sports-desk clerk at The Journal-Standard in Freeport, Illinois.
What was your first car?
A red 1984 Chevy Camaro, passed down to me from one of my older brothers and ironically nicknamed “Coche del Amor.”
What was your first concert?
Rush, with opening act Primus, on the “Counterparts” tour.
What is your favorite restauraunt?
Nine Irish Brothers. I could dip their pub chips in Shamrock Sauce at every meal.
What gadget could you not live without?
My home-theater setup.
What type of music do you like?
If it’s not Nickelback or Creed, I’ll give it at least half a fair shake.
Favorite band or artist?
Pearl Jam, for putting on the single greatest concert I’ve ever seen and remaining a vital band.
Late to bed or early to rise?
Late to bed. Inspiration often strikes then, and 6 ½ hours is usually enough sleep anyway.
Three things you want to do someday?
- Write the next great romantic comedy and work with a legendary director.
- Get a passport so I have no reason to not travel outside the United States.
- Teach.
