McCanners of New York: Liz O’Connor

Welcome to 'McCanners of New York', a series that delves into the lives of the talent behind McCann New York's greatest work. Featuring employees across departments and various roles, this series is an exploration of their personal stories, side-hustles, passions and the projects they cherish.

'McCanners of New York' offers a glimpse into the lives of these talented advertisers, showcasing both their professional and personal journeys.

In this edition, we’re getting to know Liz O'Connor, senior producer. 

Q> Why did you decide to pursue a career in Advertising?

Liz> I went to school for production, which is not actually as common as you might think in advertising. Initially I wanted to produce for film or television, but while I was in school, I had an internship in LA at a production company that did television promos and fell in love with working on shortform content. From there it was a natural progression towards advertising.

Q> Outside of work, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that you're particularly passionate about? Has this hobby/passion influenced your work in advertising at all?

Liz> A few years ago, I realised I had fallen out of reading for fun, which is something I had been in love with since I was little, staying up way too late to finish a book. I gave myself a goal of reading at least one book a month, and now, I almost always surpass the goal by 10+ books a year.

I’m also obsessed with scary movies and Halloween. General horror and terror is my vibe, the fake kind - not what you see on the news. When my wife leaves the house, I immediately hit play on a scary movie since she hates them. 

I think either of these hobbies help contribute to my understanding of storytelling and what is impactful on screen...or they could just be stress relief from busy days. You can decide.

Q> Can you share a project or campaign you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?

Liz> My very first project at McCann was pitched to me as 'some small social spots for Pride.' That ended up being 'True Name' for Mastercard. It’s a project that five years later people still point to as important and impactful, which it is for so many reasons. The biggest win for me was being able to meet so many incredible trans people who had the courage to step into the spotlight and own their identity, even if it could mean backlash. It was an honour to speak to them and to witness their bravery. I still speak to a few of the folks from the first part of the campaign and every time I see their posts, and how happy they are, it fills me with so much joy.

Q> What advice would you give to someone aspiring to pursue a career in advertising, especially at a large agency like McCann?

Liz> This industry can be difficult. Even in the past five-10 years I’ve watched an upheaval of the process, and it can be challenging to manage. You are asked to wear a lot of hats and manage a lot of personalities. That said, it can also be incredibly rewarding. I’d urge young advertisers to find a mentor – someone who they can connect with professionally and personally to help navigate the ins and outs of agency life. I’d also say to lean in on the aspects you find engaging. I’ve travelled all over the world, made lasting friendships, and met my wife, which is probably the best part. If you can find ways to make this job work for you it can be great.

Q> What is your favourite area in NYC and why?

Liz> I lived in Windsor Terrace for a few years including the first year of the pandemic and because Prospect Park was so busy I would walk around Greenwood Cemetery. Without fail, I get funny looks for saying that but it’s beautiful. The trees are stunning and blossom in the spring. The stonework is true artistry, it’s quiet and so many incredible people are buried there: Basquiat, Boss Tweed, Leonard Bernstein and Dr. Susan McKinney Steward, the first African American Female Doctor of New York. They do tours, and during Halloween, they have a huge party among the gravestones. 

Q> If you could recommend one hidden gem in NYC that not many people know about, what would it be?

Liz> Casey’s Rubber Stamps, in the East Village. John Casey, the owner, is the grumpiest man I’ve ever met, and I love him for it. He has so many fun stamps in stock, and you can also buy custom stamps. Stepping in there is such a perfect, New York hole-in-the-wall experience.