Since Josh Kell joined Switch as Executive Creative Director, you’ve likely been making strides to learn about this seasoned professional and family man extraordinaire. From poring over his colorful press release to clicking liberally through his online portfolio … and maybe even catching his 21 minutes of HGTV fame, your efforts could earn you a free round of booze at Josh Kell Trivia.
But is that enough? Kell no. Like so many others, you still have questions lingering for our newest-found leader, and you deserve answers. We took the liberty of prying just a wee more from Mr. Kell, and today we’re happy to deliver them to you. Enjoy!
If you were a song, what song would you be?
JK: Hot ‘n’ Cold by Katy Perry. I have big mood swings, so you never know what you’re going to get.
What is your spirit animal?
JK: I’d probably say a Kangaroo. It physically can’t move backwards, only forwards. And I think that’s important in this business, and life in general. Yes, learning from the past is important, but if we focus on it too much we can’t move on. We can’t go forward. And that should be the way we approach everything. Move forward. Advance. Take risks. Make new mistakes.
What are you listening to these days?
JK: I have a record player at work, so I’ve been listening to a lot of old school soul music. Al Green, Bill Withers, the Temptations, Leon Bridges (who is new to the scene, but has this amazing old-school sound). Gary Clark Jr. fits that mold a bit as well, though he’s more blues than soul. On my phone and computer I have The Black Keys, A$AP Rocky, Cold War Kids, Oddisee and a couple others in the rotation these days.
What website do you visit daily?
JK: Sadly I don’t visit websites like I used to. At work I tend to be stuck in meetings and don’t want to be distracted by my computer, and at home I tend to spend my free time with my family (I know, I know, I’m an amazing human being), so I just spend less and less time online. My fantasy football teams have really suffered over the years. The one person I do go out of my way to read though is Shea Serrano on Grantland. Love his voice and perspective.
What’s the last good book you read?
JK: I’m currently reading To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris. He wrote And Then We Came To The End, which is one of my all time favorite books, so it was a no brainer to pick up his latest release. Before that it was Gone Girl and The Fault In Our Stars because I’m pretty much a 13-year-old girl. As an aside, the casting of Gus in the movie was a travesty.
What’s your favorite app?
JK: Sadly I don’t really use apps that much. Mostly just Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. In the fall I’ll use all the fantasy football apps to manage me team. But that’s pretty much it. #OldSchool
What’s weird about you?
JK: Everything? Can’t think of anything that I’d consider weird or unusual. But I guess if you asked everyone else they’d think of something. I hate being late, but I wouldn’t consider that weird. I hold grudges. To the point that it’s relatively irrational.
Name three things that are worth every penny.
JK: Great food. Music. Shoes.
What are you proud of?
JK: Hmmm, lots of stuff. Work-wise: At my former agency, I worked on a series of short documentaries for Gatorade called “Win From Within: The Series.” It told some great stories of young athletes who over came great odds in life and how sports played into them not giving up even when things looked bleakest. Personal: My kids (but everyone says that). There are other things I’m more proud of, but they’re personal, so I’ll keep them that way for now.
What are you excited about right now?
JK: Football season. Also haven’t really settled back into St. Louis yet, so I’m excited for that to (hopefully) happen.
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