As Trilix grows to serve our clients, our need for creative writers has grown as well. Trilix’s sights landed on Zac Usinger Smith-Son from Frisco, Texas. With an impressive background from a variety of locations and industries, Zac brings his talents to Trilix as a senior creative copywriter.
We sat down with Zac to learn a little more about his experiences, his passions and hobbies.
Can you tell me about your professional background and education?
Growing up in a predominantly Georgia Bulldog household was especially interesting for a young Florida Gator fan. This culminated when I surprised my family by attending the University of Florida for my undergraduate degree. Afterward, I attended Full Sail University for my master’s. After graduating, I moved to California, where I worked in copywriting for a production company. Not too long after, I moved to Seattle for a year as part of an e-commerce company that played a big part in the start-up of Amazon. A year later, the opportunity presented itself for me to join The North Face in San Francisco. And then a few months later, our team relocated down to the sun-drenched hills of Southern California.
I also worked at Crunchy Roll, a large division of Sony Pictures, and was fortunate enough to lead a lot of the conceptual work for our booths at New York and San Diego Comic Con. Additionally, I spent a few years at State Farm Insurance where I worked on a ton of cool pieces, including NBA and NFL partnership spots with Chris Paul and Aaron Rodgers.
What are your strengths professionally?
Aside from copywriting, I’ve always enjoyed working with people. As someone who grew up with three older sisters (8 and 16 years older), I have experience connecting and empathizing with others. This unique skillset allows me to better connect to a wide range of clients.
What is your favorite aspect of the job? What do you look forward to?
I’m most excited to see what every day has in store for me. While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at other companies, I would rather handle individual clients and their ever-changing needs. I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving, and working at an agency demands that you be able to think on your toes!
Tell us about your life outside work. What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
My wife and I have an 8-year-old daughter named Emma. She has high-functioning Autism and is insanely intelligent. Her one love in life is the show “Bob’s Burgers.” She also enjoys drawing, eating Reese’s Puffs cereal and drinking Dr. Pepper — when we allow it.
We also have two dogs with their own Instagram accounts: Ben and Teebo, aptly named after Old Ben Kenobi and Teebo the Ewok Hunter. My wife is a graphic artist and project manager. We both love to travel and try to go outside the country at least once a year. As a sports fan, living so close to Dallas allows me to partake in some of the best sporting events in the country — especially FC Dallas. I also coach a U8 soccer team in the spring and a U14 club team in the fall.
As for hobbies, I enjoy purchasing and flipping rare collectibles, like Funko POP! vinyl figures and high-end busts and statues from shows, movies and video games. Currently, my collection consists of over 3,000 Funko POPs, 90 busts, 300 statues and 100 framed comics and wrestling autographs. My house looks like a museum at times, but I’m always looking for opportunities to flip items with the mega multiplier that is low supply and high demand in play.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Most certainly Japan. I would love to just spend two weeks there, to be honest.
What is your favorite type of food?
My favorite type of food is basically any and all Asian cuisines, specifically Japanese or Korean. My favorite dish is Thai, called pad woon sen with beef and shrimp with some extra heat added.
Favorite movie and/or TV show?
My top five favorite films of all-time are (in order) “Jaws,” “Blade Runner,” “The Thing,” “Mandy,” and “Big Trouble in Little China.”
My top five shows of 2021 or 2022 are (in order) “Loki,” “Stranger Things” season 4, “Mayans MC,” “The Boys” season 3 and “Barry.”
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson so I could see what it’s like to step into the shoes of the nicest, most entertaining and electrifying man in the world.
Morning person or night owl?
I’m absolutely a night owl. Aren’t all creatives creatures of the night? "What music they make!” — Bela Lugosi (1931)
Anything else you’d like us to know about you?
I’m a whiskey aficionado. Growing up in Georgia, I always heard that Woodford Reserve was king. And for a time, once I was old enough to drink, I agreed. As the years went on, I sampled hundreds of whiskey/bourbons. Still, it was Woodford to my palate. Then one day, I discovered a Japanese whiskey called Nikka Gold at a popular Austin, Texas, bar. And now I must say, it’s easily the best out there — and cannot be convinced otherwise.
If you could do any other kind of work, what would it be?
I’ve always wanted to be a Fantasy or Sci-Fi author. Maybe I’ll make it happen one of these days.