Creativity runs through Matt McDermott’s veins. It’s also on his skin.

The president of the Baltimore-based ad agency Humble & Wallop has some of his favorite quotes tattooed on his arms. Among them is one from the Bard of Baltimore, H.L. Mencken: “We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.” 

A fondness for that kind of irreverence has fueled McDermott’s on-again, off-again love affair with the advertising business.

I’ve really leaned into the fact that I can pull together a team that will push the envelope and not worry about being safe.

Matt McDermott

After graduating from TU with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing, he worked in the industry before detouring to become a teacher. Since returning, he’s experienced highs and lows, and now he’s running a small firm that’s making a big impact working for clients from Maryland to California. 

 “I’ve really leaned into the fact that I can pull together a team that will push the envelope and not worry about being safe,” he says. 

Sounds like something that could be tattooed on an arm. 

1977

Born at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

1995

Graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and enrolled at TU. 

“I wasn’t even sure I was going to college, but I fell in love with it quickly. I had incredible mentors who took an interest in me, in the work that I was doing.”

1997

Published a book review in the Baltimore Sun that was arranged by one of his professors.  

“I had dynamic, engaged and simply human teachers. I felt like I was seen, and I felt like they were rooting for me.” 

2000

Graduated from TU and started working at Renegade. 

“I was writing awful TV spots for Comcast, but I loved the people. There was a lot of talent there, people who could write, edit, code, who would act if needed. To be able to learn from them was a real highlight.” 

2002

Became a teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools. The 9/11 attacks sparked a desire in him to make a difference. Earned his master’s while teaching English at Frederick Douglass High School. 

“It’s still the best and hardest job that I’ve ever had. The best part was creating connections with students who truly cared.”

2003

Married his wife, Wendy. They have a 15-year-old son, Ferris. 

2006

Went back to Renegade. 

“The third year is often make-or-break for teachers. I was burned out. I went back to advertising. It’s one of the few professions where you get to exercise multiple talents and multiple perspectives.” 

2010

Freelanced for National Geographic and began working for an agency in Columbia, Maryland, that worked with the National Security Agency. 

2012

Joined idfive as creative director.  

“Those were some of the best years of my career. It was an opportunity to really cut my teeth as a creative leader and be a part of building something big.”

2017

Taught advertising as an adjunct professor at TU for four years.  

2021

Joined the Harvey Agency as chief creative officer. Later bought the firm.  

“Kathy Harvey was a rock ‘n roll type who had a ton of ideas. She was getting close to retirement and her passions were in other places. My second day there CoverGirl let us know they were terminating their contract with us. It was in the neighborhood of 85% of the agency’s business. I thought I could turn things around. I was spectacularly wrong.” 

2022

Took the agency through bankruptcy. 

“I just didn’t have enough runway. We made major strides and did some incredible stuff, but there was no way for it to survive.”

2023

Rebooted the agency as Humble & Wallop.  

“It was humbling to get knocked down, and the wallop idea was, ‘We’re going to get back up and punch our way back.” 

2024

Today, the five-person firm does branding and identity, marketing and activation, and creative development and execution work for clients like Schmidt Old Tyme Bread and George Washington University.

“Working with great folks and having incredible clients that trust you to take chances is really when you can get excited. The idea of building something bigger than advertising—something cultural—is always the goal.”