Mark Pettit shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Mark, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I love going to the beach to soak up the sun and listen to the crashing waves. Something about the beach recharges and renews me. I just got back from there after about six months of non-stop work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mark Pettit. My profession is marketing/PR and my passions are acting and writing. A number of people have referred to me as a “Renaissance Man” because I’ve reinvented myself multiple times over my career.
I’ve just always believed in evolving and the philosophy of “Bloom where you’re planted.”
I’m the founder/CEO of the marketing/PR firm, Creaxion. We’ve now been in business for more than 27 years. Over the past six-months we’ve totally overhauled the way we do business and I’m proud to say we’re now an AI-powered brand innovation agency. I’m just as excited about my company today as I was on Day One.
I’m also a working actor with more than 30 credits on IMDb. I’m also the author of two best-selling books: “A Need to Kill”–about Nebraska serial child killer John Joubert and “ANKRBOY”–which is based on my true-life story.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I credit my parents for my work ethic. I grew up in rural North Georgia and both my parents worked in carpet mills. It was tough, grueling work but they never complained. They just did what it took to keep our family clothed and fed. I just always figured if they could do it–I should do it. I dare you to find another guy who works as hard as I do. But don’t get me wrong, I love to have fun. See my earlier response about the beach.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. As you’ll read in my book, ANKRBOY, I almost gave up on life itself after I lost my job in TV news in the early 1990’s. From as far back as I can remember, all I every wanted to be was an anchorman like Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw. Real reporters–and not just some guy reading the news. I lost my job after my true sexual identity was revealed. At the time, no one wanted me. No other station would hire me. I was miserable, lonely and despondent. I went off the deep end and it almost ended badly. But, I finally came to my senses and realized maybe the news needed me more than I needed it.
The irony of all ironies is that today as an actor, I get called on to play an anchorman or TV reporter more than just about any other actor in America. For example, you can catch me in “Captain America; Brave New World,” “True Detective,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “Mindhunter,” and on the surprising new hit “The Hunting Wives.”
Life has a funny way of working itself out. Sometimes, just not in a way you expected.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to think that I had to be the guy people wanted me to be. What I’ve realized is that being your authentic self is the only way to go. Be yourself, no matter what. The right people will like you for it and the other people don’t really matter.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I wake up in the morning and my little French Bulldog, Kody is snuggled up against my chest. We are too of the happiest guys in the world at that very moment in time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creaxion.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pettit/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-pettit-b451821b/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.pettit.351
- Other: https://ankrboy.com/
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