How MSU Ad Creative Professor of Practice, Sam Sefton, Brings Big-Brand Experience to the Classroom
Sefton turns decades of work on Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and JBL into real-world lessons for future ad pros
By: Bella Stevens
After decades of creating campaigns for powerhouse brands like Jeep, Dodge and JBL, ad creative professor of practice, Sam Sefton now brings his creative expertise to Michigan State University’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations.
Before joining MSU, Sefton built an impressive career in advertising, working at major agencies such as Doner, FCB and BBDO. His creative journey began at a small Chicago design firm after transferring to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he discovered his passion for conceptual storytelling.
“At Doner, I worked on Jeep for years before being named creative director on Dodge,” Sefton said. “We wanted to inject performance back into the brand — and that campaign changed everything.”
The campaign, “Grab Life by the Horns,” became one of Dodge’s most iconic taglines, shaping the brand’s bold, adventurous identity. Later, Sefton led campaigns for JBL, including inventing the tagline, “Take Your Music Further” initiative, which helped launch the brand’s portable speakers to Gen Z consumers.
Before joining us at MSU, Sefton also taught at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he strengthened his approach to helping young creatives concept, refine and present their work confidently.
Sefton’s philosophy centers on creativity with intention.
“Don’t think creatively until you have a position,” he said. “You have to strategically have a point of view.”
Now, he applies that same mindset to teaching, challenging students to balance imagination and discipline. He does this in his Copywriting, Creative Media and Multimedia Commercial Production classes.
“You can’t just check the box,” he said. “If there’s no big idea behind it, it’s not going in your portfolio.”
Sefton’s classroom blends mentorship, honesty and humor.
“There’s a triangle of teacher, creative director and dad,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve seen fire and rain – and a few tears – but my goal is to help students push themselves creatively and professionally.”
For Sefton, advertising and teaching share the same foundation: curiosity, collaboration and commitment.
“Be a hand raiser,” he tells his students. “Make life easier for the people you work for, stay curious and don’t be afraid to stand out. You’re your own brand, too.”
Learn more about Sefton’s work by visiting his MSU faculty bio or Linkedin.