From Connecticut Pizza to Cultural Strategy: A Two-Fer Chat with Kim Haxton and Andre Picard

In this delightful indie two-fer, we caught up with Kim Haxton, partner at Mythology, and Andre (Dre) Picard, creative director at Response Marketing. Haxton traced her thoughtful journey from design school to indie leadership, while Picard reflected on how a childhood sketch habit turned into a full-blown creative career. From pitching brands in a literal barn to shaping campaigns for A24, both bring an intentional, grounded perspective to their work. Their stories highlight what makes indie agency life so rewarding—deep client relationships, meaningful creative, and the freedom to define your own path.

Haxton on the Journey from Design to Leadership

“I wasn’t a full fan of advertising in the traditional sense,” Haxton said, reflecting on her entry into the industry via design. She studied at Art Center in San Francisco and originally aimed for editorial roles. But after sending out her book, Fallon New York was the first to call. From there, she moved through Taxi, Anomaly, and Wieden+Kennedy before finding a long-term creative home at Mythology—where she’s been since 2018 and now serves as partner.

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What Variety in Clients Brings to the Table

Haxton likens the work to acting: each client is a new role, a new immersive world. At Mythology, smaller client loads mean the team can dive deep. Whether going vegan for a Just Egg brief or doing heat-drenched immersions at Universal Studios, she thrives on learning the nuances of every brand. That depth keeps the creative fresh—and the work meaningful.

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Parenting as the Ultimate Leadership Training

Being a mom, Haxton said, has sharpened her leadership style more than any management course ever could. She spoke about juggling multiple responsibilities, managing creative personalities, and applying emotional insight to client relationships. “We’re often doing brand therapy,” she said, noting how parenting tools, like psychologist Dr. Becky’s methods, help guide team dynamics and brand positioning alike.

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Becoming Partner—and Keeping the Work Fun

The decision to become partner came after freelancing at Mythology and carefully weighing the next step. Haxton valued the creative leadership role and the chance to build something with long-term impact. With an independent structure, the agency stays selective with clients and focused on work that truly matters. “We still need to have fun,” she said. “If we’re not doing work we’re proud of, it’s probably not a great fit.”

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Picard’s Early Roots as a Sketch Artist

Picard grew up sketching constantly. “I was always pretty artistic,” he said, describing his childhood in a blue-collar Connecticut family. Graphic design wasn’t part of the plan—it was just an elective. But one poster project using Illustrator flipped a switch. “I got hooked,” he said, and a creative career quickly followed.

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From Agencies to Barns—and Starbucks

By sophomore year of college, Picard was juggling full-time school and a full-time internship at Catapult Marketing. After roles at Alcone and others, he joined a mentor to start an agency in a literal barn. They passed around USB drives, pitched relentlessly—and eventually landed Starbucks. That project required hiring dozens of people and marked a turning point in his career. “We hit it big, and it changed everything.”

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The Art of Local Design with Sally’s Apizza

New Haven pizza is serious business, and Sally’s Apizza is one of its crown jewels. Picard led design work to help elevate the brand while staying rooted in its Italian heritage. “There’s more at stake with local work,” he said. “If you don’t take good care of it, people will get pissed.” The design needed to feel handcrafted but polished, honoring both tradition and evolution.

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Creativity, Accessibility, and Advice for the Next Gen

“Everyone’s creative,” Picard said. “They just don’t always realize it.” But design, he added, is creativity applied with purpose—solving problems and moving people. For those considering a creative career—especially without industry connections—his advice is to trust what brings you joy. “Put yourself in a context where you enjoy what you’re doing. The universe will reward you for that.”

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