Detroit Catholic Central Alumnus John Rehm ‘86 spoke to students interested in careers in marketing and advertising on March 23 as a part of CC’s Career Conferences series, providing a background on his work history, samples from his field, and advice to students on character growth and mindset.

A Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Services at Jack Morton Worldwide, an experiential marketing agency whose Detroit branch works exclusively for General Motors, Rehm specializes in creating immersive experiences within branded entertainment, auto shows, and diversity through video, virtual reality, and other content creation. 

Rehm explained the many forms of marketing: traditional (radio, print, mail, television), out of home (billboards), social/digital, communications/PR, experiential, and sponsorship. 

Rehm’s past work heading Chevrolet's Sports and Entertainment Marketing led him to partnerships with entities including the Country Music Association, Major League Baseball, Outdoors Hunting & Fishing, and NASCAR. Currently working in branded entertainment, Rehm’s work includes product placement, securing General Motors vehicles in high-end movies such as Transformers. Working primarily within the auto show scene, Rehm crafts stories through video content and virtual reality for Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick GMC.

Emphasizing the importance of cultivating a positive mindset, Rehm spoke to students on character, initiative, leadership, courage, success, and service.

“Mindset is everything you’re getting here at CC through goodness, discipline, and knowledge,” Rehm told students. “You have to shed the negativity and be a positive influence. Mindset is a muscle you have to exercise. It’s easy to get negative when things aren’t happening, but you have to look for the opportunity, what’s good”

Rehm continued, explaining to students how to get ahead in the world and what hiring managers look for in a candidate:

“In the real world, the people that show a positive mindset and look for opportunity are the ones that break free and are successful. Break through and lead. I always say, ‘hire the smile, teach the skill’. I don’t sit there and look at someone's resume for what they’ve accomplished. For me, first and foremost, I want to see what kind of person they are. Are they a positive influence, a positive role model? Are they going to get along with people and contribute to the overarching culture? Are they willing to help people? When you have a positive team and a positive culture, that’s what helps you move mountains.”

Rehm also spoke with students on creating a personal brand through focusing on the values they learn at Catholic Central.

“Catholic Central is the biggest head start you’ll ever have,” he said. “Goodness, discipline, and knowledge are amazing principles and develop integrity. How you portray yourself, how you treat others, matters.”