May 8, 2018

Meet James (Jim) Ardito of Ardito Creative Enterprises (ACE) in North side

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to James (Jim) Ardito.

James (Jim) , let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve got to say it’s been one hell of a writing ride for me since my writing experience in cuneiform for the Persians to getting a Masters Degree in advertising copywriting and getting hired to write TV ,radio and print for Foote Cone and Belding, big time ad agency on Michigan Ave. I was there a number of years then jumped ship to start the Right Writers, traversed over to a pharma healthcare ad agency, then escaped to start Ardito Creative Enterprises (ACE), a full-service creative resource where I’ve been captain of the ship for 27 years or so –and no one’s jumped overboard.

Along the way, I’ve been honored to tackle an array of creative challenges for Fortune 500 companies and a bunch more that are less fortunate, but nonetheless lovable. I’ve written (and developed concepts) for Abbott Labs, AT&T, Baxter, Kraft, Burger King, FedEx, Mickey D’s and Playboy (that led to some interesting parties). I’ve also done hundreds of projects for Chicago-based companies. Over the course of my career, I estimate I’ve written for 2,215 (ok 2216) clients, handling 3527 or 3528 projects spanning 38 different writing media. Whew, I’m exhausted.

ACE tackles an array of communication projects in more or less “popcorn” fashion, expanding our staff as things heat up and more talent beyond writing — like graphic design or website design is needed. We offer writing for electronic media, including Websites with SEO, e-blasts, social media, e-newsletters and anything else “e.” We’re into concept and campaign development, TV and radio commercials, films, videos, print advertising and we wig out for naming and tagline development projects.

One of great accomplishments of my great (and humble) career is writing the tagline for W.W. Grainger (“For the ones who get it done”) that has become the basis of their branding internationally. I’m also thrilled to note that Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Mike Royko wrote an entire column about an even I staged and I;ve been on tv for two other publicity events and not once because I was arrested.

I was always trying to promote my nationally syndicated column, “Fighin’ Mad” and though I loved it, I never got beyond 5 papers. Part of that was do to the size of my national syndicate which used paper route money to promote me.

Forget those achievements, I guess what I’m most honored and proud to note is the fact that I helped start the Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) and an organization that, after 36 years is bigger and stronger than it ever was. I cannot say the same for myself since I’ve shrunk 1 1/2 inches. Thanks for paying attention.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been fabulous, but not without bumps, curves and getting bounced around now and then. It is not easy to survive as a independent writer for 35 years, never mind thriving. Only about 10% of writers in Chicago make a living at it. You have to hustle your butt off for business, network like crazy, be amazingly versatile in terms of writing skills and it doesn’t hurt of to pay off people at Magazines like Voyage Chicago *(only kidding).

Another thing I’ve had to overcome is learning to get over my fear of bragging about myself at networking groups like chambers and BNI and LeTip, Here’s a Letip for success at overcoming nervousness in front of a group — forget picking them in their underwear, picture them in your underwear.

Giving up your ego is another trick I learned from Gandhi.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ardito Creative Enterprises (ACE) story. Tell us more about the business.
I’ve kind of answered this, but I think having a sense of humor and being clever and thinking outside the box is really what distinguishes us from other writers or creative groups. I have a business card that is a multi-page book the size of a business card. The folks at AT&T corporate headquarters in New Jersey thought that little book was so cool they gave us a year-long project to develop new product ideas for the firm.

We’re big on integrity, being fair with our pricing and always being kind and appreciative. It’s always an honor to get a job. We value the trust that entails from our clients and work until the job meets or exceeds expectations,

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Ahh, I’ll get weird on you, I don’t much believe in good luck. I believe in energy and that the sheer force of belief can make seemingly impossible things happen. What other people call miracles happen to me all the time. For example, it’s a miracle my wife has stayed married to me all these years. (Ha ha) But I;m serious. I could tell you a story about a vapor lock that happened to my car outside of Las Vegas that changed the course of my life. And a trader who gave me $50,000 to write what I wanted to for a year after I knew him for only 2 hours.

People say, “Wow, what a coincidence” to this and that. I’m not buying it in terms of the good, bad or ugly that happens to you. Most of the time — not all — the force is with you or against you and that’s that.

Pricing:

Generally $85 an hour for writing or per project basis — depending on the size of the project, deadline, number of people who review, etc.
Writing a website from scratch takes a bunch but editing it to make content sharper, better and sells like hell is a lot more reasonable..
Web design can be around $3500 – $4000
Tagline development (there is a whole process involved) can be anywhere from $500 to $2500
Blogs can be anywhere from $150 for down and dirty to $250 ish

Contact Info: