Alan Pafenbach

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Pafenbach, 48, once thought advertising was for lunatics. But after flirting with journalism in college, he decided instead to join the asylum. The opportunity to write and create spots-and get paid for it-intrigued him. His big break came in 1995, when he and Lance Jensen, his partner at Havas’ Arnold, were tapped to lead the creative pitch for the lucrative Volkswagen account. Eight years later, Pafenbach continues to produce fresh ideas for VW, but he still thinks the industry is a bit insane.

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