The do-it-all man, the softly spoken, laugh out loud, self-motivator in the office, Spencer Naar joined Outside PR in mid-2013 as Account Coordinator, quickly rose to Account Executive and has been kicking butt ever since. Born of the same township as the infamous James Franco, the Palo Alto native is much more charismatic and gets in far less social media hot spots, making him a real catch.
With an almost addictive obsession with running, completing his first trail ultra last year, Spenno balances work and life with an impassioned perfection rarely seen. It helps that he can go running along the spectacular Sausalito waterfront on his lunch-break too. Having worked at a yoga retreat, non-profits and an international foreign exchange company, Spenno brings a variety of dynamic skills to the table. Now, let’s bombard him like the Spanish Inquisition.
1. Name and Occupation at OPR: Spencer Naar. Two people in the office refer to me as Spenno and NarNar. Account Executive.
2. Favourite sport: I’m a big fan of trail running and came to learn it was a great way to discover new places — I would intentionally try and get lost so I could find a new way back home. I’d end up finding all sorts of gems along the way – hidden parks and dive bars in San Diego, deserted beaches in Hawaii, crazy lookout points in San Francisco, including Tank Hill, my favorite place in the city.
3. What’s your spirit animal? Elephant
Riding the Spirit Animal
4. What do you love about the PR industry and OutsidePR specifically? I like the challenge of finding new and creative ways to communicate, whether pitching a product, a brand or a story. I also enjoy the process of disseminating and sharing information. I love the people at OPR and appreciate the energy and drive they bring to work each day.
The biggest challenge is working inside while watching tourists, bikers, and wine lovers vacation below our office outside.
5. Drink of choice? Moscow Mule (Ed note: great choice)
6. Speedos or boardshorts? Boardshorts… Hawaiian-themed preferred (Ed note: another great choice. This is why he’s paid the big bucks)
7. If you had to pick one sport to do for the rest of your life, not including trail running, what would it be? Outrigger canoeing
This is no outrigger canoeing, but it still rules.
8. Who is your inspiration in life, personal and professional? It would definitely be my parents. They’ve taught me the value of hard work, persistence and going after what I want. They’ve also been my biggest support network.
9. What’s your jam? “For What It’s Worth”, Buffalo Springfield, or anything by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
10. What decade speaks to you? The 80s. Especially the movies: Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Christmas Vacation, Big, Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I love all the classics and the simplicity of films back then.
11. What has been a highlight of working at OPR so far? Jenny and Gordon’s impromptu dance parties, which quickly turn into slapping matches. It’s like watching two young children all jacked up on Mountain Dew.
12. What sport would you add to and which would you take away from the Olympic line-up? I would add the ultra marathon or fat bike racing and take away shooting.
13. What do you think that Public Relations adds to a brand, and why is OPR so important? I think PR adds a more in-depth and richer story to a brand in ways marketing and advertising are unable to do so. All three are important but PR more fully communicates a brands’ context and connects consumers with the heart and soul behind the product. OPR is important because we’re good storytellers, we have long-lasting personal relationships with the media and we believe in the outdoor lifestyle. We also deeply love the brands we represent and engage.
14. Can you dance? NOPE!
15. Prove it. NOPE! 🙂
16. Favourite quote/mantra? “Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things”. My personal favorite though is “Blessed is the man who having nothing to say abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.”
17. If you were an item of food, what would it be? Animal-style nachos.
18. What has been the best place you’ve traveled to and why? I lived in Western Samoa for 4 months back in 2007 and the experience changed the way I looked at the world. I learned so much about culture and community. The locals were the friendliest people I’ve ever met – complete strangers would invite me into their homes for dinner. I was completely inspired by the subsistence way of living. It was eye opening to see how resourceful we can be and how simple we can live.
19. Favourite funny story that involves you? In the 5th grade I was in a Cub Scout troop and one day we were talking about government and the Executive branch. Our troop leader started shouting out questions. “Who is the president of the United States?” “Bill Clinton” we all yelled back. “Who is the Vice-President of the United States?” “Al Gore a couple of us said.” Then, our troop master threw us a curve: “Who is the Speaker of the House?” The room was silent but I confidently raised my hand and without hesitation blurted out “My Mother!”
Dominating Salt Lake City
20. 5 Things someone might not know about you:
1)- I’m a big sleep talker. Some of my friends refuse to camp with me.
2)- I can play the trumpet.
3)- I make a mean lasagna.
4)- I was named after the 80s mystery tv series Spenser: For Hire
5)- I’ve been known to rearrange furniture when I get anxious.
Winning at life
All That's Fit 