Executive Suite: Adman Rick Chiorando

If you have any doubts about Rick Chiorando's passion for his job, just check his Twitter bio, which says: "Nailing a concept is more fun than finding a Snickers Bar in your bag lunch!"

In the advertising world for 35 years, Chiorando, 55, says that "from the time I was able to hold a pencil, I was drawing and creating . . . This is one of a few professions that soon after you nail the concept, you see it live in print or broadcast. You look at it and say to yourself, 'I did that.' It's instant gratification."

He and his colleagues also work in a creative, dog-friendly environment, hosting nine canines last year on their first official "Take Your Dog to Work Day."

Chiorando's own two critters are office regulars, providing what he calls some "comic relief." Jesse, a yellow lab featured in a Q&A on the firm's website, has her own Twitter account, @YellowGab. Suki, a bull-terrier, pit-bull mix -- and recent rescue -- was seen one day to "chase out the FedEx guy," says Chiorando, known on Twitter as @chiorick. And for shipping, "Yes, we now use DHL!"

Emerging trends in your industry?
"We've built out teams to capture the emerging markets in mobile apps, search-engine optimization, social marketing and customer profiling. . . . We've kicked these up a few levels by bringing in third-party industry-leading technologies [for SEO analysis and social media monitoring] to help us 'own' these areas. . . . What we're doing -- and the investment we've made -- is so beyond developing a Facebook page."

Biggest headache?
"The commoditization of the industry. Everyone with a Mac is competition in the eyes of a potential client, and it's frustrating that winning or losing an account can rely on a client not completely understanding what we bring to the table. More often than not, it's never an apples to apples comparison."

What impresses you most about job candidates?
"A passion for what they want to do. . . . You can see it in their eyes and how they speak about how they want to turn the industry on its head. I look for a fire . . . not someone who's going through the motions and they are here because their parents told them to get a job."

How do you keep your own creative juices flowing?
"I have a small summer house in Southampton that's my sanctuary. I'm minutes away from Cooper's Beach, where I love to surf cast. I bring my two dogs, and I spend the entire day from sunup to sundown at a place that gives me so much energy and clarity. . . . Many a concept has been crystallized in the sands at Cooper's Beach."

Corporate snapshot

NAME: Rick Chiorando

TITLE: Chief creative officer, one of three partners

COMPANY: Austin & Williams, a private branding, advertising, social media, interactive and direct-marketing agency in Hauppauge

WHAT THEY DO: "We're 'influencers,' or what we fondly refer to as 'marketing psychologists.' We dig deep to understand how and why people make critical decisions, and we influence them with memorable messaging."

REVENUE: Bills an average $15 million to $18 million annually

EMPLOYEES: 28 in account, creative, strategic, photographic and motion-graphics roles