Verified by VERB
Episode 11, by Greg “Call me Gref” Dobson
Verified by VERB is back! This time, with Account Manager, average hockey goalie, self-titled funny man, lover of dad jokes, guitar and singing covers on Instagram, Greg Dobson who is known to many as Gref for that one time he signed his name wrong in an email and embraced this incredible nickname.
G: Are we on the record?
V: I guess so?
G: Perfect. It needs to be Authentic.
V: There’s no microphone so you know.
G: Typing fingers are the microphone of the digital world I always say.
V: STOP. Ok what do you do?
G: I am an Account Manager. I work with clients to help facilitate how their brand’s digital footprint exists by bridging the gap between their visions and the realities of time, budget, and technical ability. I help communicate between the client and our team and try and make it sound nice along the way. See? Didn’t that sound nice?
V: Really stretching the word count on that one eh?
G: Absolutely. You know, you can drive the quickest route to your destination or take the long way and enjoy the scenery. Either way, you’ll get to where you’re going.
V: This is too much. Ok, music. Go!
G: I love music.
V: What do you listen to?
G: I have a wide range depending on the mood I’m in. I can go in to a 70’s/80’s rock mood and listen to the records I have at work or at home or hit up the “New Music Friday” Spotify playlist and see what resonates. I didn’t plan on having a record collection and going full hipster, It just happened organically when my dad suggested I take his collection home because we have similar taste in music. I have over 200 of his records dating back to when he was 14, each with their own individual note describing when he bought them, his favourite songs, and general notes on the album which makes it so special.
Top 3 played Vinyl albums for me:
1. Elton John — Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
A Classic Album. My dad always listened to Elton when I was growing up. I have about 20 of his albums and love all of the different kinds of songs he has.
2. KISS — Destroyer
One of my favourite bands. I have been able to see them twice in concert and they have some classic rock songs. I was always a big fan of the crazy outfits and paint that made them stand out and how they created their own identity that others can’t really do.
3. Phil Collins — Face Value
Because PHIL IS THE MAN. That drum solo though…you can’t not get hyped up for anything after that. I could be about to type up an email and if that solo came on there is a 97% chance I will do so more aggressively on my keyboard because the song made me do it.
Newer albums on the go? The Beaches — The Late Show. Awesome all-female canadian band. Slash — Living the Dream. Slash is the reason I learned to play guitar.
V: What are you watching?
G: I only recently got Netflix after not having it for over 2 years and have been binging at an aggressive rate. Recent shows/movies:
Peaky Blinders — 1920’s crime family from Birmingham. It follows the Shelby family. After watching an episode, it’s at least 30 minutes before I can talk without trying to replicate their accent.
Designated Survivor — Kiefer Sutherland’s whisper acting is something you can’t help but get hooked on. He stars as the President after the entire government is wiped out. Fantastic show if you are into political drama-type shows.
Suits — Harvey Spector’s style is something I aspire to have. I consider myself to be a bit of an old soul, but his suit game is running at a 12/10 minimum.
V: What kinds of things are you reading these days?
G: I’m big into crime/mystery type novels. Anything John Grisham. You get a lawyer in a suits-esque grey area of the law scenario with some crazy stuff thrown in there and I’ll read it. I also am a watch nerd and read up on watch history for certain brands. Currently reading “The Client” by John Grisham.
Greg is an Account Manager at VERB Interactive — a leader in digital marketing, specializing in solutions for the travel and hospitality industry. Find out more at www.verbinteractive.com.
