In twelve years with advertising agencies in San Francisco and New York, Mike combined creative and management work on gasoline and motor oils, airlines, banks, beers, cigars, etc. His mentors and colleagues were among the legendary... David Ogilvy, Carl Ally, George Lois, Sam Scali, Jay Chiat... Transferred to Miami to supervise its two largest advertising accounts, he escaped suit duty and got back to making ads by starting his own agency. In his garage. In a town that was then one of the country's smallest metro markets. Where he knew hardly anyone and hardly anyone knew him. His first two print ads were spotted by Advertising Age and named among the ten best of the month. He quickly won recognition as one of advertising's best writer/admakers and was able to attract great talent as well as accounts. Mike Sloan Inc. soon was recognized as one of the pacesetting agencies in the U.S. Ad Week named Mike among the Southeast's ten most influential ad people of the 80's and captain of its all-star creative team. The Wall Street Journal named him among the nation's creative giants. He served as a Director of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. In the mid-80's Mike sold his agency and seemed to walk away from advertising. Well, not exactly. He freelanced and made ads for resorts, airlines, engines and other considered-purchase advertisers. And occasionally taught talented youngsters copy / concept / wordsmithing at the Miami Ad School.