Alumni Spotlight Details

Andrew Cohen ‘07 graduated from University of Miami - Florida in 2011 with a degree in management and marketing. He then attended Babson College where he earned his MBA in 2013. In 2013, he began working at Moosylvania, a full-service creative agency that serves global brands like Bacardi and PayPal. He quickly rose through the ranks and is now the agency’s President. Andrew’s brother, Jay, is also a Whitfield alumnus, Class of 2006. Andrew lives in St. Louis and is married with three children. He is still best friends with multiple 2007 graduates.

Describe how Whitfield prepared you for college and beyond. 

I was extremely prepared from a workload, testing, and overall educational starting point. The Whitfield classroom approach was very similar to business school, where you made a real relationship with your teacher. With business, specifically, you take a lot of math-driven classes (economics, finance, accounting), and Whitfield really helped me jump into those at a high level early on without much struggle. I was also prepared to network and be active within the culture of a fraternity and committees as well. 

What are some of your favorite Whitfield memories?

I loved the Green Scene that we created, which was our cheering section for all sports. We really rallied around each other across different sports and supported one another. I also loved when the gym/workout facility was developed, as it ensured we had a top-notch place to grow as athletes. Additionally, I vaguely remember going to make a sandwich in between classes and getting a punch card for snacks— key moments of teenage growth. The environment for us was one filled with trust and opportunities. It was a really special time of personal and academic growth.

What were some of your favorite classes at Whitfield? Why?

I’m pretty sure I wrote in 10th grade English, Ms. Lotz’s class, about Will Smith’s song “Miami” being something that spoke to my personality. Funny enough, I ended up going to college there, so the joke's on you, Ms. Lotz! 

What advice do you have for alumni, young or seasoned, who are interested in your field?

Always be networking. I found myself having conversations with my friends’ parents throughout my high school and college years. The number of connections you can make is really up to you. It may end up changing your career path or landing you a job. In my field, we are internet warriors. We study what happens constantly and adapt to things like social channels, the Internet, and AI. The creativity of our field is what keeps people so intrigued, and if it is of interest, know that you will always be searching for what’s next. If you like things that are “black and white,” this is not a good space for you;  mostly everything is subjective and gray. 

Describe your career.

My career has been a story of creativity & constant innovation/optimization. I started by making a blog in college called “On The Can” writing sports that you could read in the bathroom. It helped me get into grad school, and from there, I wanted to make dog toys. After two years of trying, I was convinced to work in St. Louis for my dad and his multiple businesses. I sold the one I was working at within the first three months, a focus group company called Hatch. Luckily, Moosylvania was my fallback and has been an amazing spot for me to grow in countless ways. After 12+ years and multiple roles in the agency (copywriter, community manager, director of social, chief operations officer, chief strategy officer, and now President), I have used the same hit of creativity and a desire for optimization as a key driver of my success. 

Where do I go next? I’ve always enjoyed coaching and giving back to people who are looking for consultative help. I love teaching and helping others and get to do a lot of it every day in my day job. I’ve also got little kids who keep me plenty busy in odd hours, so my days are truly fulfilled. 

I’m very grateful for what Whitfield has done for my life and specifically to Laura Lotz for staying connected as I’ve grown into an older than I’d like to admit alumnus.