Last week—before he jetted back to Australia—we tracked down Fallon’s new Chief Creative Officer Darren Spiller. Pressed for time, our Aussie transplant agreed to an interview—as long as it took place in the spare seconds between his mandatory meetings and rendezvous. We protested, but relented and decided a full interview could wait for later. This bite-sized interview took place in Fallon’s hallowed halls, while the in-shape Spiller bounded from room to room and our out-of-shape interviewer lagged behind, heaving but managing to rasp a few words. We need to work out more often.

After soaking up Fallon for a couple of days, what stands out among your early impressions?

That’s a lot of passion in one place.

What about this job will be different from that of your previous?

(speaking very fast) Actually, I think more about the similarities than the differences: like creativity being at the top of everyone’s minds, a sense of camaraderie, family, and the commitment to fresh work. That is why I took the job.

What part of this move is your family looking forward to?

(downs a Red Bull in one gulp) A white Christmas, one that feels like a storybook. We are used to barbecues and the beach after opening presents.

Any Minnesota activities you’re looking forward to trying?

(racing away) A performance at the Guthrie and (trailing off) a drive up to Lake Superior.

CCO Darren Spiller will officially arrive in Minnesota in June. Read about why he became an ad man (a bad sitcom had something to do with it, trust) here. And throw another shrimp on the barbie.