Testimonials
Jessica Sung came to ARS with a fierce work ethic and a head full of poetry. In her first interview with me she shared a blog post she had written called "Sweet Potential." I was struck by the beauty and poetry of her story — the self awareness behind it and the poise with which she presented it. I knew I had to have her on the copy team, and to our good fortune she accepted our offer. Fast forward a year-and-a-half, and I have lost track of the countless ways Jessica’s thoughtful ideas and beautiful copy have impacted so many of our businesses. She has jumped into the proverbial “deep end” and delivered work that belies her youth and experience. She's gotten a "little weirder, and a little wilder" right before our very eyes, and it's been fun to witness.
— STJ, Creative Director
Humble brilliance. Coveted collaborator. Profound work ethic. I had the pleasure of partnering intimately with Jessica on one of our most creatively challenging initiatives. At the center of our efforts was reimagining how storytelling unfolds across a full line of ultra-premium products during the heart of a major rebranding initiative. From uncovering the most meaningful stories to honing and crafting them into heightened, desire-provoking language, there’s no question that the outcome of our success wouldn’t have been the same without Jessica on the team. It’s fair to say, she was challenged well beyond her role and not only did she rise to it effortlessly, she blew it away — and even surprised herself with what she could do. Her intelligence, composure and raw talent exceeds her years of experience. I am incredibly inspired by her and deem her one to watch. All that said, any organization would be lucky to have her.
— RKM, EVP, Creative Director
This is a poem in which what is not said is as powerful as what is said. I am blown away by the taut restraint of the language and form. The poet captures a single moment as, and just after, ceramic bowls fall or are thrown to the floor, and readers are caught in “air that grows thick with clay,” and in the palpable tension of that moment. What has happened? Was this violent moment preceded by anger? Carelessness? And what will happen next? Is this the beginning or end of the violence? Will the words soon become less “hushed”? What will be the next move of the humans assembled on the periphery of the poem. The poem does not impress with lavishness but with sparseness; every word is in its quiet place. And yet the poet still manages to dazzle me with phrases like, “pieces sway/on their curved faces,” and, especially, “the phantom/weight of their better halves.” A skillful poet is at work here.
— C. Wade Bentley, Author
“Pickets” is a mysterious, emotionally raw and evocative poem in which the speaker navigates between real and imaginary worlds, neither of which is straightforwardly positive or negative. In mistaking red flower petals for the blood of a rabbit, the speaker shows us the nightmare possibilities of the imaginary, but it is also the impossible neighbor, the one who isn’t there because “no one lives there anymore,” who offers up some kind of hope at the end of the poem. This poet shows a comfort with paradox and complexity that is at the heart of what poetry does, saying the unsayable with imagery and fresh language to give readers a glimpse of what it’s like to be human.