Freelance Creative Director + Art Director + Writer Oct 2015 – Present
From Fortune 500’s to tiny startups, I help brands connect to their audience with unique and impactful solutions by way of human truths, strategic thinking, and provocative storytelling no matter what medium their story needs to be told. As a Creative Director, I am, at heart, an art director and design enthusiast. And, over the years, have honed my writing skills to help contribute to the entire creative process, from television and short form video scripts to social content and working with strategists on creating insightful briefs. Whether as art director, writer, content director, or guiding design, I thrive on the details that elevate the process and push the creative output to its highest level, ensuring excellence from ideation through production, from social content to show-stopping Super Bowl commercials.
My experiences have allowed me to create a wide range of work in numerous mediums as well as helping to win new business for a diverse group of agencies and creators, including Digitas, Havas, BBH Sport, Leo Burnett, HighDive, FCB, Cramer / Krasselt, Laughlin Constable, Social Deviant, VMLY&R, Braze, Edelman, Golin, OKRP, Chop & Hue, and The Martin Agency.
VP + Creative Director of branded content @ The Onion, Chicago: April 2014 – October 2015
Built and managed a highly effective creative department from the ground up. Established streamlined processes that fostered agility, efficiencies, and breakthrough creative content at the speed of culture. Merged media and creativity for this legendary comedy publication, leading a talented team of writers, art directors, designers, post-production artists, producers, and digital artists. Collaborated between The Onion sales team and numerous clients, ad agencies, and in-house marketing teams to deliver compelling and comedically charged branded content to fulfill their creative needs. The result was a seamless integration of humor, visual appeal, and strategic thinking that resonated with audiences and achieved remarkable results.
VP + Creative Director @ Energy BBDO, Chicago: June 2012 – Nov. 2013
Led global creative for Lay's potato chips, Kettle Chips and Sun Chips brands, inspiring teams to insight driven creative platforms, that led to 360 execution in traditional and digital platforms. While not devouring bags of chips I lead new business pitches, including the win of Pearl Vision and Tropicana.
Associate Creative Director @ Goodby / Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco: Oct. 2010 – Oct. 2011
Championed a highly talented team of art directors, writers, and designers in revitalizing the iconic Chevy Silverado brand. Fostered strong relationships with the head of the brand and business, empowering breakthrough work that drove business growth and earned industry recognition. Secured a top 10 Super Bowl spot within the first six months of leading the account. Continued creative efforts in traditional and digital arenas affirmed our work’s ability to capture the hearts and minds of audiences and cemented our campaign's creative impact by propelling the Chevy Silverado to new heights of awareness.
VP + Creative Director @ DDB, Chicago: Nov. 1997 - Aug. 2010
Led and mentored a high-performing team of writers and art directors in the development of diverse and impactful, comedy-driven, campaigns across traditional and digital platforms for the Bud Light account. Earned back-to-back Cannes Grand Prix wins for the legendary ‘Real Men of Genius’ radio campaign. Repeatedly achieved consecutive victories in the highly competitive Super Bowl ad meters. Helped launch Bud Light Lime, leading to one of the most successful releases by volume for Anheuser Busch / InBev. Consistently contributed to the creative output for other agency clients including Budweiser, McDonald's, State Farm, and countless new business pitches.
CLIENTS
Air BnB • Bud Light • Wilson Sports • McDonald’s • Partnership For A Drug Free America • Lending Tree • Fan Duel • Burger King • Tito's Vodka • Budweiser • Illinois State Lottery • KFC • H&R Block Capital One • Dollar General Literacy Foundation • Cars.Com • Frito Lay • SC Johnson • Wrigley • Pearle Vision • Quaker Foods • Chevrolet • Dickies Brand Apparel • Bacardi • National Ski Patrol • IBM Lutheran Medical Center • The Brown Palace Hotel • Heineken • Hormel Foods • Overstock.com • Lowenbrau • Sears • Funyuns • Denny's • King's Hawaiian • Honda • Michigan State Lottery • etc
RECOGNITION
2006 & 2007 Cannes Radio Grand Prix • Cannes Gold / Silver / Bronze • Clio’s • ADC • 2010 Emmy Nomination • A.I.C.P. • Communication Arts • Radio Mercury • One Show South London International Radio Grand Prix • New York Film Festival
JURIES
2019 Cincinnati Addys • 2013 & 2017 Philidelphia ADC • 2010 Clio’s • 2007 + 2008 + 2010 Radio Mercury Awards • 2008 Toronto A&D • 2006 Milwaukee Addy’s • 2005 Houston Addys
