EDUCATION
• Northwestern University • Masters of Science • Medill School - Integrated Marketing Communications 2024-2026
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign BFA in Industrial Design
• School of the Art Institute Chicago (SAIC): Digital Design - 2023
SKILLS: Creative direction • Brand Storytelling • In-House Team Leadership • CPG Strategy • Creative & Content Development • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Design Systems • Adobe Creative Suite
EXPERIENCE
STUDIO RED
Founder & Principal, Creative Director Aug 2021 - present
• Independent creative consultancy offering creative direction, content strategy, brand storytelling, and elevating in-house and consumer brand creative.
Select Engagements:
PepsiCo • Creative and Content Director June 2022 - Nov 2022
• Led and managed the creative capability for the in-house creative agency (D3) supporting the Quaker business; creative development, project management, brand strategy, and production of digital and social content.
• Created, launched and directed brand's creative campaigns and assets for Quaker's Ready to Eat Cereals, Snacking, and RTE Bar categories.
• Managed direct reports, account team members, and multiple projects simultaneously, including scopes, timelines, allocation of resources, and a team of creative and production partners.
• Partnered directly with brand directors and producers to develop and bring the creative to life across channels and platforms.
• Collaborated with Quaker's cross-functional agency partners for integration of D3's creative platforms and campaigns.
• Sourced, managed and directed all external creative resources including staffing of copywriters, content/brand strategists, animators, motion graphic artists, editors, videographers and photographers.
The Hershey Company • Creative Director (Contract) April 2020– July 2020
• Elevated creative process and communication to reflect strategic and business objectives for Hershey’s in-house creative team. (C-Sweet)
• Directed and instructed the internal team on C-Sweet’s first campaign video shoot and production processes.
• Sourced, managed and directed all external creative resources including directors, copywriters, animators, motion graphic artists, editors, voiceover talent and producers.
• Introduced, developed and led execution of C-Sweet’s first marketing campaign based on human insight and strategically addressed business issue in unprecedented times, receiving over 15 million views on social media and earned PR across trade publications, internal recognition and bragging rights.
SIMPLE MILLS
Head of Creative Aug 2020 - Aug 2021
• Led and managed the creative capability for Simple Mill's in-house creative and content team.
• Established the vision, mission, and strategy.
• Elevated overall creative process and communication to align with strategic brand goals.
• Established and built an internal and external creative team and creative development process.
• Created in-house team’s organizational structure and goals.
• Sourced, managed and directed all external creative resources including copywriters, digital art directors, content/brand strategists, animators, motion graphic artists, editors, videographers and photographers.
• Directed and managed the corporate brand, portfolio-specific and new product launch creative campaigns and assets across multiple channels including digital, social, print, influencer, in-store, trade show, website, eCommerce, packaging and sales materials.
• Collaborated with cross-functional partners in Brand, Sales, Innovation, and eCommerce.
• Responsible for managing the Creative and Content yearly budget.
• Introduced, developed and led execution of company’s first: Company-wide brand campaign and content, Regenerative Agriculture content and digital assets, Organic Seed Crackers new product launch campaign and content, Sweet Thins new product launch campaign and content.
• Directed and educated internal team on company’s first: Creative AOR pitch, selection process, and creative campaign shoot and production processes.
• Responsible for overall quality of creative work: reviewed, provided direction, and approved all art and copy to ensure they met creative standards, supervised internal team, extended external team and agencies on all creative asset production.
• Developed and implemented creative/strategic brief.• Member of Marketing Leadership Team.
DENTSU MCGARRYBOWEN
Creative Director February 2011 –January 2020
• Led and created brand communication for global clients including Disney, American Express, Clorox, Western Union, Olive Garden. • Member of new business teams.
• Created campaigns, set guidelines and designed graphic standards.
• Collaborated with agency international network on global new business wins for American Express, Clorox brands and Western Union.
• Responsible for overall quality of creative work of team members: reviewed, provided direction, and approved all art and copy to ensure they met creative standards. Supervised team, extended external team and vendors on all creative asset production.
• Directed and led internal brainstorm sessions.
LEO BURNETT
• Vice President Associate Creative Director
• McDonald's, Disney, Coca-Cola/Harry Potter, Lego
BIG MONSTER TOYS, (Formerly Marvin Glass)
• Toy Designer & Inventor
• Fisher-Price, Mattel, Hasbro, Parker Bros.
INDUSTRY EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP
• University of Colorado-Boulder
Advisor and Guest Lecturer Fall 2021
College of Media & Communicatons: Brand Solutions and Strategy
• Loyola University
Guest Lecturer Fall Semester, 2017- 2019
School of Communication: Creative & Strategy
AWARDS
Ravinia Design, Chicago Creative People: Photography, Clio, New York Festival, London International, Print Publication Design Annual, Communication Arts
ACHIEVEMENTS
USA Triathlon National Championship 2018 Qualifier-NY, Olympic Distance Triathlons: Chicago-Second Place,Memphis, Lake Geneva, Galena, NY & WI, Springfield Half Ironman, Steelhead Half Ironman, MI and IronmanNew Zealand