> Named one of the top 10 copywriters in the world by Ad Age, and one of the 25 most creative people in advertising by Business Insider.
BAD EXPERIENCE
On a shoot, the director’s business partner offered to take me up in his Russian MIG. My motion sickness notwithstanding, it’s a fighter jet, how could I say no? After a few "tricks" with Top Gun playing in my helmet, I lost my lunch. Months later the pilot, having subsequently been jailed for embezzlement, admitted he never had a pilot’s license. I lost my lunch again.
GOOD EXPERIENCE
2019 to now > Chief Creative Officer / Partner at Luquire, Charlotte NC
Leading the evolution of the agency’s creative efforts
Member of the Executive Leadership Team, directing the agency’s overall growth and prosperity
2011 to 2019 > SVP, Integrated Group Creative Director at Leo Burnett, Troy MI
Providing direction, mentorship and inspiration for up to 30 Creatives
Partnering with the agency's top account and planning leads to provide strategic leadership
Managing the departmental and creative integration of traditional, digital and social media
Clients include the NCAA, General Motors, Envo Water, Alchemy Goods
>> Notable Mentions <<
Named one of the top 10 Copywriters in the world by AdAge's CREATIVITY
Named one of the 25 most creative people in advertising by Business Insider
Profiled in Adweek's "The Givers" > #10 on the list
Named a Leo Burnett Worldwide network All-Star
Won the pitch for the NCAA
Responsible for the successful rebranding and relaunching of GM's Certified Service division
Two-time New York Festivals Grand Jury member
One Show Print Jury member
Won multiple awards including Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Effies, and Shortys
1998 to 2011 > VP, Group Creative Director at Doner, Southfield MI
Managed a group of eighteen people on some of the agency's biggest accounts
Provided creative and strategic leadership on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Expedia, U.S Cellular, Harman Kardon, Price Pfister, Kwikset, Dutch Boy, Eureka
Other client experience includes UPS Stores, Minute Maid, Blockbuster, B.F. Goodrich, PetSmart, Arby’s, Circuit City, Coca-Cola
>> Notable Mentions <<
Became one of the youngest Creative Directors in the agency's 70-year history
Won eight pitches: Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Eureka, Choice Hotels, Price Pfister, Kwikset, Great Wolf Lodge social media, Wilson Tennis
Launched Amazon Kindle
Managed the growth of U.S. Cellular over six years, launching in five new markets and doubling in agency revenue
Rebranded and relaunched Dutch Boy, reversing a seven-year sales decline
Rebranded and relaunched Krylon, winning category leadership within 12 months
Branded and launched two new Eureka products
Rebranded and relaunched Expedia, reestablishing category dominance
Won multiple awards including the One Show, London International, and Clios
1995 to 1998 > Copywriter at JWT, Detroit MI
Worked on Ford National and Ford Racing
AWARDS
CANNES >> 2 Gold > 1 Silver > 4 Bronze
D&AD >> 1 Pencil Slice
ONE SHOW >> 1 Silver > 2 Merit
CLIOS >> 1 Gold Facebook Special Honor > 1 Gold > 4 Silver
SHORTY AWARDS >> Best Twitter Campaign of the Year
EPICA AWARDS >> Epica d'Or - Best of Interactive
ANDYS >> 1 Gold
LONDON INTERNATIONAL >> 1 Gold > 3 Silver > 1 Bronze
NEW YORK FESTIVALS >> 1 Gold > 3 Silver > 2 Bronze
EFFIES >> 3 Gold
ADDY >> Best of Category, Radio
ADS OF THE WORLD >> Best Online of the Month
HOW MAGAZINE >> Self Promotion
ADWEEK >> Media Plan of the Year
VISTA AWARD >> Most Effective Electronics Campaign of the Year
EDUCATION
BA in Design from the College for Creative Studies > Graduated with Honors
PERSONAL
Though I've never wanted my own cat, I have always wanted my own app. So my partner and I created the ZodiaCat app – thezodiacatapp.com – personalized horoscopes for cats. Available on the App Store, ZodiaCat has been profiled by numerous outlets from Trend Hunter to Refinery29.