I have been described by my peers as being passionate, having an upbeat personality, offbeat sense of humor and being easy to work with.
I am a motivated Creative Ideator and Multidisciplinary Design Director who partners with CEOs, advertising managers, and entrepreneurs to grow their brands. Working with a variety of distinguished brands and startups, I am very familiar with what drives conversion in the advertising and design world. It's all about how well you connect with the client and understand their business that makes a successful partnership.
While Design Director at Campbell Ewald, I was challenged with rebranding the Cadillac luxury automotive brand. The Cadillac challenge was an “American icon” that had lost its appeal to younger consumers. The task was to bring Cadillac into a sophisticated luxury market to be more appealing to the up-and-coming car buyers. I incorporated a lavish lifestyle and clean, modern design into beautifully shot vehicles at modern and pristine locations. It is gratifying to see other luxury automotive brands currently mimicking the tone and photography style that I established for Cadillac.
I also led the design team for the Harley-Davidson pitch which was instrumental in winning the account. During my tenure at Campbell Ewald, I helped to win seven new accounts in a little over a year. Accounts that include: Harley-Davidson, Travelocity, IHOP, Clyde May’s whiskey, Covered California, OnStar digital, and Empire State Development.
Design allows me to create things that haven’t existed before and gives me the opportunity to change the way people see the world. My approach to design has always been centered around the concept and with the mindset that award-winning design requires paying close attention to every detail from start to finish. It is an ingrained passion that I look forward to doing every day and there is nothing else I would rather do!
Outside of work, I enjoy taking road trips with my wife, and three daughters and spending time with my furry little buddy named Teddy. My other passion is soccer; I like to think it’s in my DNA. I spend a lot of time playing, watching, and talking about soccer. I strongly believe that staying physically and mentally active is the key to a happier, healthier life. A longer life filled with creating, designing, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Currently – Creative Director, Pixel Advertising + Design, LLC (Freelance)
Creative Circle 360 (Contract for UL Solutions)
Molex (Contract)
2022–2023 – Creative Director, Shinola Detroit (Contract)
Establish creative strategy, brand pillars, budgets and creative campaigns.
Lead/manage In-house Creative Department.
Present, sell and pitch new campaigns and establish strong client relationships.
Direct motion, photography and digital.
2021-2022 – Senior Designer, UL Solutions Creative Studio (Contract)
2021 - Design Director (Interim), Commonwealth//McCann (Freelance)
2018-2020 – Associate Creative Director - Interrupt
Establish creative strategy, brand pillars, budgets & schedules for marketing campaigns across multiple disciplines for various accounts.
Provide creative leadership across all points of the client business and ensure creative work is strategically aligned.
Guide and foster creatives from concept to execution, and inspire the team to push the boundaries of their approach.
Responsible for selling great work and cultivating strong client relationships.
2019 Hanleywood Marketer of the Year Award for MoistureShield Composite Decking Campaign + 6 Eddy Awards
2015-2017 – Design Director at Campbell Ewald
Establish creative strategy, key concepts, brand positioning, budgets & schedules for key design projects across multiple disciplines and categories.
Motivate and influence the creative team to constantly strive for excellence in developing design trends and executing creative concepts.
Motivate and influence the creative team to constantly strive for excellence in developing design trends and executing creative concepts.
Introduced new and innovative methods of design executions through all media channels.
2013-2015 – Design Director - Campbell Ewald, Cadillac Account
Responsible for re-branding Cadillac throughout all channels of communication, including modernizing the Cadillac mark.
2013-2015 – Design Director - Campbell Ewald, Cadillac Account
Responsible for re-branding Cadillac throughout all channels of communication, including modernizing the Cadillac mark.
Focused on digital, print, video, CGI and photographic direction.
Spearheaded all automotive photo shoots and post-production.
Worked with creative teams to direct and influence design strategy, tone and style guide.
Worked with creative teams to direct and influence design strategy, tone and style guide.
Led the Creative on the Cadillac (CRM) Handraiser Management Program (HRMP) which is a data-driven, responsively designed email fulfillment program.
2010-2013 – Associate Design Director – Campbell Ewald, Chevrolet Account
Led creative teams in concept and design.
Oversaw all photographic and retouching with creative and external studios on all Chevy projects.
Modernized the “New” Chevrolet Logo.
Managed and oversaw the design of the CRM Program.
2000-2009 – Vice President, Art Supervisor – Campbell Ewald
Modernized the “New” Chevrolet Logo.
Managed and oversaw the design of the CRM Program.
2000-2009 – Vice President, Art Supervisor – Campbell Ewald
Accounts: Chevrolet, Alltel Wireless, Michelin, Allina Health
Art directed and managed Chevrolet’s Country Music CMA Awards Program.
Worked with some of the biggest country music stars including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Gretchen Wilson, Big and Rich, Sara Evans, Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Dirks Bentley plus more.
Directed and managed Chevrolet’s Fashion Rocks Program working with Condé Nast media group. Worked with some of the industry’s biggest up-and-coming stars including Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Michael Buble, the Pussycat Dolls and music icon Billy Idol.
Art directed, designed and managed Chevrolet’s Rock and Roll Mobile Music Tour, which featured five trailers with Gibson’s limited-edition Corvette guitars and a state-of-the-art performing stage with complete audio and lights capabilities.
Art directed, designed and managed Chevrolet’s NASCAR Race Program. Accomplishments included working with some of Nascar’s biggest stars including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and more.
Art directed and managed an image makeover for Alltel Cellular, including store design, packaging, wall graphic displays and interactive displays. Branded Alltel “U” wireless prepaid unit. Designed the logo and look and feel of photography, brand guidelines and more.
Worked with some of the biggest country music stars including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Gretchen Wilson, Big and Rich, Sara Evans, Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Dirks Bentley plus more.
Directed and managed Chevrolet’s Fashion Rocks Program working with Condé Nast media group. Worked with some of the industry’s biggest up-and-coming stars including Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Michael Buble, the Pussycat Dolls and music icon Billy Idol.
Art directed, designed and managed Chevrolet’s Rock and Roll Mobile Music Tour, which featured five trailers with Gibson’s limited-edition Corvette guitars and a state-of-the-art performing stage with complete audio and lights capabilities.
Art directed, designed and managed Chevrolet’s NASCAR Race Program. Accomplishments included working with some of Nascar’s biggest stars including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and more.
Art directed and managed an image makeover for Alltel Cellular, including store design, packaging, wall graphic displays and interactive displays. Branded Alltel “U” wireless prepaid unit. Designed the logo and look and feel of photography, brand guidelines and more.
Re-branded Allina Health. Designed Corporate logo, Vehicle fleet graphics, signage, ad Campaign and communication materials.
2000 – Senior Art Director – Campbell Ewald
I started my career at Campbell Ewald in Integrated Marketing and Event Tours Group.
Created breakthrough award-winning marketing programs for Chevrolet, Michelin, and Alltel.
Results-driven work including long-form launch kits, beautifully designed direct marketing programs, innovative point-of-purchase and engaging tours and events.
I started my career at Campbell Ewald in Integrated Marketing and Event Tours Group.
Created breakthrough award-winning marketing programs for Chevrolet, Michelin, and Alltel.
Results-driven work including long-form launch kits, beautifully designed direct marketing programs, innovative point-of-purchase and engaging tours and events.
______________________________________________________________________
Education
College for Creative Studies, Detroit
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Major in Graphic Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Major in Graphic Design
Skills
Creativity, Digital Design, Branding, Ideation, Photography, Motion, Retouching, Problem-Solving Ability, Marketing, Print, Basic HTML, Social Media, CRM, Flexibility and Time Management, Technology, Typography and Communication.
Software knowledge
InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma, Word Press, Final Cut Pro X, After Effects, Acrobat Pro, Adobe Audition, Logic Pro X, Bridge, Lightroom, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, Google Slides, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Asana, Wrike, Ziflow and Workfront. Basic knowledge of HTML, and CSS.
Awards
2022 Bronze Clio, Apple Pie Hot Dog Digital Campaign.
Silver D show award (Detroit Advertising Community) Apple Pie Hot Dog Digital Campaign, Best of Experiential/Live Shows, Best of Integrated Campaign, Best of Digital, Best of Public Relations
2019 Hanleywood Marketer of the Year Award for MoistureShield Campaign
The Brand Builder Awards recognize the most innovative and effective marketing campaigns throughout the residential and commercial design and construction industries. Companies selected for recognition have executed campaigns that generate sales, motivate buying behavior and inspire customer loyalty. Companies submitted entries in seven categories, ranging from advertising campaigns to website design to best use of data-driven marketing programs.
- MoistureShield “Defy Ordinary” print ad: Silver Addy
- MoistureShield “Defy the Elements Campaign” print ads: Silver Addy
- MoistureShield Website: Silver Addy
- MoistureShield Still Photography: Silver Addy
- MoistureShield Integrated Advertising Campaign National: Bronze Addy
- MoistureShield “Excel Everyday” print ad: Bronze Addy
The U360 Design Competition (Compelling design paired with sophisticated paper) Cadillac Escalade Catalog
The Mobius Award (Gold) "Chevrolet Rock and Roll Tour campaign"
Best of Multi-media Caddy (Gold) "Michelin Launch campaign"
Bronze Caddy "Chevrolet Rock and Roll Tour"
First Place Target Award "Chevrolet Country Music Program"
First Place Target Awards "Chevrolet Colorado Destination" direct mail brochure
Finalist John Caples International Awards "Trailblazer EXT Direct Mail Program (Consumer Customer Retention)
Graphic Design: USA, American Graphic Design Award "Skip Barber Racing" Class on wheels ad