Things I've done
Freelance copywriter & creative director (Aug 2018 - present)
AGENCIES: 26FIVE, Allstate (in house), A-Z Learning, Bandwagon, DVK Marketing, Edelman, EG+, Escape Pod, FCB, Fingerpaint, Gertrude Agency, Match Marketing Group, Paco Collective, Paul Earle & Co, Simon-Myers, Waymack & Crew
CLIENTS: Aiken SC, Allstate, American Adventure Insurance, Bic, Boeing, Chicago Bears, Clearwater FL, Cooper's Hawk Winery, DeVry University, Dremel*, Hostess*, Huntington Bank*, JUUL, Merrick, Minute Maid, Hammermill, Healthy Choice, Orville Redenbacher, PepsiCo, PUMA, Revv Aviation, Schneider Electric, Starved Rock Wood Products, Tangled Roots Brewery & Restaurants, University of Arkansas Medical System
* Successful pitches
Global client trainer (September 2015 - present)
I develop, design & deliver workshops on creative evaluation, brief writing & fostering better client/agency relationships.
CLIENTS: Allstate, Altria, Delta Faucet. Kellogg's Latin America, Kellogg's North America, Kraft, Leo Burnett, LinkedIn, Pfizer Asia, Pfizer Europe, Philip Morris International, Tyson Foods
Instructor @ Miami Ad School (June 2023 - present)
I develop curriculum, instruct wold-be art directors & copywriters as well as mentor students. Topics covered include concepts, copywriting, headlines, insights, briefs & strategy.
Instructor @ Chicago Portfolio School (June 2007 - January 2022)
I instructed & mentored young creatives, teaching them about advertising concepts, copywriting, headline writing, tagline writing, how to develop insights & the finer points of being an advertising creative.
SVP creative director @ Leo Burnett Chicago (October 2001 - August 2018)
CLIENTS: Altoids, Commonwealth Edison, DeVry University, IQOS, L&M, Marlboro, McDonald's, Nintendo, Samsung, US Army, Verve, Virginia Slims, Walmart
Freelance copywriter (September 1995 - September 2001)
AGENCIES: Euro RSCG, TBWA Tequila, OgilvyOne, CHJS, Billington Cartmell, A&L
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CLIENTS: Acer, Coca-Cola, Conqueror, Disney, L'Oreal, Microsoft, Nikon, Orange Telecomms, Peugeot, SmithKline Beecham, Sony, Sky TV, The Guardian, Virgin Atlantic, Texas Instruments
Journalist in Guadalajara, Mexico (July 1992 - August 1995)
I reported on news events for various newspapers as well as writing features on music, art & cultural happenings for various magazines.
Things I've won
Cannes Lions 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
Clios 1 Hall of Fame, 1 grand, 2 silver, 1 bronze
One Show 1 silver, 1 bronze
Andys 1 gold, 3 silvers
London International 1 bronze
Art Directors' Club 2 silver
NY Festivals 2 gold
Kinsale 1 gold, 1 bronze
Addys 4 gold, 2 silver
Obies 1 best in show, 4 gold
Tellys 1 bronze
Chicago Creative Club 1 best in show, 6 bricks