What makes a great advertising concept isn't the "cool" tactics, it's the story the tactics tell. I'm a storyteller. I specialize in identifying insights that help brands tell their stories better. I can help shape a brand, but I can also adapt to an established brand voice. I pride myself on my ability to view words through the eyes of an art director, and I'm equally comfortable presenting to clients or mentoring junior creatives. I believe teamwork does, in fact, "make the dream work,” and I have this silly desire to continue to grow and contribute to the ultimate success of the company and clients I work with. In related news, I think it's perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition.
Experience
Associate Creative Director / Copywriter at Freelance
April 2010 – Present Chicago, IL
I’ve contracted at Havas, Merge, Paco Collective, Trisect, The Designory, 88 Partners and Ryan Partnership. I’ve created content for Advocate Health Care, Chase Manhattan Bank, Cintas, Citibank, ComEd, DeVry University, Discover Card, and others
Associate Creative Director at VML, Inc.
May 2014 – January 2018 Chicago, IL
Created tone of voice and produced editorial and video content for Ford and Tyson Foods, developed sporting event sponsorships and seasonal retail campaigns complete with video, social media, website, email and banner ad support across clients. Responsibilities included reviewing projects for final approval and release.
Senior Copywriter at Havas
May 2010 – May 2014 Chicago, IL
I helped create the final Blockbuster campaign and wrote the tagline: Less Waiting. More Watching. I also produced multiple direct-mail and out-of-home campaigns for Citibank.
Copywriter at Critical Mass
December 2013 – December 2014 Chicago, IL
I wrote for the AT&T customer website in an agile process. I also developed content for the Hewlett Packard retail website. I was responsible for providing copy that improved the user experience.
Copywriter at SapientRazorfish
May 2008 – April 2010 Chicago, IL
Created and developed website concepts for multiple Kraft Foods products, including cross-promotional sponsorships with NASCAR, Susan G. Komen, and the Super Bowl. Created AT&T promotional display campaigns.
Education
BS in Copywriting at Chicago Portfolio School
2005 – 2006 Chicago, IL
I had been working in media at Starcom and became increasingly drawn to the creative side of the biz. After trying my hand at sales and quickly realizing it wasn’t for me, I decided to pursue my passion, and enrolled at CPS.
BA Communications and Marketing at University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
1992 – 1997 Green Bay, WI
Awards
Great Advice, Miss Cleo
I gave great advice when a co-worker was in a real relationship jam
Lion, Lincoln Park Zoo
I’ve tried to pet one at the zoo, but got tackled by security, which sucked because I was holding a brand new snow cone.