GENERAL INFO
Creative Director / Art Director / Content Creator / Located Globally
As a creative leader, I have a proven record of steering creativity, developing effective strategies, and maximizing the potential of team members. I possess extensive experience in working with highly successful brands, utilizing various forms of communication such as television, social media, digital platforms, print media, and experiential marketing.
EXPERIENCE
Creative Director / Hello Cohen & Thinking 101
Miami / New York / LA / Phoenix / Everywhere / Apr 2012 - Present
Freelance for a wide range of agencies, including VaynerMedia, Grey, Ogilvy, Arnold, McKinney, VML, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Havas, Edelman, FitzCo, Cheil, Moon Rabbit, The Grist, Dagger, Chemistry, KSV Digital, Invisible North, Momentum, Lewis Communications, Victors & Spoils, Red Square Gaming, Zubi, Tierney, Zimmerman, MRY, Red Communication Group (Moscow), Tattoo Projects, Markham Unlimited, Area 23, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness, TheBloc, Klick!, and many more award-winning firms.
BRANDS: Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, TD Bank, Sonic Drive-In, Checkers/Rally’s, Lilly, American Express, Jif Peanut Butter, Kit Kat, BNY Mellon, FTI Defence, Oriental Bank, Kodak, Maxwell House, Biofreeze, Skyy Vodka, Hard Rock Hotels, DISH, Belk Department Stores, CenturyLink, Mass Save, Air Wick, and Finish Quantum, among others. Also contributed to campaigns for pharma, wellness, and healthcare brands.
Adjunct Professor: Design III (Integrated Marketing) / Grand Canyon University (College of Arts & Media)
Phoenix / Sep 2024 - Present
Corrupting the youth of advertising – Teaching Design III (Integrated Marketing for Art Directors and Graphic Designers)
Executive Creative Director / Mercedes-Benz (Torque Creative)
Montvale / Jul 2011 - Apr 2012
Led the conception and execution of multi-channel, integrated advertising campaigns, managing and mentoring a diverse team of creatives (including over 40 freelancers with solid and dotted-line reporting). Oversaw daily creative output, provided agency-wide thought leadership, and maintained strong client relationships.
Key accomplishments included re-launching Sprinter Commercial Vehicles for both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner, resulting in a 30.7% sales increase within the first six months of 2012. Additionally, revitalized Mercedes-Benz’s After Sales Department (Service, Parts & Accessories) and the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
Successfully led the agency to win its first-ever integrated national branding effort for Mercedes-Benz’s Service and After Sales Market through Germany, beating out competing global agencies.
Partner, Executive Creative Director / Cohen & Company Creative, Inc.
Hollywood / Feb 2003 - May 2008
Oversaw all creative and strategic direction, leading the agency to be recognized as one of South Florida's largest. Successfully grew revenue from just over $20 million to more than $40 million within a few years.
BRANDS: Advantage Rent-A-Car, Champion-Lyte Sports Drink, Lennar Homes, Orange Bowl Committee, Sweet'N Low Flavored Syrup, and many, many more.
ACD, Art Director / Harris Drury Cohen (HDC)
Ft. Lauderdale / Jul 2002 - Feb 2003
My primary responsibility, alongside my copywriting partner, Christopher Cannon, was to lead new initiatives to strengthen existing client relationships while pursuing new business opportunities.
I worked across all integrated channels, including TV, print, radio, digital, out-of-home, direct marketing, CRM, and collateral.
BRANDS: Alabama Power, Almond Resorts, Florida Marlins, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Hershey, Sea-Doo Watercrafts
ACD, Art Director / Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners
San Francisco / Aug 1999 - Mar 2001
Developed and managed creative campaigns for brands, including Bigvine.com, Blimpie Subs, Cellmania.com, IHOP, PeopleSoft, and Schmaltz Brewery.
Led an integrated media blitz for Blimpie Subs, featuring StarKist’s Charlie the Tuna.
OTHER BRANDS: Metricom (Ricochet), Mother’s Cookies, Offroad Capital, wine.com
Art Director / Lowe and Partners/SMS
New York / May 1997 - Aug 1998
My first job in NYC was pretty exciting—I got to work with heavyweights like Gary Goldsmith and Lee Garfinkle, creating campaigns for the agency’s clients.
BRANDS: Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Smirnoff, Heineken/Amstel Light, Club Med, Denny’s, Diet Coke, Eddie Bauer, KPMG, Major League Baseball, Oral B/Braun, Perdue Farms
Art Director / Hill, Holliday
Boston / Jan 1996 - Jan 1997
Fresh out of The Miami Ad School, I was recruited by Fred Bertino to develop creative work for the agency’s clients—and I also had the privilege of working for the great Ernie Schenck.
BRANDS: AutoNation USA, BankBoston, Harvard Pilgrim, Labatt Brewing, Partners Healthcare, Sony, Spalding (Top-Flite Golf), Wall Street Journal
EDUCATION
Creative Branding, Art Direction, & Copywriting / Miami Ad School
Miami Beach / Jan 1994 - Dec 1995
BA in Communications (Journalism/Advertising) / University of Central Florida
Orlando / Jan 1992 - Dec 1993