SKILLS

Gleaning original insights from culture, trends, and data; turning research findings into actionable recommendations; conducting qualitative/quantitative research including vendor management; concise writing and presenting; creative briefs and direction; brand and campaign positioning.

EXPERIENCE

Outerface℠, January 2024 to present

Co-founder of a branding and design studio.

Freelance Brand & Creative Strategist, November 2022 to January 2024

Wunderman Thompson - U.S. Marine Corps.; Madden Media - travel & tourism.

AMP Agency, April 2019 to October 2022

Group Director, Head of Brand & Creative Strategy (promoted from Director in 2021)

Developed and led the national brand & creative strategy practice within the strategy department. Managed a team of five. Launched Maruchan’s first integrated U.S. brand campaign (224% increase in product searches; 188% increase in “Where to Buy” website traffic); spearheaded a multi-agency advisory board for Stop & Shop during the pandemic and oversaw creative strategy (11.4K digital ad placements across 24 digital partners and 1.8K unique creative assets in 2021); conducted numerous strategy projects for a variety of brands and new business pitches.

Digitas North America, June 2014 to April 2019

Associate Director, Creative Strategy (promoted from Manager in 2017)

Positioned Goodyear’s new D2C offering, the first from a global tire manufacturer and a major change to entrenched consumer behavior (D2C revenue increased by 600% in two years); introduced Goodyear to opportunities with the Hispanic market; explored the psyches of college football fans for Goodyear’s Cotton Bowl sponsorship; enticed consumers with Bank of America’s new P2P payment capability and chatbot (app usage increased from 22MM to 24MM in six months); advised Bank of America on fluctuating brand health; positioned Merrill Edge’s self-directed online investing service; alerted Bank of America to opportunities with the growing freelance workforce.

Allen & Gerritsen, March 2011 to May 2014

Brand Strategist

Launched Blue Cross Blue Shield’s brand campaign in a shifting healthcare landscape; uncovered overlapping mindsets of parents and kids for Toy State; differentiated Papa Gino’s in a commoditized pizza industry; redesigned sandwich chain D’Angelo’s menu-board; guided Boston’s Museum of Science in adapting to demographic changes; positioned Raymond's (a division of Toyota Industries Corporation) first automated pallet truck amidst sensitivity regarding factory worker displacement.

Pre-advertising career, 2003 to 2011

Began as a federal investigator with national security clearance interviewing criminal offenders and advising judges on sentencing. Then transitioned to a boutique law firm as a trial attorney. Eventually opened a solo law practice counseling startups like Karmaloop, an online streetwear retailer, and managing an independent singer/songwriter, including negotiating a contract with MTV. Founded a T-shirt company and exited through a trademark licensing deal with the clothing label True Religion. Freelanced for creative agencies to discover and work my way into strategy.

EDUCATION

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, Bachelor of Arts, Major: Political Science; Minor: Philosophy

Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA, Juris Doctor