Copywriter.
Creative director.
UX/UI, content, and site builder.
Creative handyman.
Problem solver and untangler.

I fell in love with advertising when I was 13, when now classic ads for Wendy’s and Fedex were playing on TV. My squishy 13-year-old brain somehow figured out somebody got paid to make those things. As an insanely curious reader, writer, artist, it was my path I followed through college, then through to a 25+ year career building B2C and B2B brands at fantastic agencies like mcgarrybowen (now Dentsu), Mullen (now Mullen/Lowe), and T3 (bought and integrated into Material). I even went freelance by choice for a few years.

As my friend and mentor John Wolfarth posits, there’s two words in the title Creative Director. I’ve always been the first, and learned on the job how to be the second. Brands are fascinating, living and moldable things, much like my creative and strategic colleagues I’ve partnered with to build the stuff below, and a lot more that just doesn’t fit here.

What my collaborators and clients say:

“Chris is a leader and a doer, unafraid of hard work. He’s got a hunger to learn, despite already being a master of his craft.”

Leslie Harris, UX/Product Designer

“Chris makes you want to be the best version of yourself. He delivers amazing thinking at a speed that puts you in awe. His ability to pull people in and get them to believe is legendary. ”

Marshall Wright, Strategist
(T3, Capital One)

“He crosses categories with ease, communicates with clarity and authority, is a master managing clients and making his digital solutions meaningful to the business. Practical, passionate, and a boundless source of positive energy. ”

Bill Borrelle, Chief Marketing Officer
(Pitney Bowes, mcgarrybowen)

“A guide, a checkpoint, a safety and a constant motivator. Most people will laud his clever, creative ideas and talent as a writer and a big-sky thinker. But it’s his uncanny ability to be both a teacher and a student that really sticks with me. A rare breed of genius and genuineness.”

Sarah Hoffman, Brand/Social Strategist

“I loved working with Chris and his team on a series of projects at Atlassian. In the creative world, good works usually result from profound insights, clear communication, and close collaboration. But great works are made possible by humble leaders who genuinely care about customer problems, lead with empathy, and craft intelligent solutions.”

Dorin Shen, Product Manager & former client
(Atlassian)

“There’s no potential that remains untapped in a team directed by Chris. His talent is clear in his writing, which inspires people in ways I’ve never seen. ”

Nicole Chavez, Product Designer
(T3, McKinsey)

“There are plenty of creative directors out there who are good at their craft. There are far fewer who are good at leading a team. Chris is one of the few who is both. ”

John Wolfarth, EVP Creative Director
(Hill Holliday, Mullen)

“Chris is the rare blend of creative: truly responsible and accountable for his work while at the same time one of the best copywriters I've worked with. Creative without the ego. One of the top five creatives I’ve worked with.”

Alyson Magliozzi, Director of Marketing Operations
(Converse, Mullen)

“Chris completely lacks the “too cool for school” attitude that’s often the toll we have to pay for working with a creative heavyweight. The man genuinely loves what he does. He’s a positive force to be around. As his partner, he makes you better. But he does so in a way that’s kind. A truly rare talent.”

Alina Sokolowsky, Brand Strategist
(Diageo, mcgarrybowen)

“Chris is a great leader because he understands and can advise on ALL of the necessary aspects of great digital: brand, function, delight, social. He can craft beautiful copy, and his seemingly effortless presentation style that leaves clients and internal teams trusting that he knows what he's doing.”

Erin Young, Founder of Slide UX


Brands I’ve produced work for:

 

Agencies at which I’ve been a Creative Director:

I can do this stuff for days:

  • Copywriting

    We’re in the business of persuasion. My copywriting nudges people to consider or reconsider brands. From everyday hard-working content up to inspiring expressions, I can move people (and metrics). Concepts, video, social, content, CRM — the gamut. Nimble, powerful, and resonant work.

  • Creative direction

    Leadership is more than judging work. I’ve learned how to inspire and rally people to generate, expand, and defend great ideas. I help teams — creatives and others — find their storylines and express them with confidence and success. Let’s figure it out.

  • Pitch leader

    For 20+ years, I’ve led organic and new business pitches for A-list agencies. From outlining themes and narratives through to presenting work and earning client confidence, my pitches have generated over $200MM in wins at my agencies. I’ve got a plan.

  • Content, UX/UI strategist

    I’ve built digital experiences for brands as varied as the American Medical Association to Torchy’s Tacos. Along the way, I’ve been a hybrid content strategist, UX/UI and component designer, information architect, and writer.