Why did I write those words?
Why have I let them propel me and define my work?
Because no one’s fortune is changed by simply showing up. Greatness is not a door prize. To climb to the top of the mountain you must dig deeper and work harder than you’re supposed to. Doing extraordinary work is a process — one that requires you to sharpen your pencil and then wear it down to a nub. And then sharpen another one. It requires passion, persistence, resiliency, and no small amount of talent. If great work was easy everyone would do it, and we know that everyone can’t and doesn’t.
ABOUT ME
I am an idea maker. I have worked at, and led, some of the most respected and admired creative agencies in America, including: BBH/New York, Fallon/New York, Riney/San Francisco, and Cliff Freeman & Partners.
Throughout my career I have been recognized and awarded for creative excellence, creative innovation, and creative leadership around the world. I have worked with many of the world’s great brands using creativity to persuade, innovate, inspire, tell stories, and solve problems.
With my leadership, agencies forged into new and uncharted creative territories including: a five-episode television series on MTV for Unilever’s AXE called, “The Gamekillers.” A first-of-its-kind YouTube sensation for Diageo’s Smirnoff Raw Tea called, “Tea Partay.” And the innovative launch for Warner Brothers Music of a new Oasis album, “Dig Out Your Soul,” via street musicians on the streets of New York City.
During this time I won every major creative award around the globe many times over, including awards for innovation like: the Cannes Titanium Lion; four AICP NEXT Awards; The Grand Andy Award (The Grandy); the first-ever AAAA’s O’Toole Box Award; three Yahoo ‘Big Idea’ Purple Chairs; and many others.
I am also a copywriter and, as such, have been recognized for creative excellence throughout my career — twice being ranked in the top three of Boards magazine’s “Top 10 Copywriters Worldwide” list. In addition, as a copywriter I have won almost every major creative award in the world many times over.
In fact, I am the only person in advertising history to win The One Show's "Best of Show" award, twice.
My work is included in the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) permanent collection.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As a creative leader in the industry, for six years I was Chairman of the Board of the One Club for Art & Copy — and sat on the Board as an active member for more than a decade.
The One Club is an international non-profit organization that exists to champion and promote excellence in advertising and design in all its forms. Further, it exists to educate and inspire students of the business and to benefit the next generation of creative thinkers through scholarships, portfolio reviews, and annual student exhibitions and competitions.
-
Helped lead the creation and development of a one-hour television series on MTV for Unilever's AXE called, "The Gamekillers."
-
Helped lead the innovative launch of a new Oasis album, “Dig Out Your Soul,” via street musicians on the streets of New York.
-
My work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
-
Twice named in the top 3 of Boards magazine’s “Top 10 Copywriters Worldwide.”
-
Once named in Boards magazine’s “Top 10 Creative Directors Worldwide.”
-
Named to Creativity magazine’s “Creative 50: The Most Creative People.”
-
Featured in the book, “The Creative Process Illustrated.”
-
Featured in the book, “The Idea Writers.”
-
Featured in the book, “How 30 Great Ads Were Made.”
-
Featured in the book, “Brand Apart.”
-
Contributed to the book, “My First Time.”
-
Contributed to the book, “Breaking In.”
-
Three times represented the U.S. as a judge at the Cannes Film Festival for Advertising.
-
Chairman of the Board of The One Club for Art & Copy (6 years).
-
Member of the Board of Directors of The One Club for Art & Copy (11 years).
-
The only person in advertising history to win The One Show’s “Best of Show” award, twice (The One Show is advertising's equivalent to the Academy Awards).
