Hi there.
I'm Gordon. A creative innovator who believes the best way to build brand affinity and sell more stuff is to tap into those intrinsic human truths that produce emotional connections between people and the products and services that enrich their lives.
Over the years, I’ve worked for some amazing brands and clients, with some incredibly talented people, at some ground-breaking organizations. I’ve managed creative efforts for traditional, digital, and in-house departments. Leading multi-disciplinary teams and crafting work that’s proven impossible to ignore. Along the way, I’ve earned my fair share of industry accolades, mentored some brilliant talent, and survived the trials and tribulations of winning numerous new business pitches.
Away from the industry, I'm an avid DIYer who enjoys home renovation and landscape design. I currently reside in the metro Atlanta area with my amazing wife, adventurous daughter, and privileged hypoallergenic dog. I'm available for freelance or fractional roles nationwide, as well as remote or close-to-home full-time positions.
Thanks for visiting!
EXPERIENCE
IMAGINARY FRIEND // Metro Atlanta, GA
FOUNDER + CREATIVE DIRECTOR, May 2018 - Present
- Leading a fully remote indie boutique agency focused on project work for early-stage/growth-stage startups and ambitious challenger brands
- Specializing in go-to-market strategy, branding (naming, identity, standards), and marketing (integrated campaigns, broadcast, print, outdoor, digital, social)
- Worked with brands in technology, health + wellness, financial, automotive, travel + tourism, consumer packaged goods, beverages, electronics, non-profits
CARHERO // Miami, FL (remote)
DIRECTOR, CREATIVE LEAD + BOARD MEMBER, December 2019 - October 2022
- Led strategic and creative efforts for the tech-based SaaS startup and online automotive sales business
- Built, managed, and collaborated with a fully remote nine-person in-house team consisting of a digital strategist, project manager, UI/UX designers, graphic designer, copywriter, and production talents
- Oversaw development and design of the brand’s staging and in-beta MVP
- Led internal sales team B2B asset development for onboarding seller agents and dealership groups' inventory
- Instrumental in defining a playbook and approach to securing $5MM in VC seed funding
NATIONWIDE FREELANCE // Suwanee, GA (remote)
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER / WRITER, October 2016 - October 2018
- Assisting agencies and independent clients with new business pitches, introducing new products and services, and growing or re-energizing existing brands.
- Agencies include Huge, Havas, Fitzco, DDB, Energy BBDO, VML, Scout, Wildlife, OH Partners, and PromoSocial
Y&R // Chicago, IL
VP, CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR, May 2013 - October 2016
- Co-creative lead on Hotels.com, Bel Brands, Craftsman, Carfax, TimberTech, and Butterball
- Assisted in adding $13MM+ in annual revenue creatively leading new business pitch wins on Carfax, TimberTech, Lavazza, and Bel Brands portfolio of business
- Turned around a 2-year steady decline in revenue to 31% boost in sales the first year leading Bel Brands' Mini Babybel account
- Named Midwest Creative Agency of the Year by the American Advertising Federation, besting numerous agencies that significantly dwarfed our creative department
- Instrumental in defining the playbook and approach to securing $5MM in seed funding
DDB // Chicago, IL
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR, March 2011 - April 2013
- Co-creative lead on McDonald's working directly under the EVP, CCO for McDonald’s DDB global account
- Managed 12+ multi-disciplinary teams while overseeing the creation, execution, and post-production of work across social, digital, and traditional mediums
- Led creative efforts to reach the largest annual revenue earnings in McDonald’s history, with the highest sales ever for LTO and Dollar Menu products over a 5-year period.
- Created effective/award-winning work stretching on accounts including Bud Light, State Farm
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR, July 2006 - March 2011
- Led upwards of 5 teams on individual projects under the DDB Chicago portfolio of brands
- Produced a myriad of industry publications recognized and effective/award-winning work for agency accounts while stretching on brands overseen by sister agencies
- Accounts include State Farm, McDonald’s, McCafé, Anheuser-Busch, Barilla, The Field Museum, Wrigley, Capital One, Cars.com, Safeway, Volkswagen, Unilever Brands
CRAMER KRASSELT // Phoenix, AZ
SR. ART DIRECTOR, December 2003 - July 2006
- Accounts include MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Valley Toyota Dealers, Crystal Springs, SRP, Corona
DIZINNO THOMPSON // San Diego, CA
FREELANCE ART DIRECTOR, October 2003 - December 2003
- Accounts include Marchese + Partners, San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
COLE HENDERSON DRAKE // Atlanta, GA
ART DIRECTOR, August 2002 - September 2003
- Accounts include Nascar.com, Mauna Lani Hotel and Resort, Delta Apparel, Athens First Bank and Trust Co.
MERING CARSON HOLDINGS // Sacramento, CA
ART DIRECTOR, April 2000 - August 2002
- Accounts include AirTouch Cellular, Amtrak, California Forestry Association, California Tourism, California State Fair, Sutter Health Hospitals, Sierra-At-Tahoe Resort
EDUCATION
Portfolio Center // Atlanta, GA
Communications/Art Direction, Brand + Marketing
IMAGINARY FRIEND // Metro Atlanta, GA
FOUNDER + CREATIVE DIRECTOR, May 2018 - Present
- Leading a fully remote indie boutique agency focused on project work for early-stage/growth-stage startups and ambitious challenger brands
- Specializing in go-to-market strategy, branding (naming, identity, standards), and marketing (integrated campaigns, broadcast, print, outdoor, digital, social)
- Worked with brands in technology, health + wellness, financial, automotive, travel + tourism, consumer packaged goods, beverages, electronics, non-profits
CARHERO // Miami, FL (remote)
DIRECTOR, CREATIVE LEAD + BOARD MEMBER, December 2019 - October 2022
- Led strategic and creative efforts for the tech-based SaaS startup and online automotive sales business
- Built, managed, and collaborated with a fully remote nine-person in-house team consisting of a digital strategist, project manager, UI/UX designers, graphic designer, copywriter, and production talents
- Oversaw development and design of the brand’s staging and in-beta MVP
- Led internal sales team B2B asset development for onboarding seller agents and dealership groups' inventory
- Instrumental in defining a playbook and approach to securing $5MM in VC seed funding
NATIONWIDE FREELANCE // Suwanee, GA (remote)
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER / WRITER, October 2016 - October 2018
- Assisting agencies and independent clients with new business pitches, introducing new products and services, and growing or re-energizing existing brands.
- Agencies include Huge, Havas, Fitzco, DDB, Energy BBDO, VML, Scout, Wildlife, OH Partners, and PromoSocial
Y&R // Chicago, IL
VP, CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR, May 2013 - October 2016
- Co-creative lead on Hotels.com, Bel Brands, Craftsman, Carfax, TimberTech, and Butterball
- Assisted in adding $13MM+ in annual revenue creatively leading new business pitch wins on Carfax, TimberTech, Lavazza, and Bel Brands portfolio of business
- Turned around a 2-year steady decline in revenue to 31% boost in sales the first year leading Bel Brands' Mini Babybel account
- Named Midwest Creative Agency of the Year by the American Advertising Federation, besting numerous agencies that significantly dwarfed our creative department
- Instrumental in defining the playbook and approach to securing $5MM in seed funding
DDB // Chicago, IL
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR, March 2011 - April 2013
- Co-creative lead on McDonald's working directly under the EVP, CCO for McDonald’s DDB global account
- Managed 12+ multi-disciplinary teams while overseeing the creation, execution, and post-production of work across social, digital, and traditional mediums
- Led creative efforts to reach the largest annual revenue earnings in McDonald’s history, with the highest sales ever for LTO and Dollar Menu products over a 5-year period.
- Created effective/award-winning work stretching on accounts including Bud Light, State Farm
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR, July 2006 - March 2011
- Led upwards of 5 teams on individual projects under the DDB Chicago portfolio of brands
- Produced a myriad of industry publications recognized and effective/award-winning work for agency accounts while stretching on brands overseen by sister agencies
- Accounts include State Farm, McDonald’s, McCafé, Anheuser-Busch, Barilla, The Field Museum, Wrigley, Capital One, Cars.com, Safeway, Volkswagen, Unilever Brands
CRAMER KRASSELT // Phoenix, AZ
SR. ART DIRECTOR, December 2003 - July 2006
- Accounts include MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Valley Toyota Dealers, Crystal Springs, SRP, Corona
DIZINNO THOMPSON // San Diego, CA
FREELANCE ART DIRECTOR, October 2003 - December 2003
- Accounts include Marchese + Partners, San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
COLE HENDERSON DRAKE // Atlanta, GA
ART DIRECTOR, August 2002 - September 2003
- Accounts include Nascar.com, Mauna Lani Hotel and Resort, Delta Apparel, Athens First Bank and Trust Co.
MERING CARSON HOLDINGS // Sacramento, CA
ART DIRECTOR, April 2000 - August 2002
- Accounts include AirTouch Cellular, Amtrak, California Forestry Association, California Tourism, California State Fair, Sutter Health Hospitals, Sierra-At-Tahoe Resort
EDUCATION
Portfolio Center // Atlanta, GA
Communications/Art Direction, Brand + Marketing
University of North Georgia (UNG) // Dahlonega, GA
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Minor in Marketing
AWARDS
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Minor in Marketing
AWARDS
