I am a fully integrated creative director, writer and teacher who believes in the power of creativity to transform business, and make the world a better place.
As Executive Creative Director and Partner, I led the creative transformation and rebranding of Mixtape to a full-service offering and in the first year of joining the company with a full agency team of fewer than 10 people, placed in the Top 5 in Canada at Strategy Magazine’s Small Agency of the Year Awards in 2019.
A passionate driver of not only impactful work but also growth, I was instrumental in securing new business with blue-chip clients including Casper, Boston Pizza, Activision and RE/MAX, making Mixtape one of the fastest-growing businesses in our sector in Canada according to the Business Development Bank of Canada.
As professor at Centennial College’s Advertising Creative & Digital Strategy Graduate Program, I bring the latest insights, trends & technology through a relevant, real-world approach from the creative agency world of today to the creative minds of tomorrow through my passionate delivery of Digital Writing, Digital Presentation and Collaboration.
With 20+ years experience in the digital space at top agencies including Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and Cossette, my work has been recognized at every major award show in Canada (and on CBC’s Age of Persuasion), internationally at the Webbys (where I’m also a judge) and have been shortlisted at the Cannes Lions and the One Show Awards.
In my free time I can be found playing and following the latest from the chess world, creating playlists of obscure electronic bands, coaxing my 13-year-old son to do his homework, and recently completed my first (and quite possibly, last) marathon.
Mixtape agency site can be found here MXTP.ca.
Professional Experience
June 2018 – June 2023 Mixtape
Executive Creative Director & Partner
September 2018 – Present
Digital Writing, Digital Presentation & Collaboration Professor at Centennial College
Jan 2017 – June 2018 KBS
Creative Director
Clients: Church & Dwight, PC Mobile, Steamwhistle and McCain
• Instrumental in guiding creative from strategy to concept to execution across all disciplines
• Cultivate strong client relationships through insightful, innovative work
• A driven leader inspired to motivate and mentor others to produce the best work of their careers
2015 – 2017 TAXI and HUGE
Freelance Writer / Creative Director
Clients: Nike, TELUS, Pfizer, Astro
• Hands-on player-coach at HUGE for the launch of Nike’s upcoming team-running mobile app and TELUS B2B website, as well as leading TV-centered campaigns at TAXI
2014 – 2015 Cossette
Associate Creative Director
Clients: P&G, General Mills, McDonald’s, TELUS, Bayer
• Managed multi-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative digital, mass and CRM campaigns for multiple brands, including Cheerios Effect, Dietainment, and P&G Indoorsmen
• Responsible for the growth and development of 6 direct reports
• Launched my first mobile app ‘O’ through Cossette Labs
• Member of a small senior team on numerous successful business pitches, including Bayer and BMW
2011 – 2014 OgilvyOne
Associate Creative Director
Clients: Unilever, American Express, Cogeco
• Responsible for creative oversight of agency’s biggest brands delivering breakthrough work across digital, TV, radio and DM
• Member of leadership team that helped propel the agency to runner-up at Strategy’s Agency of the Year for the first time ever
2008 – 2011 Mighty / Bensimon Byrne
Sr. Digital Copywriter
Clients: Scotiabank, Hyundai, Microsoft, Wind Mobile
• Digital lead on Scotiabank, winning numerous accolades nationally for breakthrough financial work
• Featured on CBC’s Age of Persuasion for ‘Worst Parking Job Ever’ viral video
2006 – 2008 Arc Worldwide / Leo Burnett
Sr. Digital Copywriter
• Working directly with the global CCO Mark Tutssel, lead writer on the new global LeoBurnett.com website
• Shortlisted for Cannes Cyber Lion in first year in the industry
2004 – 2006 Yahoo! Inc.
Front Page Editor
• Produced and managed editorial and marketing content for premium portal for 1.5 million unique users.
• Cover breaking news with up-to-the-minute content 24/7/365.
• Achieved 11% average click-through rate – highest on worldwide Yahoo! network.
2002 – 2004 Rogers Communications
Content Producer/Flash Designer for Rogers Hi-Speed Internet
Flash designer and columnist for the Geek Report and Game Guru, covering the latest in the tech and gaming industries.
1999 – 2001 ESL Teacher
Tokyo, Japan & Istanbul, Turkey.
Education
A.I. Filmmaking
Curious Refuge – June, 2023
Agile Practices in Project Management
University of Toronto – 2018-2019
Interactive Multimedia Post-Graduate Diploma
Humber College 2001-2002
BA Communication Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University 1995-1999
