Resume (Click for Downloadable Version)
CareRev
Remote // July 2022 > December 2023
DIRECTOR of creative services
A tech startup in the healthcare industry, specializing in revolutionizing the flexible workforce model. I reported to the Director of Marketing and Chief Strategy Officer.
Developed a brand position that shapes the brand internally and externally to both our key audiences (healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals) followed by leading a full rebrand of the company.
Drove $9MM in closed-won deals with 107% increase in B2B leads through successful digital campaigns.
Generated 189% more MQLs through dynamic digital campaigns, surpassing B2B/B2C targets and driving business success.
Directed and motivated a team of seasoned art directors, copywriters, designers and other creative professionals to help them achieve their fullest potential.
Developed and refined processes and protocols for managing the internal flow of work for the best execution.
Hill Aevium
Vail, CO // April 2018 > August 2022
Creative Director
Hill Aevium (now The Blackbird Agency) hired me to build an exceptional creative team for elevated campaign output.
Led the creative team, strategy, planning and direction for the following clients: Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Visit Golden, Gunnison/Crested Butte Visitors Bureau, Knapp Ranch, The Laszlo Hotel, Gallegos, Shaeffer Hyde Construction, Kick MS, The Inn at Riverwalk, Eagle Climbing + Fitness, The Community Market, oneSource, Reynolds Polymer Technology and Vail Valley Jet Center
Boosted the agency's productivity by implementing a new creative brief process, strategy and planning phase and creative bar as a whole - resulting in increased client satisfaction and securing $1.76MM in revenue growth.
Implemented job trafficking system, resulting in a reduction in project delays and improved internal communication.
Served as the agency producer to estimate, triple bid, produce and deliver all deliverables regarding photography, video and radio. Responsible for pre and post-production.
Capital Goods
Denver, CO // September 2017 > April 2018
Creative Director
Founded in 2017 with the belief there was a better (and way more fun) way of working that prioritizes collaboration and transparency throughout every step of the process. We were a team of 3 consisting of me and 2 account leads.
Led the creative team, strategy, planning and direction for the following clients: Eddie Bauer and Taos Ski Valley.
Developed a social media structure for Eddie Bauer. Specifically launched the #WhyIHike campaign which resulted in 100k+ tags in the first month.
Launched a new brand position and campaign for Taos.
Revamped Taos’ brand position and launched a successful campaign, resulting in a 36% rise in Colorado visitors.
Speedvagen
Portland, OR // August 2016 > September 2017
Director of Marketing
A collaboration between master fabricators, expert bicycle painters, wood, leather, fabric and metal workers. All working to build the best bicycle you will ever own.
Increased traffic to speedvagen.com by 188%, resulting in 64% increase in sales.
Achieved 101k Instagram followers in year 1, an 83% growth from 55k, leading to improved social media presence and customer reach.
Maintain and update the infrastructure and content of speedvagen.com.
Concept and planning for new marketing initiatives designed to drive traffic to speedvagen.com.
Partnering with Public Relations firms and leading internal press outreach efforts.
Concept, create, write and monitor publishing for all social channels.
Pilgrim
Denver, CO // January 2015 > September 2016
Associate Creative Director
I was hired to differentiate and improve this health and wellness-focussed-boutique agency.
Clients: Eating Recovery Center, Connect For Health Colorado, AAA Colorado, The Colorado Wildlife Council, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, P2Bi Investors, The Fifty (Ad Club award show)
ONCE
Denver, CO // November 2014 > 2016
Founder, Director
The place to come to learn to not suck in advertising. I took on the role Creative Director at Amélie Company and in order for me to learn more about my role I sought outside help in the form of underground group discussions from industry leaders, called ONCE.
Freelance
Anywhere // November 2014 > January 2015
Creative Director, Art Director
This business has shown me that advertising can change, or even save, lives. I've been fortunate to have worked on a plethora of behavior change campaigns with smaller budgets, but all of which have had a very useful reason why. I've also had the privilege to discover how adding a purpose can transform a brand and strategy.
A few of the places I freelanced at during this period:
School
Grenadier
Ad Hack (School, Victors & Spoils, EVB, Anthem Branding, Glover Park Group, Grenadier)
Burton Snowboards
Pilgrim
Clients: Quiznos, Food Corps, Connect For Health Colorado, Eating Recovery Center, Burton Experience Snowboard Tour
School
Boulder, CO // March 2014 > November 2014
Creative Director
In early 2014, I joined School as the Creative Director. School is a relatively new startup from the minds of a couple ex-Crispin Porter Bogusky alums that is known for being an "agency with a purpose." Meaning all the work done for our clients gave the staff the chance to build schools for countries in need. School is striving to become the first advertising agency to win a Nobel Peace Prize. And lastly, we brought purpose into our clients projects.
Clients: Microsoft, AARP, Univision, Just Play Cleats, ClearTrail Capital, The Transpartisan Movement, Dish Network
Amélie Company
Denver, CO // September 2009 > March 2014
Creative Director
I was hired to take a production agency and convert it to an award winning ad agency. I inherited a staff of a production artist and a designer intern. In less then three years, we managed to win two major international awards in making the Communication Arts Advertising Annual and a Gold Obie for one of the best billboards of the year, bring on some top tier talent on both creative and account sides and manage 7-14 accounts from a creative director and art director role simultaneously.
Boosted the agency’s productivity by implementing a new creative brief process, strategy and planning phase and raised the creative bar as a whole - resulting in increased client satisfaction and securing $5.3MM in revenue growth.
Led and motivated a team of experienced art directors, copywriters, designers, and creative professionals. Simultaneously served as the agency producer, overseeing the estimation, triple bidding, production, and delivery of all photography, video, and radio deliverables, spanning pre and post-production phases.
Clients: Babolat, Colorado Department of Transportation, Westerra Credit Union, Outlast Technologies, TV5Monde, Great West Retirement Services, Colorado State University Pueblo, National Endowment for Financial Education, French American Chamber of Commerce, Colorado State Patrol, Smart Meal, Fletcher Allen Health Care, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Mother's Milk Bank Colorado, Denver Regional Council of Governments, Coloradans Against Auto Theft, Breckenridge, PopChips, Trimble, Cisco Live! 2013, Delta Dental Foundation of Colorado, The Business of Fun, EcoProducts, Western State Colorado University, Boulder International Film Festival
Freelance
Denver, CO // May 2007 > September 2009
Art Director
Clients: Shred Ready Helmets; Teva; Paradox Sports; Alder Creek Canoe & Kayak; Strata Design-Build; Zen Dog Pet Boutique; Hartford Festival; Peerson Design; Karsh/Hagen: Denver Metro And Convention Visitors Bureau; Rabble + Rouser: Weber Grills; Barnhart: Trimble; The Denver Daily News: Vita, Appaloosa Grill, Argonaut Liquor Store, Emich Volkswagen, Katie Mullen’s Irish Pub, Nallen’s Irish Pub, Riverbend Insurance, The Denver Daily News Summer Guide, The Denver Daily News Twitter feeds; The Winter Group: Library Media Connection Magazine, 3LCD Technology, Epson Projectors
McClain Finlon
Denver, CO // February 2006 > May 2007
Senior Art Director
Clients: Breckenridge Ski Resort, Xcel Energy, Qwest, Western Union, Flying Dog Brewery
The Mandala Agency
Bend, OR // March 2003 > February 2006
Art Director
Clients: Mountain Hardwear, Columbia Aircraft, PineMeadowGolf.com, Coffee Bean International, BendFilm, The Oregon Garden, Portland Lumberjax, Klamath First Federal, South Valley Bank, Rays Food Place, Northwest Natural, Bend Broadband, Edge Wireless, Boys & Girls Club’s of Portland and Central Oregon, NoCoat Drywall Systems, ReliOn, Advanced Surgical Care, Adair Homes, Thrifty Car Sales, Karnopp Petersen LLC., Francis Hansen Martin LLC., Creative & Marketing Conference, Sunriver Realty, H.S Trask & CO., Roseburg Forest Products, Tripwire, Bend Parks & Recreation, Century Dental Group, Central Oregon Home & Garden Show
Grey Direct
Atlanta, GA // May 2002 > February 2003
Junior Art Director
Client: BellSouth
Fitzgerald + Co
Atlanta, GA // December 2000 > September 2001
Art Director Intern
Clients: Atlanta Zoo, Coke
Education
The Creative Circus
Atlanta, GA // September 1999 > September 2001
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL // September 1994 > August 1998
References available upon request.
Howdy! My name is Gordon, seriously. Most call me Gordy. I can make ads, lead creative people, land high 5s from clients and ride a gravel bike pulling two toddlers up an 11% grade.
As an ideator, I start by getting to know a brand's point of view, highlighting the need to understand its purpose for building emotional connections with its audience(s).
I believe that anything can look great, but without a strategic, conceptual idea it will have a short shelf life.
In leadership, I focus on nurturing the unique strengths of my team, rather than expecting them to be just like me, creating a space for them to thrive as their best selves.