BRAND BUILDER +
CREATIVE DIRECTOR +
TEAM LEADER.
Who I am.
I’m the great, great, great, great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Okay, that’s not true (but it’s fun at parties). I’m really an English major from Iowa who moved to the Bay Area 20 years ago, and managed to make something of his life. I am a creative.
What I do.
I concept, I direct, I present, I write, I brand, always searching for those moments of, “Wow, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.” Those moments tell me I’m on the right track. They’re where all my breakthroughs have occurred, and how I’ve grown as a leader. My world has been immersed in brands for nearly two decades. Big brands and small brands. B2B brands and B2C brands, across a wide range of industries.
I’ve undertaken numerous brand evaluation, brand strategy, and brand execution projects over this time, and enjoyed some satisfying successes. What I’ve learned is that branding is ultimately about storytelling. The best stories surprise and delight while helping companies differentiate themselves from their competitors. Whether it’s food and beverages, CRM systems, technological apparel or WAN optimization, the excitement and creativity of communicating brand differentiation is what gets me up in the morning (and keeps me up at night while I check things out on my laptop).
My favorite definition of brand is “a promise kept”. When I take up the daily challenge of telling a brand story, I think of boundaries and guidelines, because for me operating within those restrictions is where brands happen, and where true creativity flourishes.
Awards.
2021
Communicator, Distinction: Sage Diversity Repositioning; Sage Save & Share; Sage How We Work; Sage Magic Moments
Communicator, Excellence: Sage Boss It; Sage Business Operations; Sage UK New Tomorrows; Sage Boss It – Sage Business Operations; Sage UK New Tomorrows
Telly, Gold: Sage Boss It; Silver: Sage Magic Moments
Webby, Honoree: Sage L.E.A.D. Review
2020
Telly, Silver: Sage Animated Business Operations Video; Sage L.E.A.D. Review; Bronze – Sage Intacct Product Launch Video; UK Small Business Campaign – “Elevate”; Sage Recharge Your Lunchtime
Communicator, Distinction: Sage Intacct Advantage; Sage Values & Behaviors; Sage FY20 Thrive On; Sage Foundation Fundraising
Communicator, Excellence: Sage Intacct Australia 30″; Sage Health & Wellbeing Month
In-House Agency Forum, Honorable Mention: Sage Health & Wellbeing Month
MarCom, Platinum: Sage New Tomorrows; Sage Holiday E-Card
Telly, Silver: Sage Recharge Your Lunchtime
2019
W3, Gold: Empire Candles Customer Testimonial
Davey, Gold: Sage Sessions Opener; Invictus Games
MarCom, Gold: Empire Candles Customer Testimonial
Global Biddable Media: Boss It Hashtag Challenge