Hello, I’m James — a former art director/designer turned copywriter turned creative director. I’ve helped a talking fish sell more tuna than his competitors, a century-old brand become relevant to young moms, and foster kids find their voices in a system that doesn’t exactly listen to them. And I can’t wait to do more.
If you’re an agency or brand looking for a copywriter who has a ton of experience across several brand categories, it’s nice to meet you. I’m well-versed in social, digital and traditional media, and can work effectively and efficiently on my own or on a team.
For agencies, I know the drill, the players, the etiquette. From pitching business to writing briefs to writing social posts, there isn’t much I can’t help with. I’m just as comfortable creating and writing and designing for the coveted “Millennial Moms” as I am for the unimpressed teenagers on Tik Tok.
For brand CMOs and business owners, you get an experienced advertising and marketing professional who can consult, create and execute. Whether you need to build a brand, sell widgets or increase your social media presence, I can help. You’ll get a dedicated partner who’ll deliver great work on time and on budget. Every single time.
Click here to download my resume
Creative Director/Copywriter, Merit Marketing; Harrisburg, PA — 2019-2021
Clients: Shitshow wines, Cumberland Valley Tourism, 1700º Steakhouse, Adlib restaurant, Community Services Group, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, FileXM software, Bejeti wallets, Reading Trucks, SEPTA
Highlights: First CCO of Merit; implemented creative briefs; hired the first Chief Strategy Officer to align with creative and account service; improved profitability of the creative department; created the agency’s first TV spots; realigned digital to improve profitability, led and won the agency’s first new business pitch (Cumberland Valley Tourism); other new business wins included Bejeti, 1700º/Adlib, FileXM, SEPTA, EAVX, Shitshow wines
Creative Director/Copywriter, Pavone/quench; Harrisburg, PA — 2015-2019
Clients: North American Breweries (Labatt Blue/Blue Light, Seagram’s Escapes), Sauder’s Eggs, Sun-Maid, Blue Harbor Fish Co., Starkist, Hershey’s, Herr’s, CASA of Dauphin County, Newfangled Brew Works, Ever Grain Brewing Company
Highlights: Pitched and won more new business pitches than all previous CCOs; won AOR for Sun-Maid then separately pitched and won their packaging; helped grow Starkist into the category leader and won their social media work; reimagined the production department and made it profitable; reduced creative overhead while maximizing profitability; helped implement lead teams to improve overall agency efficiency
Creative Director/Copywriter, Bader Rutter; Brookfield, WI — 2011-2014
Clients: Sauder Furniture, Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis), Dow AgroSciences, Johnson Controls, Burpee Home Gardens
Senior Copywriter/ Senior Art Director, Neiman Group; Harrisburg/Philadephia, PA — 2002-2010
Clients: Penn State Basketball, Tröegs Brewery, Capital BlueCross, Trex, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Amtrak, PennDOT, PA Wine & Spirits, Bricco Restaurant, Sheetz, Red Door Wine Bar, Ready.biz, The Ad Council
Senior Art Director, Krause Associates; Dallas, TX — 2000-2001
Clients: The Texas Rangers, IronOx.com, Standard Fruit and Vegetable
Senior Art Director, Grey Advertising; Fort Worth, TX — 1999-2000
Clients: Justin Boots, JPS Health Network, Community Bank, Nucentrix, Heartland Cable
Senior Art Director, The Maxfield Group/Square One; Irving, TX — 1996-1999
Clients: GTE, Wilsonart International
Art Director, J. Walter Thompson; Dallas, TX — 1995-1996
Clients: Pizza Hut, Texas Instruments, EDS, E-Systems, Oracle, SAF Bulk Chemicals, Exxon
Art Director, Bernard Hodes Advertising; Houston/Dallas, TX — 1992-1995
Clients: Steak & Ale, Bennigan’s, Haggar Clothing, FINA, Hermann Hospital, Saudi Aramco, AT&T
Education: The Art Institute of Houston
Awards: Effies, Graphis, Archive, One Show, several BMA Bells, several New York ACE awards, bronze Telly, Best of Public Service Philly Addys, several Philly Golds, several Central PA Addys, District 2 Addys, national Addys, Print Design Annual, New York Festival winner, several Fort Worth Addys, several Dallas Topps awards, nominee One Show Interactive, Mobius best of show, Art Directors Club of Houston awards