experience:
CREATIVE CONTRACT & CONSULTATION, New York, New York :: 08.2023 - present Available for creative direction, art direction, concept development, pitching, and team- and project-wrangling on paid, earned, and everything-in-between assignments.
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EDELMAN, Chicago, IL (remote employee) :: 02.2021 - 07.2023
EVP, Executive Creative Director
Led creative pitches and campaigns for DoorDash, 7-Eleven, Duly Health & Care, Barilla, CSX, Intuit, Nutro/Greater Ground, and AdCouncil/AdoptUS Kids. Flexed across corporate and consumer assignments on both earned and paid campaigns.
Highlights: ︎ Pitched and won DoorDash business for Edelman and launched the DashPass Drops program for DashPass members—hailed as “huge” and “the future of DashPass” by DoorDash President Christopher Payne.
︎ Launched 7-Eleven x Kerwin Frost Snack Attack Uniform — garnering Gen Z fandom and organic social posts from Lil Yachty, Bella Poarch, Coi Leroy, Korean pop star CL, and more. Media coverage included Complex, Uproxx, Foodbeast, and AdAge.
︎ Led rebranding of DuPage Medical Group to Duly Health + Care, including development of the brand story, visual identity, and integrated launch campaign. Business grew from 800K to 6MM in nine months.
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DIGITAS, New York, NY :: 01.2017 - 02.2021
VP/Group Director, Creative (01.2021 - 02.2021)
Creative lead on ALDI digital and social marketing (owned and paid).
VP/Director, Creative (01.2017- 12.2020)
Led digital marketing creative for American Express (Global Brand, Platinum Card products, Small Business Saturday + Shop Small). Some time also spent on Mondelez (Trident, Chips Ahoy) and Comcast B2B. Work included digital and social media advertising, site content + UX, and acquisition + loyalty communications. Collaborated closely with account leadership, brand strategy, analytics, technology, production, and client partners.
Highlights: ︎ Four years leading Amex’s award-winning Small Business Saturday for Digitas — orchestrating a team of creatives on the annual effort that started each March and culminated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in small businesses across America.
︎Annual campaign spanned audiences and channels — from CRM tools for the small buinesses to shareable GIPHY stickers and social posts for consumers to posters and campaign toolkits for the grass-roots community organizers.
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CREATIVE CONTRACT & CONSULTATION, New York, New York :: 05.2015 - 12.2016 Art direction and concept development for various clients/agencies (McCann, Razorfish, Digitas, BBDO/Organic, toddstreet, Pure Growth, Rule of Three).
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D’ADDARIO & CO., Brooklyn, NY & Farmingdale, NY :: 08.2013 - 04.2015
D’Addario is the world’s largest musical instrument accessories manufacturer, marketing its products under several brands, including D’Addario, EVANS (drumheads), ProMark (drumsticks), RICO, Kaplan (orchestral), and Puresound.
Creative Director Led global creative development and execution of all marketing initiatives across five internal product groups. Brought in to “raise the bar” and build out the fledgling Marcom department during a period of significant brand transformation. Recruited and mentored a top-tier creative and production staff to deliver multiple best-in-class 360 campaigns. Sat on the executive management team and collaborated closely with the CEO, product development, and manufacturing leads.
Highlights:
︎ Launched the brand’s premier electric string line, NYXL, in an aggressive 6-month timeframe, with work that included brand ID, packaging, print, videos, website, social, events, and collateral. The CEO lauded this campaign as “the most successful product launch in the company's history.”
︎ Managed massive rebranding effort that included redesign of all packaging across multiple product groups (Guitar+, Percussion, Orchestral, Woodwinds, and Accessories).
︎ Directed professional development of creative staff (15 direct reports) through mentoring and timely feedback.
︎ Submitted regular department updates to the Board of Directors and key stakeholders via written reports, presentations, and
town hall meetings.
︎ Improved process, documentation, and communication within Marcom and between departments via the introduction of onboarding documents, weekly scrums / hot sheets, and an online project management platform.
︎ Introduced the development and use of campaign toolkits for partners and affiliates — leading to greater alignment of branding and messaging across markets.
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R/GA, San Francisco, CA :: 05.2012 - 07.2013
Associate Creative Director (contract) Development and management of digital and social creative for the launch of Windows 8. Work included Facebook app, social, CRM, XBox BDE and site development. Regular presentation of concepts to client.
Highlights:
︎ Led redesign of Windows 8 Consumer Landing page (original page had a high bounce rate). Simplified content structure and communication of features/benefits. Developed more engaging interaction within content modules to increase “stickiness” of page.
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FCB, San Francisco, CA :: 09.2010 - 05.2012
Associate Creative Director Art Director half of the senior creative team on PG&E’s Energy Conservation Initiatives. Managed up to three junior teams on integrated campaigns that included Television, Print, Radio, Banners and Direct Marketing. Oversaw staffing and development of timelines on projects. Art directed photo shoots and video shoots. Presented all creative work to client.
Highlights:
︎ Developed the “See Your Power” campaign, successfully repositioning SmartMeters in a hostile consumer market. The campaign exceeded the goal of increasing customers with “favorable impressions” of SmartMeters by 50% and increased the number of people interested in learning more about their energy use through SmartMeter data by 236%.
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PUBLICIS, ORGANIC, & McCCANN WORLDGROUP, San Francisco, CA :: 06.2009 - 08.2010
Associate Creative Director (contract)
Led creative development of Digital and Print campaigns for PayPal (Digitas), Bank of America (Organic) and HP (McCann).
Highlights:
︎ Developed and managed a highly successful 2009 PayPal Holiday Shopping campaign. Email click-thru rates increased by 50%, and purchases doubled over the year before — despite a sluggish economy. The campaign was awarded "Best Holiday Campaign" by Promo magazine.
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McCCANN WORLDGROUP, San Francisco, CA :: 09.2004-06.2009
Associate Creative Director
Developed integrated global campaigns and collateral for Microsoft (Office, Windows, Dynamics). Created digital and print campaigns for Nortel, HP, AMG & Academy of Friends. Designed and oversaw development of websites, emails, banners, print and streaming. Art directed photo shoots and video shoots. Presented creative concepts to client.
Highlights:
︎ Led creative development and production of Real Life Tools campaign for Microsoft Office. Campaign ran in 12 countries and 8 languages and included print, streaming video, banners, demos and website. Generated over 5 million product trials and demos and 500,000 retail referrals. Office saw an 18% lift in purchase intent (vs. 15% goal) and campaign recognition by 54% of audience (vs. 35% goal).
︎ Though originally intended to run as a “bridge” campaign for a few months, campaign ran for almost two years.
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McCANN-ERICKSON, New York, NY :: 08.1999-09.2004
Senior Art Director (01.2003 - 09.2004) Developed and produced tv, print and radio campaigns for Wyeth (Dimetapp, Anbesol, Prevnar) and Nestlé Spring Waters (Poland Spring, Arrowhead, Zephyrhills, Ozarka). Art directed photo shoots and tv shoots.
Art Director (09.2002 - 01.2003) Developed and produced tv, print and radio campaigns for Sprint and Nestlé Spring Waters (Poland Spring, Arrowhead, Zephyrhills, Ozarka). Art directed photo shoots and tv shoots. Received Truth Well Told Award (agency recognition for exemplary performance).
Senior Designer (08.1999 - 09.2002)
Designed print comps and tv storyboards for Art Directors. L’Oréal, Mastercard, Lowes, Microsoft, Allegra, Solomon Smith Barney, Gateway computers.
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AMERICAN EXPRESS, New York NY :: 01.1999-08.2001
Designer (contract) Designed POP, gift cards, and posters for client presentations. Crate & Barrel, Eddie Bauer, Barnes & Noble, Tower Records.
education:
SVA, New YorkContinuing Education, Graphic Design
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, STERN School of Business
B.S., Dual Major, Management & International Business
Deans List & Trustee Scholar. Graduated in 3 years, Magna Cum Laude
contact:
emailreferences:
Available upon request and on LinkedIn︎ View my LinkedIn Profile
© 2023 Sarah Bruns. The work in this porfolio was designed and produced for the brands represented and is protected under copyright law. It shall not be infringed upon, reproduced, or redistrubuted without consent. All rights reserved.