JOHN SZALAY
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ART DIRECTOR
Richmond,NV
Summary
20+ years' experience translating marketing objectives into strategic omni-platform creative solutions that resonate with consumers and drive results.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
VP Creative Director
Truth Initiative
Washington DC
06.2023 - 06.2024
- Led the internal creative team on social, on-campus experiences and promotional items + partnered with Mojo Supermarket on national advertising campaigns
- "This is Quitting" text cessation program beat tik tok's engagement benchmark by 400%, winning a 2024 Bronze Reggie
- Multichannel "Toxic Therapist" campaign drove a 71% website engagement rate
- Sustained, thematic influencer campaigns
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Collaborated with senior management developing strategic initiatives, elevating brand awareness, and setting long term goals.
Creative Director
Mythic
Charlotte, NC
03.2022 - 02.2023
- Spectrum Cable, Wilmington & Beaches Tourism, Hercules + Ironman Tires
- Ironman + Hercules: 15% Instagram follower growth 3x social interactions 80% engagement over competitors
- Enhanced brand recognition by developing innovative marketing campaigns and visually compelling designs.
- Managed campaigns with specific focuses in order to meet customer needs and creative visions.
- Mentored junior designers, fostering professional growth and enhancing overall team capabilities.
- Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans.
Creative Director / Art Director
The Martin Agency
Richmond , VA
01.2010 - 08.2021
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and seamless execution.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define project vision and ensure alignment with business goals.
- Managed campaigns with specific focuses in order to meet customer needs and creative visions.
- Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans.
- Accounts worked on: GEICO, Hanes, Walmart, Discover Card, tic tac, Midas, Cool Whip, Penske, Experian, SLING TV, Ritz, KAYAK, Tylenol, Xfinity, Free Credit Score, TIAA, Sabra, Twisted Tea, Pizza Hut, Donate Life
- New Business Wins: tic tac brand work, TV, and social/digital; Hanes social, digital, and women wear; GEICO social, Midas TV & social; Walmart digital
- Led the team that produced Hanes' most successful product launch campaign to date
- "Hans comfort Guru" campaign featured in Fast Company
- "Every Bod" campaign featured in the New York Times
- Doubled account revenue by winning the social and digital business
- Walmart - "Conveyor Belt" TV increased sales for the first time in 2 years
- Recognized at Cannes, The One Show, and US Edition Campaign Magazine
Art Director - Freelance
RG/A, Merkley+Partners, McGarry Bowen
New York, NY
01.2009 - 01.2010
- AVAYA, Chase Credit + Small Business, new business pitches for Arby's, Pizza Hut
- Worked with creative teams to develop concept designs for campaigns that resonated with target audiences.
Associate Creative Director / Art Director
LOWE WORLDWIDE
New York , NY
01.2010 - 08.2021
- Established strong client relationships through clear communication, understanding of goals, and delivering on expectations.
- Creative direction on accounts Degree/Rexona and XM Satellite Radio,
- Art Director on accounts - Heineken, GMC, Verizon Wireless, UPS, Saab, MassMutual, Perdue Chicken, IRIDIUM, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Gorton's, Johnson & Johnson
- Elevated brand identity by developing innovative creative concepts and executing design strategies.
- Directed photoshoots and video productions for compelling visual content that resonated with target audiences.
- New Business Wins: Degree/Unilever TV, digital, print, outdoor, POP
- Launched a Degree rebrand with a Super Bowl spot
- Grew the Degree mens account to include womens, teens and global business
Skills
Team leadership
Building relationships and trust
Platform Conceptualization
Motivating and mentoring
Cultivating creative talent
Guiding Creative Collaboration
Developing pitch-winning ideas
Results-driven
Brand-building executions
Strategic thinking
Recognition
- Cannes
- The One Show
- D&AD
- The Effies
- AICP
- Campaign Magazine, US Annual Review
- Communication Arts
- The Reggie Awards
- New York Festivals
- FWA Site of the Day
- New York Times
- Fast Company
- USA Today
- The Super Bowl
Extra-Curricular Activities
Professor, Miami Ad School, guiding seniors as they create work for student competitions. Student wins include D&AD pencils & shortlists, One Show pencils & shortlists, ADDYS and Webbys. Mentor, Ad Club at VCU + Brand Center Camp Adventure Speaker, Budapest Brand Festival VCU Children's Hospital + Richmond Public Schools: strategy and creative for healthy lifestyle awareness campaigns
Mediums
- TV commercials
- Cinema spots
- Online video
- Animation
- Computer graphics
- Heavy special effects
- Influencer content
- User generated content
- Scrappy low budget shoots
- Up to million dollar productions
- Graphic design
- Print ads
- Billboards
- Wild postings
- In-store materials
- Point of sale
- Brochures
- Down to restaurant table tents
- Landing pages
- Contest pages
- Animated banners
- Static banners
- Social media creation and post copy
Timeline
VP Creative Director
Truth Initiative
06.2023 - 06.2024
Creative Director
Mythic
03.2022 - 02.2023
Associate Creative Director / Art Director
LOWE WORLDWIDE
01.2010 - 08.2021
Creative Director / Art Director
The Martin Agency
01.2010 - 08.2021
Art Director - Freelance
RG/A, Merkley+Partners, McGarry Bowen
01.2009 - 01.2010