Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Zak Stawski

Sausalito,CA

Summary

Visionary Content Designer and Creative Director with over 14 years of experience in leading high-impact creative initiatives within agencies and tech-centric environments. Renowned for strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record of driving significant enhancements in user engagement and brand prestige.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Content Designer

Factor
10.2023 - Current
  • Collaborated with Product Designers and Managers to revamp Shopify's enterprise website, enhancing user engagement through data-driven, strategic content and consistent, high-quality deliverables, utilizing Figma.
  • Executed content design and copywriting for 27 projects across Shopify’s 3 main business units, enhancing the clarity and appeal of web pages and emails.
  • Optimized web content for search engines, driving organic traffic growth and improving site visibility.
  • Crafted compelling user interface copy and microcopy for Shopify.com, improving user experience and increasing conversion.
  • Fostered collaboration among UX Designers, Visual Designers, Content Designers, Creative Directors, and Product Marketing Managers, leading to the successful launch of major web pages aligned with strategic business objectives.
  • Coordinated with subject matter experts during the content development process, ensuring accurate representation of complex topics in an accessible manner.
  • Utilized Figma, Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Slack to support project management and design processes, enhancing team productivity and project turnaround time.

Creative Director

Shion
06.2021 - 09.2023
  • Co-directed an award-winning creative studio, pioneering 5 key new operational strategies that enhanced overall productivity.
  • Led creative direction for high-profile clients including Myriad Genetics, Meta, Golden State Warriors, Boots, Ithaca Hummus, and Bayer, overseeing 115 projects and over 275+ ads.
  • Managed a dynamic team of 20 creatives, fostering a collaborative environment that increased team efficiency.
  • Used qualitative and quantitative research to guide strategic and creative decision-making, ensuring final deliverables were strategically grounded.
  • Consistently presented strategic initiatives and creative deliverables to executives across 7 clients, influencing key decision-making processes.
  • Secured multiple industry accolades including Clios, Webbys, Awwwards, w3 Awards, AVA Digital Awards, and Communicator Awards, recognizing excellence in creativity and innovation in digital campaigns across diverse markets.
  • Streamlined project management and design workflows with tools such as Figma, Google Docs, Slides, Drive, and Asana, reducing project delivery times and improving cross-team communication.

Associate Creative Director

Kettle
02.2019 - 06.2021
  • Steered high-impact creative initiatives for leading brands like Nike, L'Oréal USA, and Walmart, elevating brand visibility and consumer engagement across multiple platforms.
  • Conceptualized and launched L’Oréal’s 'March For Me' global Pride campaign, involving videos, live activations, and social media posts that significantly amplified global brand awareness and community engagement.
  • Created a Nike social media campaign that skyrocketed engagement rates by 1,854% and reduced cost per store visit by 36%, setting a new benchmark for social media campaign efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Developed Discover Student Loans’ best-testing commercial at the time, which improved lead generation and conversion rates through targeted content and design innovations.
  • Collaborated with a diverse team of UX/UI designers, marketers, and senior leaders to innovate and execute cutting-edge creative projects, enhancing brand engagement and user experience.
  • Secured a 2021 Webby Award for outstanding design and functionality of Kettle’s corporate website, underlining excellence in digital creativity and user-centric design.
  • Played a pivotal role in business development, spearheading pitches and strategies that attracted 5 new clients, including Walmart and Atlantic Broadband, thereby expanding the company’s market reach and portfolio.
  • Utilized an array of productivity tools including Keynote, Pages, Basecamp, and Slack to enhance team efficiency and streamline project management across creative endeavors.

Senior Copywriter

R/GA
10.2016 - 01.2019
  • Led creative marketing initiatives for prestigious clients such as Samsung, Walt Disney World, Mercedes-Benz, Ally Bank, Verizon Wireless, and Love Has No Labels, enhancing their brand presence and consumer reach.
  • Collaborated with top-tier international Creative Directors, Strategy Directors, Executive Producers, and Account Directors, turning global insights into high-performing creative across major markets.
  • Provided copywriting and content design for 29 unique pages on Samsung.com, increasing conversion of flagship products with engaging storytelling.
  • Played a pivotal role in the successful launch of Samsung's Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note9, which collectively exceeded sales targets and significantly boosted market share.
  • Produced a diverse portfolio of marketing materials, including videos, ad campaigns, and social media content, which improved campaign engagement rates and increased web traffic.
  • Contributed to R/GA’s recognition on Ad Age’s A-List for two consecutive years, reflecting exceptional agency performance and client satisfaction
  • Utilized a suite of productivity tools including Slack, Google Slides, and Google Docs to streamline communications and project management, reducing project turnaround times in a fast-paced environment.

Copywriter

Swirl
07.2015 - 09.2016
  • Worked with Microsoft Store, Hidden Valley, Kingsford Charcoal, iON Cameras, Game Golf, and Cool Effect—a climate change startup.
  • Conceptualized and executed comprehensive multimedia campaigns—including websites, videos, TV scripts, and digital ads—that raised brand profiles.
  • Spearheaded content creation for CoolEffect.com, leading to increase in site traffic and donor engagement, and consistently engaged with C-Suite executives on strategic and creative insights.
  • Achieved Webby Award nomination for Cool Effect's 'Save Our Snowmen' campaign, which successfully raised awareness about climate change, resulting in campaign-related donations and media coverage.
  • Represented Swirl at 4As leadership training program and led a spec campaign for Julep.

Copywriter

Campbell Ewald
05.2011 - 07.2015
  • Created campaigns for 55 brands, including Zipcar, Cadillac, University of Michigan Health System, Federal Student Aid, Kaiser Permanente, and Ghirardelli.
  • Played key role in helping secure 14 new clients, resulting in agency revenue growth.
  • Wrote and produced TV ads, mini-documentaries, and social media campaigns, which boosted client brand visibility across various platforms and increased consumer interaction
  • Represented Campbell Ewald at Lowe Institute, a company-wide retreat for future leaders, enhancing leadership skills and network-building.
  • Received multiple industry accolades, such as D Show, IAC, Case Award, and DMAD, recognizing outstanding creative direction and campaign success.
  • Judged the AICE (now AICP) Awards, influencing industry standards and recognizing peer excellence in advertising and creative content.

Education

B.A. Political Science and Creative Writing -

DePaul University
Chicago, IL
06.2010

Skills

  • Content Design
  • Content Strategy
  • Copywriting
  • Systems Thinking
  • Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Creative Direction
  • Concepting
  • Advertising
  • Branding
  • Product Design
  • Design Systems Knowledge

Awards

2022

  • Webby People’s Voice Award, Health + Wellness Website for Vella
  • Clio Cannabis Bronze Award, Website Design for Vella
  • Awwwards, Site of the Day Honorable Mention for Vella
  • W3 Awards, Silver Winner in Best Use of Audio for Video for Ithaca Hummus
  • W3 Awards, Silver Winner in Best Use of Audio for Video for Myriad Genetics
  • W3 Awards, Silver Winner in Health Website for Vella
  • Telly Awards, Bronze Winner in Use of Music for Ithaca Hummus
  • Telly Awards, Gold Winner in Use of Music for Myriad Genetics
  • AVA Digital Awards, Gold in Original Music for Ithaca Hummus
  • AVA Digital Awards, Gold in Original Music for Myriad Genetics
  • AVA Digital Awards, Platinum in Original Music for Vella
  • AVA Digital Awards, Platinum Winner in B2C Website for Vella
  • Communicator Award of Distinction in Custom Music for Vella
  • Communicator Award of Excellence in Website Design Visual Appeal for Unfold
  • Communicator Awards of Excellence in Custom Music for Ithaca Hummus


2021

  • Webby Winner, Best User Interface for Websites and Mobile Sites for Kettle


2017

  • Webby Finalist, Save Our Snowmen


2015

  • D Show Shortlist, FSA - Matt + Mike Videos
  • AICE Awards Show Judge
  • Crain's 20 In Their 20s Nominee
  • Fortune Magazine & Adcraft PM Award of Excellence Nominee


2014

  • D Show Shortlist, UMHS Campaign Web Video - "Now Is Our Time"
  • D Show Shortlist, UMHS Collateral
  • Bronze Case Award, UMHS Case Statement
  • Gold Case Award Winner, UMHS Campaign Web Video - "Now Is Our Time"
  • DMAD Target Award Winner, #CEFalcons
  • IAC Best Advertising Interactive Application, Dow Solar Shingles Google Experience
  • IAC Best Social Network Social Media Campaign, #CEFalcons Campaign


2013

  • D Show Shortlist, MyUofMHealth.org Elevator Wraps
  • D Show Shortlist, UMHS Web Video - "Orthotics & Prosthetics"
  • D Show Shortlist, UMHS Web Video - "Tyler Hood"
  • D Show Winner, #CEFalcons Campaign
  • D Show Winner, Dow Solar Shingles Google Experience
  • CE3 SoLoMo Challenge Winner, NAVY


2012

  • CE Innovation Award, Ghirardelli

Timeline

Content Designer

Factor
10.2023 - Current

Creative Director

Shion
06.2021 - 09.2023

Associate Creative Director

Kettle
02.2019 - 06.2021

Senior Copywriter

R/GA
10.2016 - 01.2019

Copywriter

Swirl
07.2015 - 09.2016

Copywriter

Campbell Ewald
05.2011 - 07.2015

B.A. Political Science and Creative Writing -

DePaul University

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Zak Stawski