As an independent creative director, writer, and brand strategist, John helps each client uncover what’s inherently true and authentic about their brand and distill their message down to one, obsessively single-minded point. Only then can a brand hope to pierce through today’s media noise, connect with people, and drive action. For the last decade, John has offered clients a smarter, nimbler alternative to traditional, full-service ad agencies. He likens his approach to that careful-or-you’ll-shoot-your-eye-out, projectile orb known as the bb: 

Formerly the ECD of a $300M agency, John brings to the table 30+ years of advertising experience, including 12 in New York and 4 more in Chicago–where he oversaw all creative in the U.S. for the $130M Nintendo account. He’s also created national campaigns for clients like Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Perdue Chicken, Wells Fargo, McDonald’s, Charles Schwab, Accenture, Sealy, TJ Maxx, Miller Lite, Jameson Whiskey, and Applegate Farms, among countless others. John has been fortunate enough to have his work recognized with multiple Cannes Lions–as well as by The One Show, London’s D&AD, Clios, Athenas, and Radio Mercury Awards.

An alum of the University of Virginia, he moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2003 and never looked back. John and his French wife Valerie have three amazing kids and one badass Yorkie Poo named Rambo. He enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and surfing badly. (John, not Rambo.)

Backgrounds: Bald Head Island, NC; Cohoke Pond, VA; Jekyll Island, GA.

Huge thanks to the talented David Sherrill for helping build this site.