About

I never wanted to wear crisp, white dress shirts. 

First I wanted to be a fiction writer. I remember writing, illustrating, physically constructing and thereby self-publishing my first book Jon, the Mouse and the Time Machine in second grade. 

Then I wanted to be a musician. I started playing guitar when I was in third grade. I remember walking home from school singing Le Freak at full volume, resolving to perform that song in my future band. 

These creative interests would battle for dominance in a beautiful, fulfilling war of attrition for years. The battle rages on to this day. 

After graduate school, writing was winning. I’d finished my Master’s thesis in Creative Writing and published my first short story in a national collection. I began to have more stories published in reputable literary magazines and journals. 

At the time, many of my college friends worked as writers and art directors in Chicago and were having more fun than seemed possible. They suggested I put my book together and get a job in advertising. A friend at Leo Burnett even gave me a book called “How to Put Your Book Together and Get a Job in Advertising.”

Soon, I put my book together and got a job at Leo Burnett. I remember running to the “newsstand” on Lincoln and Fullerton after work a few months later to buy the latest Esquire and see my first produced ad. That was the night I decided I needed to create things that weren’t there before in order to be professionally satisfied. 

Then music hit back with a nice left-hook. I was in a band on the side—the only band I’d ever wanted to play in. About a year earlier at one of their Double Door shows, I turned to my friend and yelled “I’m going to play in this band someday!”

I joined Dovetail Joint. Columbia records signed Dovetail Joint. Our first national tour would start in a month. I walked into my creative director’s office and offered a resignation, but he wouldn’t accept. He must have presaged the fickle nature of the record industry because instead of letting me go, he gave me a leave of absence with benefits and became one of my heroes. 

Two records and a #14 Modern Rock Radio hit later, I was back at Leo Burnett working on the US ARMY pitch. We won, and I began my career making things. The account was unique in that our group created every piece of communication for every available platform at the time. TV, Website, Print, Radio, Direct Mail, Promotions, Long form video, emails, recruiter kits...everything.

I discovered the power of a breakthrough platform idea that could drive dozens of connected consumer experiences across all channels.

Since then, by design, I've spent my career gathering experience from the big brand, digital, social, B2B, direct, promotions, and earned awareness groups in Chicago. As a result, I know I can connect the dots between traditional advertising, social marketing, digital experiences, experiential, influencer marketing, entertainment partnerships, and purpose-driven marketing to create truly integrated communications programs for maximum surround-sound effect. I’ve also learned how to design those types of programs to get the attention they deserve in the media for even more earned impact. 

Which leads me to what I’m about: the creative thinker, practitioner, marketer, maker, and leader with the experience to put all those pieces of the puzzle together for whomever recognizes the value of the modern, full spectrum marketing mix. 

I’ve learned a lot, too much to explain on a portfolio site. Just in case we never get the chance to talk one on one, here are some of the important things I’d like to say about what I value at work: 

Culture matters most: It hurts to witness people working against each other for themselves. Anything is possible when people work with each other and for each other. 

The big idea is bigger than you think: It must be a vast, universe of a story telling platform that begets as many connected experiences as possible. 

Consensus is key: Breakthrough ideas exist within the balanced needs of all stakeholders. Success starts with a room full of genuine smiles.

You can’t lead a team if you’re out of touch or holding back: Endeavor to be honest and make sure the team knows you value them above all else. 

A brand must be trusted: Going forward brands must stand for something more than just their product or service to remain relevant to the next generations of consumers. 

And finally, everything Conan O’Brien said signing off that night on the Tonight Show, but mostly this part: “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.” 

Thanks for reading. Hope to talk soon. 

All best, 

Jon