Who I am:

I am a writer, humorist, screenwriter, poet, artist, teacher. and mentor.

Some highlights: As Chief Idea Officer/Chief Creative Officer I was able to help bring Barkley back from the brink after it lost half its revenue along with its largest client just a few weeks after being hired. While there I led the agency in more than 20 winning pitches, replacing the lost revenue in less than two years and diversifying the roster at the same time. Today Barkley is a thriving independent agency. At VaynerMedia I led several social-media first accounts, becoming an expert on social media platforms. I led accounts such as Yaamava’ Resort and Casino to millions of viral views and guided them to their upcoming rebranding. I was an integral part of taking Grey NY, a stale 97-year old agency, from being “The Death Star” to being the most creative agency in the world (not my words). At Chiat I was given the opportunity to build two divisions (one a great success, the other a decided failure). I was part of the management group that built Chiat\Day Interactive, which later became Tequila (success!) and Chiat\Day Entertainment, which later became nothing (failure!). As an Associate Professor at Art Center in Pasadena I had the privilege of teaching some of the brightest stars of today’s ad world. I’ve had my own great teachers – Tracy Wong, Lee Clow, Evelyn Neill, Rob Schwartz, Tor Myhren (like I said, lucky), Gary Vaynerchuck. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Here are my vitals.

Experience:

Group Creative Director VaynerMedia 2021 - Present (Social Media and Brand Advertising)
Sonic Drive In, Yaamava’ Resort and Casino, Thomas the Tank Engine, Toyota Parts and Service, Palms Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Lands’ End (Blake Shelton)

Freelance: January 2015-2021

Apple (iPhone, Watch, Mac, iPad, Keynote events, Global recruitment), Edelman (NYDIG), JWT (Rolex), Digitas (Yahoo AOL merger), 360i (Met Life),  MAL (Apple Watch), Hudson Rouge (Launch of the 2017 Lincoln Continental) GREY/Ogilvy (IBM, Walgreens Boots, Papa Johns, AT&T), Team One (Lexus, Indian Motorcycles), Grenadier (Sierra Trading Post)

Chief Idea Officer/Chief Creative Officer Barkley: August 2010-January 2015

Clients: DQ, Sprint, Spirit Airlines, Quiznos, Cargill, Target, Coleman, Krispy Kreme

ECD, Director Digital Development GreyNYC: 2008-2010

Clients:GSK, Penguin Books, TED Conference initiatives, Canon Cameras, Obama 2008 campaign 

ECD Leo Burnett Detroit: 2005-2008

Clients: Cadillac, Pontiac, Mr. GoodWrench

Creative Director Chiat\Day: 2000-2005

Clients: Nissan, Energizer, Sony PlayStation, Pennzoil, Indian Motorcycles, Infiniti, Adidas, Harman/Kardon

Art Center College of Design Associate Professor: 2000-2004

Classes: Beyond Advertising – storytelling across mediums, Dumbing up – The high art of the low concept

Senior Writer WongDoody: 1997-2000

Clients: adidas, Fox Sports Net, Del Taco, MGM

Other stuff:

Eagle Scout

U.S. Navy veteran

Leader TEDxNY 2007-2010

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldmckinney/