You've found yourself at the front door step of an ad dork with 15 years experience producing work across every platform at a wide range of agencies across this complicated country of ours for an even wider range of brands. But that can all be found on Linkedin if you have an appetite for it.
You're here to meet the meat/man behind the work.
CREATIVELY...
I believe brands should deeply consider and act upon the needs, desires and precedents of the people they serve, but I don't feel like they should try to relate to us. Simply put, it's not their place, because brands aren't people. And we're (consumers) not so naive as to believe it. Brands are symbols of our aspirational needs and desires. Like a dream, a portrait or a film. So that's the way they should speak to us and provoke our emotions. Heightened, not same. Ads are a brief escape into 'what could be'. Not 'what is'.
When I was first getting started in advertising, I looked to awards annuals and Cannes winners for inspiration. Now that I have developed my own voice, style, taste and discipline for craft, I mostly look for inspiration anywhere but advertising. Including, but not limited to:
—Museums
—Thrift and antique shops and flea markets
—Nature
—Learning new skills/taking classes
—Films x documentaries
—European automotive design and car/racing culture
—Reading
—Running
—Therapy
—Music (Listening. Sadly, I'm not musically gifted.
Ask my partner.)
—Travel
—Silence/Solitude
—Listening to other people's stories
PERSONALLY...
I am of Italian and German stock. This 'explains some things', as some have said. It explains my ferocious passion for what and who I love. My proclivity to be direct and straight forward at necessary times. And my desire for a balance of order and (controlled) chaos. I am also a Libra. So. Ta daaa!
Like you, I am an amalgamation of my experiences, successes and failures. More than that, I am a work in progress.
For the past 5 years, I've been focusing a lot on improving my mental health, being more self aware and being motivated by kindness instead of niceness toward others. I'm happy to discern between the two and talk with you about the rigors I've pursued at a later time if you like. ;-)
Beyond self improvement, I am keenly aware of my privilege as a cisgender, white male and the responsibility that comes with that. The responsibility to act and aid in the elevation of voices and perspectives of those who have historically been ignored, denigrated or dismissed by people with my similar features and characteristics.
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Thank you for reading. I hope to sit down with you and hear your story one day.
-Eric
817-908-7979
EXPERIENCE
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Agency Work:
The clients I have worked for include Meta, Microsoft, lululemon, Mutual of Omaha, Las Vegas Tourism, Western Digital, ULTA Beauty, Hanes Hosiery, L'Eggs Auntie Anne's Pretzels, T-Mobile, Aflac, American Girl, KinderCare,
H&R Block, Silk Almond Milk, Corona Extra, Corona Hard Seltzer, Porsche, Edward Jones, Cedar Fair Theme and Water Parks,Tropicana and Naked juices, New Business.
Volunteer Work:
I was a board member and the Creative Director for Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA).
In this role, I oversee and currently create the majority of CIMA's creative content. Most recently, their social media output, mentorship program logo redesign and the design/treatment of the organization's new website that is launching on March 31. I started as a creative consultant and was responsible for designing the new logo, branding system and development of brand standards and voice.
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Awards:
I've received some rewards along the way and have had work that was featured in AdWeek and AdAge's Top 5 Super Bowl spots (SB LII), started a Twitter battle between two rival CEOs, got nice words written about it in Rolling Stone, USA Today, US Weekly, CNBC and created work that saved the royal family from certain doom.
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The agencies I have made work for:
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Freelance (ACD-AD)
Jan 2023 — Present
VML (ACD-AD) / Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee Member)
2021 — 2023
Cramer-Krasselt (Senior Art Director / Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee Member)
2018 — 2021
Fallon (Senior Art Director)
2017 — 2018
Saatchi & Saatchi (Senior Art Director)
2015 — 2017
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MullenLowe (Art Director)
2014 — 2015
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R&R Partners (Art Director)
2011 — 2014
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VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA)
Creative Director and Board Member: 2021— 2023
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Art Buddies
Creative mentor for school-aged children primarily from minority communities
and families in Minneapolis, MN.