Category Archives: Denver

Sam Podolsky

Sam is a brand new copywriter after graduating from Denver Ad School. (Congrats, Sam!) What’s more fun than seeing a student portfolio right after graduation? Nothing. Nothing is more fun. Don’t miss Sam’s terrifying “Killer” campaign for Listerine (above). Perfect for fans of true crime. And fresh breath!

Portfolio: sam-podolsky.com

David Jarvis

David is a senior copywriter at Barkley in Denver. Since his last post on MC back on 08.30.2019, he’s been busy (including a move from Motive to Barkley). His updated site now features “celebrity cameos, meat-scented spa products and in-theatre entertainment that transformed into campy culture fodder.” (Nice.) It also features Pepsi Summergram—for which David wrote over 3,000 summer puns. Hello, dream project. Even if they only printed 50 of them.

Portfolio: davidthewriter.com

Copywriter Wanted: AOR Denver

Chelsea Spain, HR & Operations Manager for AOR, is on the hunt for a copywriter to join their team in Denver. From AOR:

We’re looking for a talented, smart and slightly seasoned (two to three years experience) Copywriter to join our team. Are you someone who loves mining a brief and finding emotional nuggets of truth that speak to people and change their perceptions? Are you a born storyteller who can captivate audiences by entertaining and enlightening them? Oh, and are you a hell of a hand when it comes to headlines and copy? If so, we should talk…like right now.

Seriously.

At AOR, We put people first. We love what we do. And we work damn hard doing it. We’re a down-to-earth team that believes collaboration builds great brands, candid conversation creates strong teams, and that life is too short for inflated egos. We’re a group of multi-talented and multi-faceted individuals, working in branding, marketing, digital, video and more. For us , work-life balance isn’t just a thing we talk about to attract potential new-hires, it’s a principle that we invest in and prove with our flexible PTO policy and hybrid office model. Because of this, we prioritize people with excellent communication skills and the superpowers of teamwork via phone, Slack, email, text and other modes we may dream up. Since we are all building this agency together, we offer a company-wide profit-sharing program that rewards employees for the hard work they’ve done and the positive impact they’ve made on our growth and success as an agency. We look for people who jump at opportunity and embrace change to bring new ideas to our team, and who share our commitment to bringing community and connection in everything we do and everything we touch. At AOR we value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from minorities and marginalized peoples.

As a Copywriter, You Will

  • Write smart, sparkling, on-strategy short and long form copy
  • Be responsible for writing brilliant branding and marvelous messaging platforms
  • Tell engaging brand stories in all types of media including but not limited to: digital and traditional ads, emails, landing pages, websites, and print collateral
  • Distill and translate complex, and sometimes technical, ideas into digestible, relatable content for various target audiences and mediums
  • Use different tones and voices reflective of each client’s brand and target market
  • Present ideas clearly and professionally to both internal and external clients
  • Collaborate with team members to create innovative ideas and see them through to completion
  • Be flexible in approaching all types of content creation

Qualifications

  • 3+ years as a content writer/copywriter in a marketing, communications, or advertising environment
  • A bachelor’s degree or Ad school program – copywriter track program
  • An impressive portfolio of work displaying a strong writing background in a variety of mediums Outstanding written and verbal skills
  • Detail-oriented, organized and resourceful
  • A proactive attitude and an open outlook
  • Motivated and resilient under tight deadlines
  • A problem-solver and team player
  • Able to juggle multiple projects at once
  • Pays meticulous attention to correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
  • Displays knowledge of SEO, paid search and social media strategy
  • Supports AOR’s values of Believe in We, Keep It Real, Dare To, and Own It

Salary Range

  • $60 – $70K base annual salary
  • Salary will be based on previous experience.

A Few Perks to Note

  • Company profit sharing: At AOR, we believe we’re all in this together. That’s why we give 25% of AOR’s profits back to employees when we hit our quarterly goals as an agency.
  • Flexible PTO: AOR believes that your life outside the agency is as important as your life inside the agency. Flexible PTO gives our employees the power to take time off as works best for them and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
  • Flex work schedule/ Hybrid office: Our values led us to embrace a hybrid model that allows for flexibility, trust, and invigoration of our passions. We support AORians to manage their schedule and allow people (the client and employees) to determine where to work and how often to be at home or in the office.
  • Ten paid holidays, plus your birthday, and office closed from December 24th until January 1st
  • Education and conference program/career development opportunities ● Generous parental leave
  • Health, dental and vision insurance
  • Supplemental accident and life insurance
  • Wellness program
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Dependent Care Account (DCA)
  • Short & long-term disability and life insurance provided to all employees
  • 401(k)
  • Agency Membership to Ad Club Colorado
  • Equipment Provided: laptop, monitor and any necessary equipment to complete your position’s duties
  • Dog-friendly office
  • Free parking, secure bike parking & mass transit reimbursement
  • Company outings + events
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Stocked bar + kitchen
  • Great Golden Triangle location (all the perks of Downtown, but with better parking)

For more info or to apply, click here.

Denver Ad School Grads

Heather Vanisko, co-founder/education director at Denver Ad School, checks in with the portfolio links of a whole bunch of new copywriter, art director, designer/illustrator, and strategist grads. Check ’em out at the links below and, in Heather’s words, “HIRE THEM.” Ha!

Copywriters

Art Directors

Designers/Illustrators

Strategists

Copywriter Wanted: Vladimir Jones, Denver

Kathy Guetlein, HR Manager at Vladimir Jones, is on the hunt for a mid-level copywriter to join their team in Denver. From Vladimir Jones:

Good with words? Good with concepts? Great with people? Let’s talk.

Overview:

The Mid-Level Copywriter (CW) is responsible for concepting, creating and participating in the production of creative work. Working closely with art directors, designers, developers and other creative resources—as well as other agency staff–the CW creates work that solves business problems, commands attention, provokes response, and represents the agency well; all within the appropriate time and budget parameters. This position is based in Denver and is paying between $58,000-$67,000.

Responsibilities:

  • Translates creative brief into ideas, concepts, words and pictures that will engage target audiences and effectively execute on strategy.
  • Understands business imperatives of clients, and utilizes them as a catalyst for creative work, not a barrier.
  • Knows the rules of English grammar, syntax and usage, enabling him/her to break them with grace and authority.
  • Takes a holistic view of clients, projects and creative opportunities, to create innovative work that challenges the client, pushes the category, yet responsibly delivers on the strategy.
  • Good at finding and using the appropriate “voice” for every brand.
  • The CW should be his/her own toughest critic; never settling for the first idea, the safe idea, the obvious idea, pushing and polishing their own work and those of the team. Never afraid to start over if necessary.
  • Understands production realities to ensure that work can be as brilliant in execution as it is in concept.
  • Nurtures a pathological dislike for the boring and the mediocre; shoots for spectacular successes and failures (successes preferred).
  • Capable of concepting/writing for all media, with a broad understanding of each.
  • Collaborates well with all members of the team; shows empathy for other roles but is a champion and an advocate for the creative perspective.
  • Strives to meet assigned schedules and deadlines; is communicative when deadlines are in jeopardy and/or extensions are needed.
  • Works closely with Art Director, collaborating, concepting, executing, polishing, starting over, arguing, enabling, line dancing, hiding bodies, etc.
  • Can effectively articulate the “why” behind his/her creative choices and decisions; if called upon, can present the work to the greater team or client.
  • Accepts notes and feedback gracefully, rewrites to address concerns while still remaining invested in the work.
  • Capable of occasionally sketching out rough ad concepts on a napkin or a tablet or whatever, and pretends not to mind when the Art Director makes fun of it (although later, when he/she is alone, a single tear will travel down his/her ruddy cheek because words can hurt, dammit).
  • Stays current on technology, and is fluent/skilled in the latest applications needed to do the job.
  • Writes thirty second scripts that actually run thirty seconds.
  • Is engaged in the advertising industry on a global basis; a “student of the game” who understands the latest trends/technologies, and applies them to client work here.

Desired Qualities:

  • Should want to create things that nobody has done before.
  • Should be engaged in popular culture; art, music, film, etc.
  • Should understand that this is a real business which requires doing time sheets, being on time, wearing pants, etc.
  • Should solve ten problems for every one he/she creates.
  • Must accept notes/feedback gracefully.
  • Never uses six words when three will do.
  • Willingness to become a great presenter of the work.
  • Steadfast belief that great strategic work can also be brilliant creative work.
  • Must have the ability to argue with others and still stay friends.
  • Respect others at the agency who don’t have as awesome a job as CW.

Education/Experience/Other requirements:

  • Three to five years related experience
  • BA or BS Degree
  • Verbal and written fluency in English with strong grasp of language anomalies
  • Ability to write effectively and persuasively
  • Ability to read and follow through on client and creative direction

For more info or to apply, email your resume and portfolio to Kathy at hireme@vladimirjones.com.

Denver Ad School: Winter 2021 Grads

Ready for some fresh student portfoios? The latest Denver Ad School grads are ready for you. From DAD: “These were the last creatives standing out of our second-ever finishing quarter, Winter 2021. They rose to the challenge and displayed the kind of resiliency that will make them all contributors on day-one in whatever agency is lucky enough to land them.” Can’t wait to see where they go!

Check ’em out here: denveradschool.com/portfolios

Senior Copywriter Wanted: Sukle Advertising & Design, Denver

Sukle Advertising & Design in Denver is on the hunt for a senior copywriter. From Sukle:

We’re looking for that one-in-a-million writer. Someone whose immense skills and talents are only overshadowed by their pleasant personality. Someone who doesn’t start a presentation with “this is going to be really funny.” Someone who can say a lot, with a little. We’re looking for a writer who has given brands a voice all their own. Someone who’s fearless and smart, capable of convincing a room full of doubters. A writer with at least 8+ years of experience and is the kind of person we can spend long hours with. (Even if that is over Zoom for the foreseeable future.)

Sukle is a creative agency based in Denver, Colorado. We’ve been told we punch way above our weight. That’s because we’re an incredibly flat organization, where everyone plays a critical role in the work. We believe ideas can change the world. And we have a portfolio of case histories to prove it. If you want to help drive disproportionate results for some of the nicest clients you’ll ever meet, reach out. We can’t wait to meet you.

Responsibilities

  • Bring a voice to a variety of interesting brands.
  • Work with art directors/designers to conceive and produce highly creative solutions to business problems.
  • Write award-winning work in a variety of mediums, which includes broadcast, digital, social, out-of-home, non-traditional, collateral and the occasional print ad.
  • Be meticulous with your writing, editing and proofreading.
  • Work within budgets to create effective and award-winning work.
  • Collaborate with and foster healthy, productive and trusting relationships with other agency creatives, account people, producers, planners, clients and partners.
  • Present and sell ideas to agency teammates, clients and partners.

If you think you’d be a good fit, send your resume and book to hr@sukle.com and tell us why we should hire you.

Sukle is committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. You be you. And that will make our work and agency the best it can be.

Denver Ad School: Debut Pioneers

After 14 months, Denver Ad School’s “debut pioneers” portfolios are here! On Thursday, January 28, they’re hosting a virtual hangout where you can hear each graduate walk you through their favorite campaign and ask ’em questions. How cool is that? Cool. Links to portfolios and RSVP for the event are below.

Check out their portfolios here:

Hayley Lyons (copywriter): hayleyjlyons.com

Emily Devery (copywriter): emilydevery.com

Alisha Benda (copywriter): alishabenda.com

Gaby Strnad (art director): gabystrnad.com

Riley Draper (art director): rileydraper.com

Graciela Robertson (art director): graciela-png.com

Trisha Knope (art director): triciaknope.com

Sabrina Saccente (art director): sabrinasaccente.com

RSVP for January 18th here.

Denver Ad School site here.

Copywriter Wanted: Cactus, Denver

Erin Conrad, Talent Relations Manager at Cactus in Denver (check out their site here), is on the hunt for a copywriter to join their team. From Cactus:

Cactus is a small, independent agency creating innovative, bold, and imaginative work for a growing list of great clients. We believe small agency creativity and ingenuity can solve the world’s biggest problems, and we’ve been proving it for the last 30 years.

We’re looking for a Copywriter to join our team of fearless creative professionals who are committed to creating unexpected, insightful, and compelling brand ideas, actions, campaigns, and communications. To be seriously considered, candidates will have roughly 2-5 years of agency experience and an exceptional portfolio of work that displays superior conceptual problem-solving skills, strong headlines, well-written copy, and the ability to produce integrated creative efforts across a variety of tactical applications.

At Cactus, we value your personality and character just as much as your work, so to join our team you’ll need to be someone who is unwaveringly collaborative, tenaciously solution-oriented, and contagiously optimistic. We embrace big challenges and strive to make every project we touch into something great. If you’re wired the same way, and you can prove it, get in touch. You just might be the one we’re looking for.

Send resume and portfolio to: careers@cactusinc.com

David Jarvis

David is a copywriter at Motive in Denver. All kinds of killer projects on his site including Pepsi global (above) and Pepsi Summergram (awesome), Planned Parenthood, MTN DEW x Game of Thrones, Presidents Day (oh damn), Zippo, and a bunch more. In a previous life, David was a DJ—don’t miss the station promos he created on his “Not Work” page. Good times.

Portfolio: davidthewriter.com

Senior Copywriter Wanted: Sukle Advertising & Design

Sukle Advertising & Design is on the hunt for a senior copywriter. From Sukle: “We are a small, award-winning and creatively driven agency based in Denver, Colorado. We’re hunting for a skilled writer, driven to concept and execute exceptional work. Someone who’s fearless and smart, capable of convincing a room full of doubters. Someone with at least 6+ years of experience and a personality we can spend long hours with.

Responsibilities

  • Work in creative partnership with art directors/designers to conceive and produce highly creative solutions to business problems.
  • Write award winning work for a variety of mediums, which includes broadcast, digital, non-traditional, print and collateral.
  • Be meticulous with your writing, editing and proofreading.
  • Create and execute consistent and engaging brands for our clients.
  • Work within budgets to create effective and award-winning work.
  • Collaborate with and foster healthy, productive and trusting relationships with other agency creatives, account people, producers, planners, clients and partners.
  • Develop smart, insightful creative rationale for your ideas.
  • Present and sell ideas to agency teammates, clients and partners.
  • Consistently write content for Sukle blog, newsletters, etc.
  • Become one of the go-to people at the agency.

Sukle is committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. You be you. And that will make our work and agency the best it can be.

If you think you’d be a good fit, send your book to: hr@sukle.com

Copywriter Wanted: Cactus, Denver

Erin Conrad, Talent Relations Manager at Cactus in Denver (check out their site here), is on the hunt for a copywriter to join their team. From Cactus:

Cactus is a small agency doing innovative, bold and imaginative work for a growing list of great clients. We aim to make our work and our portfolios better every day, with every project, and we’re committed to developing thought-provoking ideas and executions that make our corner of the planet a better place to live, work and play. We’re looking for someone with outstanding talent and tireless passion to help us further our mission and add to our agency mojo.

To be seriously considered, candidates will have roughly 2-5 years of agency experience and an exceptional portfolio of work that displays superior conceptual ideation skills, strong headlines, well-written copy and the ability to produce integrated campaigns across digital, video and 2D media. At Cactus, we value your personality and character just as much as your work, so you’ll also need to be someone with a collaborative, team-centric spirit, a solution-oriented mindset, and someone who strives to make every project into something great.

If that’s you, get in touch. You just might be the one we’re looking for.

Send resume and portfolio to: careers@cactusinc.com

Denver Ad School

Jesse Alkire, copywriter/CD in Denver (featured on MC back on 08.18.16, jessealkire.com), checks in with a big announcement. The new Denver Ad School is up and running.

From the DAD site: “A new school for explorers and risk-takers. Out west, nestled up against Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, sits a lone creative outpost. A place for the curious and the willing to discover how far their creativity can take them. To get here takes an audacious will, but any good creative knows that nothing interesting ever came out of playing it safe.

Before you seek us out, though, ask yourself one question — are you in search of an ordinary advertising school… or are you in search of adventure?”

Announcement here: denveradschool.com/2019-apr-23-dad-launch

Site here: denveradschool.com

Can’t wait to see the first set of grad portfolios!

Shea Tullos

Shea is a senior copywriter at Cactus in Denver. Since his last post on MC (back on 02.05.16, almost exactly three years ago), he’s been busy—and making the most of the cool opportunities he’s getting at Cactus. Lots of new Colorado Lottery TV work and the commercial debut of KC’s Patrick Mahomes (who should have been in yesterday’s Super Bowl, ahem) for CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Definitely time for an update.

Portfolio: sheatullos.com

Copywriter Wanted: Cactus, Denver

cactus

Erin Conrad, Talent Manager at Cactus in Denver, is also on the hunt for a Copywriter. (See previous post for open Junior Art Director position.) Love it.

From Cactus: “Cactus is a small agency doing innovative, bold and imaginative work for a growing list of great clients. We aim to make our work and our portfolios better every day, with every project, and we’re committed to developing thought-provoking ideas and executions that make our corner of the planet a better place to live, work and play. We’re looking for someone with outstanding talent and tireless passion to help us further our mission and add to our agency mojo.

To be seriously considered, candidates will have roughly 2-5 years of agency experience and an exceptional portfolio of work that displays superior conceptual ideation skills, strong headlines, well-written copy and the ability to produce integrated campaigns across digital, video and 2D media. At Cactus, we value your personality and character just as much as your work, so you’ll also need to be someone with a collaborative, team-centric spirit, a solution-oriented mindset, and someone who strives to make every project into something great.

If that’s you, get in touch. You just might be the one we’re looking for.”
Send resume and portfolio to: careers@cactusinc.com

Paul Suggett

Bankers

Paul is a freelance copywriter/CD in Denver (last featured on MC way back on 02.08.2012). He’s got a killer portfolio site with all kinds of cool work including lots of entertainment projects from his time at Starz, but it was his stock photo headline site, Stoccopy, that was forwarded to MC from designer/CD at Noise13, Peter Judd (big ups, Peter!). Paul’s description at the top of the site: “Crappy stock headlines for crappy stock photos. You’re welcome.” So bad. So good. Links to both sites below.

Paul’s portfolio site: psuggett.com

Stoccopy: stoccopy.com

Michael Tully

coors

Michael is a senior copywriter at Unbridled in Denver, previously at The Integer Group. Good copywriting is all about taking advantage of opportunities to tell good stories, whether that’s in a Super Bowl spot or on a bar coaster. Michael went all out on a series of the latter for Coors (above), aimed at showing off Colorado pride. And now MC is a little bit smarter.

Portfolio: cargocollective.com/tullywood

Ricky Lambert

pencil

Ricky is a senior copywriter at Suckle in Denver. All kinds of smart work on his site including projects for Lottery Scratchers and some killer outdoor boards (don’t miss his first project for Colorado Crisis Services, awesome). Because this is MC, we had to feature Ricky’s side project “The Idea-O-Meter” (above) because it’s just so perfectly copywriter. And so true.

Portfolio: rickylambertdotcomwastaken.com

Robert Borges

tyranny

Robert is a freelance copywriter/CD in Denver. One of MC’s favorite things about running MC is getting to see the different paths that writers take to becoming awesome writers & CDs. From Robert: “I’ve lived some life, been some places, worked mostly in the ad biz on some cool brands, at some cool shops. I’m a classic late bloomer: graduated college @27, took up fishing @28, snowboarding @32, Harley Riding @37, currently mastering the nuances of FB community management.” Yup. That’s how you do it.

Portfolio: rborgescreative.com

CW Wanted: Sukle, Denver

copywriter

Michon Schmidt, Senior Producer at Sukle in Denver, is on the hunt for a copywriter. From Michon: “In a recent feature, CA wrote that Sukle punches above its weight. We’re looking for a writer that can do the same. If you have 7+ years of agency experience, and a book with work we’ve seen in some annuals, we want to meet you. Send your book to hr@sukle.com and tell us why we should hire you. Salary commensurate with experience.”

Send your book and tell ’em why they should hire you: hr@sukle.com

ACD/CW Wanted: Motive, Denver

Motive2

Krista Molloy, Director of Talent Management at Motive, Denver is on the hunt for an ACD/Creative Conceptor/Copywriter. From Krista: “Motive is an agency and creative studio focusing on the development of integrated creative platforms and executional programs. We’re a collective of deep thinkers, artistic mavens, executional top guns and cultural connoisseurs. We are focused on creating relationships through deep levels of engagement between brands and their consumers – relationships that translate into tangible results for our clients. And we do it with sharp creative, across a range of tactical channels.

As pioneers in the area of content, digital consumer engagement, and innovative experiential programs, and award winners in the areas of TV, event, digital and social – Motive has created an environment where team members are given an opportunity to stretch and flex their creative and executional muscles daily. We are a team of hard-working, fast-moving, energetic, passionate, driven, straight-talking creative thinkers. We like being challenged and we love the collaboration necessary to succeed.

If this sounds like a place you would thrive, let’s make something happen.

Role

As ACD – Creative Conceptor and Copywriter at Motive you will provide overall leadership to creative teams and play an integral, hands-on role in developing the creative strategy and vision for a broad spectrum of clients and projects. In our highly collaborative environment, you will work alongside cross-functional team members and will be directly responsible for producing work as well as managing work done by others, guiding creative development from concept to completion. Your conceptual skills will be critical components in both winning new business as well as delivering best-in-class creative platforms and tactical programs for some of the most iconic, forward-thinking brands. Your copywriting skills will help bring ideas to life, for both client presentations and consumer facing finished products.

Job Responsibilities: 

  • Collaboratively and independently develop conceptual platforms and integrated campaigns that align with clients’ strategic business objectives.
  • Play a key role in developing creative for current big name brands and new business pitches
  • Direct and manage multidisciplinary creative teams.
  • Organize and oversee creative projects in both non-traditional and traditional arenas.
  • Participate in and/or lead concepting and ideation sessions.
  • Write copy for a variety of needs including but not limited to creative concepts, presentations, digital content, TVC, OOH
  • Deftly juggle multiple projects while inspiring and motivating both your creative teammates and clients.
  • Take charge of various projects and see them through from start to finish, including hands-on development and execution.

Candidate Requirements: 

  • 7+ years agency experience.
  • Hands-on approach to the creative process.
  • Strong creative and conceptual vision with the ability to execute highly-integrated campaigns.
  • Strong creative writing skills – for short and long form storytelling
  • Ability to lead, coach, inspire and motivate teams to deliver innovative and impactful work.
  • Highly collaborative approach to ideation and problem solving.
  • Exceptional communication skills and experience in presenting work to both internal and external partners.
  • Ability to complete multiple tasks and projects with tight deadlines as well as manage projects from start to finish.
  • A passion for collaboration with cross-functional team members.
  • Strong experience on large cross-channel initiatives and creative platforms.
  • A knack for strategic brainstorming, campaign development, creative brief development and creative execution.
  • Portfolio of work demonstrating strengths in concepting and creative development.”

For more info or to apply, email Krista at: krista.molloy@thinkmotive.com