One of the great things about clicking through VCU student books is that you never know what you’re gonna find. Joe’s got under-label fold-out stories for Hellmann’s (above), taxi tops for Greyhound, funky video for Airwick, and the Patbenetaur—you’ll just have to find that one for yourself. Can’t wait to see where Joe lands after graduation.
Portfolio: joehartley.pizza
No two copywriters become copywriters the same way. Check out Emma’s “Life Highlights” page and you’ll learn that she started in Nanjing, China, moved to Vancouver, Canada, undergrad at University of British Columbia, summer dishwasher in Osaka, Japan, then three novels, The Great Wall, Popeye’s Chicken, Empire State Building, VCU Brandcenter, and here we are today. Ta-da!
Portfolio: emmadou.com
VCU Brandcenter Week 2015 kicks off with Maddy Trebenski. The awesome thing about student portfolios is that they’re, well, student portfolios. You can do anything, for any client. Maddy’s got stop-motion videos for Tim Hortons, a game for Twirl-A-Squirrel (OMG buying one immediately), packaging for Happy Socks, creepy ear love for Sennheiser, and other weird stuff including a seance with a Pretty Pony from Dollar Tree (above). As it should be.
Portfolio: madeleinetrebenski.com
Jeff is a senior writer/ACD at Cossette Chicago. Since his last post on MC (01.30.14), he moved from Jacobson Rost to Cossette, made a new site, and added new work—including a bunch for McDonald’s. MC wonders: How do copywriters who work on McDonald’s avoid eating McDonald’s all the time? Or is that just MC? Arrrg.
Portfolio: jeffoswaldwriter.com
Huge is on the hunt for a copywriter in their D.C. office, which is growing like crazy. From Huge: “Copywriters at Huge are driven to craft innovative copy solutions – people who are enthusiastic about language and critique subway ads on the way to the office. They understand that users’ time is limited and space constraints are always a concern and write copy accordingly. Our writers create content, digital media and concepts for a wide variety of users and user needs, while collaborating daily with designers, strategy and UX. They understand and anticipate the needs and concerns of their team members so they can come up with kick-ass copy that rises above those challenges. Our copywriters understand that cutting copy down is just as important to this job as writing (great) copy in the first place. They are confident in their abilities and believe in the writing they produce, and they can represent the writer’s (and reader’s) perspective in work sessions and review. Our clients come from a wide variety of backgrounds and a copywriter should be able to adjust their writing accordingly – one day you may be creating copy for a fast-food chain, the next a financial institution. Don’t just have a strong voice; have a lot of them.
What we’d like to see:
For more info or to apply: Click here
Kimberly Easley, Director of Talent Acquisition at VML in Kansas City, is on the hunt for a CD or ACD. From Kimberly: “VML Kansas City is looking for a CD or ACD to head up one of our award-winning, always on, social media teams.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about social media. An energetic, strategic and conceptual thinker with experience writing and creating daily social content for brands that post across a host of social media channels. Day to day, you will be running a team, managing and motivating people, reviewing posts, creative directing, presenting to the client, maintaining the social feeds, and pitching in to concept and write. The rest of the time, you will be a visionary: Someone who can take daily social content to the next level, try new things, and be the creative expert and thought leader for the social media properties of a national brand that wants to be famous for social media. If this sounds like fun, let us know.
VML is a full-service idea agency that thrives where grounded solutions meet the blue sky of possibilities. We’ve been voted one of the 25 best places to work in America three times, and we have partnered with some of the most recognizable brands in the world. And with a couple of decades under our belt, our trophy case is getting pretty full too.
Part of the WPP Group, VML offers one of the best overall compensation packages in the business. Headquartered in Kansas City, VML is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, visit www.vml.com.”
Email Kimberly at: kimberly.easley@vml.com
Steve Landsberg, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Grok in NYC, is on the hunt for a copywriter. From Steve:
“You: A copywriter frustrated with your assignments, layers, and lack of productivity. You have around 2 to 4 years experience in an ad agency. You’re a conceptual thinker, fluent in both digital and traditional. You’re smart, ambitious, collaborative, and nice. You can write insightful headlines for print, and long copy for the web.
Us: Grok is an INC.500/5000 fastest growing company with integrated assignments from a broad range of clients categories including IT, health & wellness, medical devices, residential heating & cooling, and philanthropy. We will keep you busy, productive, challenged, inspired, and plied with snacks.”
For more info or to apply, contact Steve at: Steve@groknyc.com
Rich is a copywriter/ACD at Downtown Partners Chicago. Since his last post on MC five years ago (04.03.10, has it really been that long?), Rich has spent time at Cramer-Krasselt as the lead writer on Porsche—I really hope that means he got to drive one for free—and then moved to Downtown Partners. And took his Cayman with him??
Portfolio: cargocollective.com/brightblack
Ana is a bilingual copywriter at mcgarrybowen in Chicago. Don’t miss the very last project on her site titled: “If you want to know about me, chat now with my ex-boss from the previous agency. He’s a bold guy.” MC tried it. Is that cat really responding? Think so!
Portfolio: anakarinadasilva.com
Who wants to be a copywriter in Chile? On wine and spirits brands? Yes, please! DAf (dafwork.com), a small, independent agency located in Santiago, Chile, is on the hunt for a Junior and Mid-level Copywriter. From DAf: “If you’re a kick-ass, (semi-) bilingual writer who secretly dreams of: living abroad, wine (yes wine …), or both, send us your book! As an agency, we’re fully dedicated to creating content for wine and spirits brands around the globe.
Requirements:
Benefits:
Here you can see a portfolio example of an american Creative Director working at DAf: nicksotolongo.com.”
For more info and/or to apply email us: creative@daf.cl
Kim is a new copywriter at FCB Chicago after graduating from Chicago Portfolio School. So cool to see her student portfolio right after graduation—and then get to see it again in a year or two, after some time at FCB. Can’t wait to see what she does!
Portfolio: kimberlyrsheffield.com
Joe is a copywriter at Super Top Secret in Salt Lake City. Two and a half years into his copywriting career (without ad school experience), he’s put together a fun portfolio of killer clients like Peligroso Tequila (above), Quicksilver, Powder Mountain, Gold’s Gym, and University of Utah. Good times.
Portfolio: joeshaner.com
Chris is a junior copywriter at GSD&M in Austin. The first project in his portfolio is an adorbs holiday spot for Walgreens called “Cookies For Santa.” MC’s favorite part? The minivan cranking a spinout into its parking space out front of a Walgreens. Which means they had to hire a professional stunt driver to do that. Which is just rad.
Portfolio: cargocollective.com/digitalbriefcase
Bryan is a writer at Venables Bell in San Francisco. Since his last post on MC (4.23.12), he moved to Venables from Leo Burnett Chicago and added new work to his site, including Audi and Skyy Vodka. Love the Audi spot (above). That’s exactly what the world is going to be like once Amazon starts using drones for delivery. Unfortunately, MC only has a Honda. Yikes!
Portfolio: cargocollective.com/bryankarr
Stephen is a copywriter/CD at Ogilvy in NYC. Since his last post on MC (06.15.10), he moved to Ogilvy from Gotham and added a bunch of new work to his site—including the web series “Always Open” for Denny’s (above, from Gotham) with Dave Koechner, featuring comedians like Will Arnett, Amy Poehler and Sarah Silverman. Dig it.
Portfolio: stephenlundberg.com
Trozzolo Communications Group in Kansas City is on the hunt for a Senior Copywriter. (MC can smell the KC BBQ from here. Mmm!) From Trozzolo:
“We build our team into the best by working with the best. Which means finding the best. Specifically, you – the best senior copywriter we need to meet. A talented ad creative with a writer-callused mind and a gift for weaving gold out of creative briefs. You mix strategy, insights and mandatories to produce creative that’s fresh, award-worthy and on-target. You know the difference between conversational copy and term paper grammar. You prefer the former and reject the latter. You have a passion for the business even after seven to 10 years writing in it. You’re self-directed, but take direction admirably. You’re a quick study. You see every project as an opportunity and greatness as its reward. Your versatility rivals duct tape. You can concept and write ads, collateral, broadcast, digital, news articles, content, guerilla and cat. Yes, cat. But you know that cats, while amusing, clog your Facebook feed. So you avoid them. You at least avoid concepting them.
As a team member, you’ll report to our executive creative director, who lugs every creative award behind him, from National Addys to CA to One Show to Cannes. He’ll make you better. Your book will thank you.
You team up. Writer/art director partnerships are key here and you thrive in them (you may even have an art director partner we’d consider). Speaking of art direction, you get it and think visually, too. You take a leadership role in the creative process from concept to completion. You care about the flow of your craft, sweating the flavor of every headline, subhead, byline, sentence and paragraph. All while nailing deadlines and strategy. Fast turns and bigger campaigns and projects will fill your plate, so efficiency and time management are key. As is presenting your work, which you do through all phases. Also, you get bored working on the same stuff. You won’t here. Finally, you’ve read every word of this and it was kinda like reading your own bio. Let’s talk.
Trozzolo Communications Group is a marketing communications agency that takes pride in our top talent, strategic thinking and award-winning creative. Our clients are many and we like that. It makes us, and our jobs, more stable. We’re growth-oriented. In fact, it’s all we do. We’ve never experienced a down year in 26 years. Our unique culture is based on relationships and teamwork. We’re a competitive bunch. We work hard to make each other better. Collaboration rules here. Fun reigns. And growth resounds.”
Please send letter, portfolio link and resume to: careers@trozzolo.com
Nick is a copywriter/CD at DAf in Santiago, Chile. A couple of weeks back, MC featured a copywriter job post for DAf and it included a link to Nick’s site as an example of what an American copywriter can do in Chile. Namely, drink a lot of great wine and do a bunch of fun work. Awesome.
Portfolio: nicksotolongo.com
Yama is a copywriter/acd at Phenomenon in Los Angeles. Since his last post on MC (way back on 06.10.11), he’s worked at a couple of new shops, built a new Squarespace site, and added a whole bunch of new work to his portfolio. Time for an update!
Portfolio: yamarahyar.com
Janelle is a copywriter/editor at Opening Ceremony in NYC. Crazy mix of projects in her portfolio, from Tweets for Warby Parker to photos/posts for Paul Evans (above) to all kinds of social media stuff for others. Sometimes you click through a portfolio and you can just feel good energy bubbling up through the work. Janelle likes what she does, and it shows. Dig it.
Portfolio: janelleanne.com
Tom is a freelance copywriter in NYC, previously at Droga5 and BBDO. Lots of good stuff on his site for FedEx, including genius pre-roll spots (above) encouraging watchers to press the skip button. Why didn’t I think of that?!?! Arrrg. NICE.
Portfolio: tommandelismy.name
Mike is a freelance copywriter in San Francisco. Since his last post on MC (07.08.11), he’s added Cheetos, Netflix and Comcast to his site, worked at GS&P for a couple of years, and freelanced at Muh-tay-zuhk Hoffer, Cutwater, Heat, and Eleven Inc. (Busy!) Mike’s also written and directed a short film called “Steve’s Problem” which just premiered online after 16 film fests and two “best narrative short” wins. Check it out on the “Film” section of his site.
Portfolio: mikelarswhite.com
Fabulous San Francisco agency (and good friends of MC) Hub Strategy & Communication is on the hunt for an ACD/writer (open to a senior writer, too). You want this job. From Hub: “We are looking for an ACD/Writer. The slash is in there because we need you to be an amazing creative director and an amazing writer — we can tell the difference.
We work on fun projects with fun clients and fun people. We need you to be one of those people. We also need you to be a person who takes their craft very seriously and is able to bring smart, thoughtful, strategic, and many times funny words to the page. You will be working with the other creative directors at Hub to bring ideas to life. You will be managing a team of talented creatives. You need to be nice to clients, because you will be all up in client meetings. You need to be organized because you’ll be busy. You need to like sandwiches.
If you check out our site (hubsanfrancisco.com), you’ll see that we pride ourselves on our writing and if you see work that feels like the kind of work you want to be doing, give us a shout.”
Send your link to: peter@hubsanfrancisco.com
Justin is a copywriter/CD in NYC. Since his last post on MC (07.27.12), he’s gone full-time freelance, put together a new Cargo site, and added a bunch of new work—including the above for Capri Sun. So many killer projects all over his site. Really happy to have Justin back up on MC. Really awesome way to kick off the week.
Portfolio: cargocollective.com/
Edward is a writer/CD in Malaysia. (Two CWs from Malaysia in one week. Dig it.) There are a ton of projects in his portfolio and a huge variety—from Penguin Books to BMW, Tiger Beer to posters for his agency’s Star Wars-themed Christmas party. Projects are divided into two categories: Copy and Everything Else. With so much content, that makes it easier to concentrate on just the writing, if that’s what you’re into. Which, being MC, we are.
Portfolio: edwardong.solutions
Jeremy is a senior copywriter at NagaDDB in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Love international submissions. More, please!) He started life as a graphic designer, then switched to writing at his first agency. Check out his project for Yoshinkan Aikido, which uses pieces of bad guy faced-cake to promote self-defense classes for Malaysian women. Delish.
Portfolio: behance.net/jeremyngkt
Matt is a copywriter/CD in Seattle. After 15 years at WongDoody, his portfolio is stocked with all kinds of killer projects for Amazon (above), Seattle Seahawks, Subway, Horizon Air, Tobacco Quit Line, and the LA Dodgers. Dying to know what it was like working with the one and only Gary Busey. Crazzeee.
Portfolio: mattmccain.com
Since his last post on MC, New York art director/creative director Vlad Ivangorodsky has gone full-time freelance and has added a bunch of new work to his site, including the above GoDaddy spot for Barton F. Graf 9000 (that almost made the Super Bowl). Always love posting Vlad’s site up on MC, even though he’s not officially a copywriter. Good ideas are good ideas are good ideas.
Portfolio: vladislav-ivangorodsky.com
Chris Cima, Creative Director at R/GA in Austin, is looking for an intern creative team. From Chris: “R/GA Austin is on the hunt for an intern creative team. We’re looking for both a writer and designer/art director. We’re willing to build a team from two solo badasses or if we find a pre-built team that has a great book, even better. The plan is to make this team an active part of our creative department and get them on real projects to see what they can do with enough guidance to keep their heads from exploding.” Love it. To learn more and to apply, click the links below.
Copy: Click here
Visual: Click here
Way back in January 2014, MC featured Lyndsey’s portfolio in a list of Chicago Portfolio School grads. Here we are, one year later, and Lyndsey’s friend and fellow CW Audrey Hansen has re-submitted her portfolio to MC for an update. (Big ups, Audrey. Love that.) Six tight campaigns and some beautiful typography in her portfolio, including one for the Department of Health and DARE, above, that MC would be all over if it existed. Fun.
Portfolio: lyndseytonyan.com
Been about a year since Chris’s last update on MC. Since then, he’s moved back to San Francisco and freelanced for Pereira O’dell, Camp+King, Muhtayzik Hoffer, Mekanism, and others. (Um, nice list there, geez.) So much great writing all over his site. This is a fun one.
Portfolio: chrishancockwriter.com