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I have a degree in Jazz.

That explains everything.

I believe creativity is fueled by curiosity, craft and courage—and it’s the most effective way for organizations to unlock and achieve audacious goals.

I started my career in advertising as a Copywriter. Then code and the Internet arrived. While words and images are great storytelling tools, I’m ever curious about how creativity evolves within the complexity of our modern marketplace to affect change. Over the past two years I’ve been teaching Generatively Better—a one-hour online course designed to help marketing leaders and teams leverage AI-generative technologies.

As a strategist and creative leader, I’ve developed globally recognized marketing campaigns for Land O’Lakes, 3M, Hormel Foods, Thrivent, PwC, Volkswagen, Harley-Davidson, Goodyear, Porsche, Anheuser-Busch, Sears, and MetLife, among others. I’ve led strategy and overseen creative teams in launching global brand ideas, creating numerous “firsts,” overcoming sales declines, winning Best Of accolades and contributing to “one of the most successful marketing campaigns ever,” according to Adweek.

I’m a passionate innovator and entrepreneur. I love helping organizations embrace and leverage risk—to grow and succeed amidst the unfamiliar and new. I co-founded three start-ups (an advertising agency, software firm and content production company); produced a 250+ episode content series; hosted a decade-long speaker series; served as Board President of the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association; and thrive in fast-paced, chaotic environments. 

My roots are in instilling courage and inspiring others to succeed. I’m a teacher and coach. I’ve written and taught marketing and advertising curriculums at colleges and universities for 15+ years; and facilitated skills courses in numerous corporate settings. And I’ve been a keynote speaker and presenter at conferences around the world.

🎓 EDUCATION

I completed the altMBA leadership workshop in February 2022. Founded by Seth Godin, that experience strengthened my belief in the business of ideas—a way of defining strategy and instigating creativity towards positive transformation. 

I received a BA in Jazz Studies, playing drums, from the University of Cincinnati. As one of my favorite drummers put it, the goal of improvisation is to, “learn all you can, then forget it and play what you feel.” In business, this means embracing your inner detective, seeking viable insights—then harnessing skill, teamwork and your muse to generate ideas that transform the world.

🎙️ INTERVIEWS

I spoke with Rosie and Faris Yakob for their Genius Steals newsletter in December, 2024.

On Mark Fewell’s Teleologist podcast (Apple, Spotify, Libysn) I discuss growing up among artists, the podcast I host with my Dad, the business of creative briefs, how to run a marketing organization, and how to get the most out of a creative agency.

On the Agency Management Institute’s “Build a Better Agency” podcast I talk about effective creative briefing, team leadership, agency entrepreneurship and skills building in the age of AI.

If your focus is creative briefs, I spoke with the “Brief Bros,” (marketing author Howard Ibach and brand strategist Henry Gomez) on brand strategy and the practice of creative briefing (jump to 09:30 for the start of the focused conversation).

I’ve done two interviews with Minnesota Public Radio’s Chris Farrell about the expanding impact of AI on the world of art and music.