I’m a Freelance Creative Director, Copywriter, and former Agency Leader who’s good at advertising, brand building, and winning new business.

My life sentence in advertising began at Doner in Baltimore, MD in 1990. It was my first time getting hired, promoted, and fired. I snagged a National Addy for a spot my CD didn’t want to enter. And met my wife. Win-win.

Next was GKV. Much better views. My claim to fame there was getting Homer Simpson to do my answering machine message. (Remember those?)

Then in 1996 I joined OWNP, a great start-up agency in San Francisco just as it, and the city, we’re blowing up. (Thanks Jeff O.) I did about 100 spots, including Tiger Woods’ first for EA Sports. He was a jerk, but later called it “Better than my Nike spot.” All’s forgiven T-Dubs. Also saw our salon.com Political Action Figures on Jon Stewart and filmed with a dude from Ratt. Surreal.

2001, the dot-com bubble burst. I was off to LA and Team One to do big campaigns for Lexus and Air New Zealand. Both clients insisted we use their products. Well, if you insist.

In 2003, my son was born. Back East to be close to family, and a CD gig at Arnold’s DC office. I led a huge team on their biggest account, Choice Hotels International, and also Children’s National. But after a few years and a new daughter, I grew frustrated with all the holding company nonsense.

At this point, I had options. Head back West? Hit NYC? Or stay local and help reboot an agency that was closing? I chose the latter. And in 2009, I founded RP3 Agency with two kindred (at the time) spirits, Beth Johnson and Scott Gold.

Within a year, we won a creative shootout against a dozen national agencies (and half the agency’s better judgment) to land our first national client, Norfolk Southern. We went on to create work that defied the category. Also won the Children’s National account for the second time in my career. And led what was probably the smartest, most integrated, most satisfying pitch I’ve ever been part of, winning Giant Food.

Along the way, I got to work with a ton of great creatives on brands including MASN, the Orioles, Honest Tea, Coca-Cola, Marriott, and Hilton, racking up a bunch of awards including two Addy Best in Shows and the agency’s one and only Effie.

In 2021, I left. Because, well, COVID. But honestly, the joy was gone. It felt like the agency had peaked given its structure. I needed a change. Time to explore those options again. 

Now as a freelancer/hired gun, I get to face a wider set of challenges, working with brands and agencies that want something fresh and fearless. Oh, and I have a lot more time to follow my daughter’s advice from way back in her elementary school days–think before you write.