Author Archives: siciliano

Benji Shaw

Benji is a senior copywriter who was recently furloughed from DDB NY and is on the hunt for his next big thing. Since his last post on MC (way back on 12.16.14), when he was fresh out of ad school, Benji has added all kinds of cool campaigns to his portfolio for brands like Jameson, Nespresso, VISA, Capital One, and Tostitos. Don’t miss his 7-Eleven project “53¢ FOR LIII” (above), for which he got to write a real-deal long copy ad that ran in the Boston Globe. For a copywriter, that’s victory.

Portfolio: benjishaw.com

Brendan Howard

Brendan is a copywriter at Fallon in NYC. As one would expect from a Fallon writer’s portfolio, there’s genius and hilarity all over his site, including projects for Cumberland Farms, Hotels.com, RITAS, and a handful of spec projects as well. But the grand prize goes to Brendan’s masterpiece: “Work From Home” set to the tune of “Let It Go” from Frozen, to benefit Broadway. It’s what the world needs now.

Portfolio: brendanthewriter.com

Tarik Atallah

Tarik is a new copywriter and a recent graduate of VCU Brandcenter. (Big congrats!) All kinds of fun work on his site for brands like MTV, Kodak, Depop, Vital Farms, and North Face. In Tarik’s “Not Ads” section, don’t miss “Surviving Winter” (created with AD Emily Adamson). Which absolutely needs to be a real thing.

Portfolio: tarik-atallah.com

Rachel Curry

Rachel is a new copywriter and a recent graduate of VCU Brandcenter. Her site is divided into Ad Campaigns (Sun Records, Sir Kensington’s, Timex, and McCann’s Irish Oatmeal), Brand Acts & Innovations (Spotify – The Game, Buffalo Wild Wings), Real Work (The Emmys), and Unbranded. Before VCU, Rachel spent some time in Hollywood, where she “helped breathe life into film and television projects at every phase of development and production. I was even lucky enough to work with the people who make some of my favorite funny TV shows: Broad City, Workaholics, Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver, and Catastrophe.” Super cool. Can’t wait to see where she lands!

Portfolio: rachelcurryfanclub.com

Dave Smith

Dave is a copywriter/creative director/producer/strategist in Nashville. Since his last post on MC (way back on 4.17.13), he’s been busy. All kinds of work on his site for brands like Harley-Davidson, Xtreme Trout, Iron Man Wetsuites, Brookdale Senior Living, Music City Boxing, United Methodist Church, Boys & Girls Club, and Special Olympics (above). Definitely time for an update.

Portfolio: davewordsmith.com

Matt Moyer

Matt is a copywriter/creative director who splits time between New York and Los Angeles. So many great campaigns on his site, including a Super Bowl spot for Busch Beer, a Febreeze save-the-day project for the Parrish, Alabama Poop Train (have to see it to believe it), a Febreeze Super Bowl spot about a man whose bleep don’t stink, hilarity for Booking.com (above), plus tons more. Love it.

Portfolio: matthewmoyer.com

RemindMeWhatMatters.com

Jennifer Reis, a copywriter at Cultivator in Denver, checks in with a cool project her agency created called “Remind Me What Matters.” From the remindmewhatmatters.com site: “While we’re not out of the woods yet, it’s safe to say we’ve all recognized some important things we take for granted when we’re too busy to slow down and fully appreciate them. To commemorate this significant time in our lives, we invite you to mail a postcard to your future self, friend or family member. It could be a thought, an idea, a pep talk, a recipe, a new perspective. Because while things may be fresh in your mind now, we sometimes so easily forget. Whatever your message, let it be a reminder that even in the toughest times, something positive can always come out of it.” Only $1, and the $1 goes to charity. Dig it.

Site: remindmewhatmatters.com

Emily Rhodes

Emily is a new copywriter and a recent graduate of VCU Brandcenter. (What a time to be graduating, sheesh.) All kinds of killer spec projects in her portfolio, including a super fun idea for Halo Top ice cream. Which is technically not ice cream, but is ice cream. Right? Right.

Portfolio: emilyrhodes.work

Karl Bastian

Karl is copywriter, creative director and owner of PB&J in Traverse City, Michigan. The print part of his site is organized by product/service category, including Retail, Packaged Goods, Travel/Tourism/Conservation, Automotive, Healthcare, and Misc. Then, up top, he’s got links to video and digital. All kinds of super smart headlines all over his site. Dig it.

Portfolio: krop.com/kbastian

Robert Schneider

Robert is a copywriter/ACD formerly at Commonwealth/McCann in Detroit (pre-COVID-19). His portfolio was submitted to MC by Joel Austin, a fellow copywriter located in Dallas. (Big ups!) Huge variety of projects on his site for brands like Chevrolet, NAPA Auto Parts, Key Bank, International, University of Alabama, and more. Joel also recommends Robert’s “Quarantine Check-in Videos” where he interviews fellow comedians and creatives. (Link to video below.) Good times.

Portfolio: robertsbrains.com
Quarantine Check-in Episode #2: youtube.com/watch?v=iFgkPi3AJKI
Joel Austin’s portfolio: runthejoels.com

Shevek Anandan

Shevek is a copywriter at McCann in NYC. Since his last post on MC (back on 04.19.18), he’s added all kinds of new work to his portfolio including projects for Verizon, New York Lottery, Purell, and Soundcloud (above). His site features a “here’s the pudding” link that curates his portfolio into four bite-sized categories for recruiters short on time. Smart.

Portfolio: shevekanandan.com

Chicago Portfolio School Spring 2020 Grads

Big thanks to Sarah Latz, Director of Education at Chicago Portfolio School, for sending MC the latest CPS grads sites. So much great work! Below are links to all Spring 2020 grad portfolio sites, plus a note from Sarah.

From Sarah:

“Chicago Portfolio School has been offering a free class to undergraduate students who now have to finish their academic year from home. Jeff Epstein, the founder of Chicago Portfolio, leads the online class and discussion of more than 70 college students from around the country. Advertising professors from around the country helped spread word of the class, and students from all of the Big 10 campuses, and state schools like Florida, Oregon, Arizona, as well as smaller schools, are registered.

Recruiters from Leo Burnett, plus veteran copywriters, art directors and strategists have virtually visited to talk about how to get a job and create award-winning campaigns.

For now, the class is ongoing, and seniors (creative and non-creative majors) are still welcome to register for the online class. Additionally, the school’s allowing anyone to virtually “sit in” on a number of other classes they offer.

Reach out to Sarah at sarah@chicagoportfolio.com for more information.”

Cole Orloff

Cole is a freelance copywriter, designer and creative director in NYC. Since his last post on MC (way back on 03.23.13), when he was two years into agency life as a self-taught copywriter at a small shop in Chicago, he’s been busy. Over the past seven years, he got a Master’s focused on interactive art and design, directed video, shot photography, designed brands, starting to work on 3D design, and lead a team of multi-disciplinary creatives as Creative Director. Time for an update!

Portfolio: work.coleorloff.com

Gabriel Sehringer

Gabriel is a copywriter in NYC. Since his last post on MC (back on 05.15.17), he’s got a new site featuring six projects—including Real Gun Bill featured above. Always nice to see a copywriter using his powers for good. Gabriel just got back from a six-month backpacking trip through South America after two years at Fred & Farid (FF) in New York, and is on the job hunt. Time for an update!

Portfolio: openonabeach.com

Rachel Chew

Rachel is a senior copywriter at BLK J in Singapore, previously at DDB and Arcade. All kinds of cool projects up on her site, including “Wandermust” for Scoot, the world’s fastest band for StarHub Mobile, and Singapore’s first all-women Individual Physical Proficiency Test for the Life Company (above). In addition to copywriting, Rachel is also a photographer (be sure to check out her IG) and … abstract latte artist. Nice.

Portfolio: rachelchewy.cargo.site

Lesly Pyle

Lesly is a copywriter/director of creative operations at Baker Street in San Francisco. She’s got a crazy variety of projects in her portfolio for brands like Baker Street (site), Hotel Nikko, NorCal Honda, Sun-Maid Raisins, and the San Francisco Giants. Don’t miss her Fan Contract for the Golden State Warriors (above) with season ticket holders, guaranteeing the 2010 team would 1. Make the Playoffs. 2. Win 25 home games. 3. Have at least one All Star. If they didn’t, they paid each fan back in cash and rewards. Dig it.

Portfolio: pyleofwords.com

Casey Fielder

Casey is a junior art director on the hunt for his first gig after graduating from Creative Circus. His site was sent in by his friend Ricky Depugh who is a junior copywriter in Atlanta. How nice is that? So nice, MC is including links to both of their sites below. Some crazzeee spec campaigns on Casey’s site, including “The Savage Citrus” for Simply Grapefruit Juice (above). The video on his About Me page is pretty wild too. Can’t wait to see where he lands!

Casey Fielder’s portfolio: caseyfielderad.com

Ricky Depugh’s portfolio: ricky-depugh.com

Sara Muchnick & Katie Coward

Sara (copywriter) and Katie (art director) are a creative team at Pereira O’Dell in San Francisco. Since their last post on MC (back on 10.29.18), they’ve been busy. There’s new work on both of their sites (and different work on each), including a super cool project for Ese by Pearson (above). Time for an update!

Sara’s portfolio: saramuchnick.com

Katie’s portfolio: katiecoward.com

James Paul

James is a new copywriter in his first week at his first junior copywriter job at Moxie in Atlanta—after recently graduating from Creative Circus. How cool is that? Almost as cool as his portfolio, which includes projects for Timberland, WWE, Hamburger Helper, Apollo, Super 8, WNBA, and more. Love it. Can’t wait to see what James does at Moxie!

Portfolio: jamespaulcw.com

Senior Copywriter Wanted: Huge Atlanta

Anna Doherty, Senior Recruiter at Huge, is on the hunt for a senior copywriter to join their team in Atlanta. (Yes, please.) From Huge:

“We are looking for a Sr. Copywriter to join the Atlanta, GA team!

Huge is a global experience agency made up of creatives, designers, technologists, strategists, and data scientists. We help companies elevate the human experience by creating unified brand experiences that people love. 

Job Responsibilities: 

  • Brainstorming creative concepts with the project team, developing original campaigns and representing the writer’s perspective in client presentations. 
  • Express their ideas clearly, not just on the page (or screen), but face-to-face. 
  • Foster the talents of our awesome copywriters at every level, both leading by example and sharing their experience

What we’d like to see: 

  • A strong agency background, a proven ability to create copy for a variety of audiences, brands, and industries.
  • Deep experience doing beautiful, smart, print campaigns.
  • Experience in a range of digital platforms from social to online video campaigns.
  • Great presentation skills, both internally and client-facing. We want you to produce great copy and be able to express your ideas clearly.
  • An appreciation for the relationship between textual and visual elements (and great design in general). We expect our copywriters to understand that a product isn’t truly great unless the copy and the designs support each other.
  • Ability to write professionally in a variety of styles for diverse audiences. You need to be able to adapt your voice to each project with extreme ease.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently when necessary and meet deadlines without handholding.”

Please send replies to: adoherty@hugeinc.com

For additional information: https://www.hugeinc.com/careers/jobs/2028562

Aaron Vick

Aaron is a copywriter/ACD at DDB in Chicago. Since his last post on MC (way back on 02.24.14), he’s completely revamped his portfolio with a bunch of new TV & video from Miller Lite, Capital One, and State Farm, plus projects for McDonald’s, Cottonelle, and the Chicago Bears. Definitely time for an update!

Portfolio: aaroncvick.com

You can also view the portfolio of Aaron’s long-time creative partner/art director, Garrett Fleming, here: cargocollective.com/garrettfleming

Copywriter Wanted: Blue Ion, Charleston

David Wood, Parnter/Creative at Blue Ion in Charleston, South Carolina, is on the hunt for a senior copywriter. From Blue Ion:

“We are looking for a senior creative writer to join our Charleston, SC team.

Blue Ion is a 20-year old digital agency in Charleston, SC. We believe that great brands are defined by what they’re made of – not by what they make. Helping to identify and articulate a brands unique energy is a powerful thing, and we never get enough.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Concepting high level brand positions
  • Developing campaigns
  • Writing for web, print and video applications
  • Presenting internally and externally
  • Represent Blue Ion in new business meetings and industry events
  • Leading and supporting a team of designers and programmers

Requirements:

  • 5+ years of industry experience
  • Killer branding and campaign portfolio (print and interactive)
  • BA in advertising, marketing or related field
  • Strong desire to create great work in a collaborative environment”

Please send replies to: david@blueion.com

For additional information: https://www.blueion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/senior-creative-writer.pdf

Gil Templeton

Gil is a copywriter at The Variable in Winston-Salem, NC. Sometimes you click through a writer’s portfolio and you can just tell how much fun they had making it—and you can see how they made the most of the opportunities that came to them. That’s definitely case with Gil’s site, from Beer Hunting Season for Lowes Foods, to his writing for Oklahoma Joe’s Smokers, to his videos for Peanut Better (wow). Dig it.

Portfolio: lookwhatgildid.com