Category Archives: Chicago

Casey Stern

mcd

Casey is a copywriter at Cossette in Chicago. All kinds of projects for McDonald’s on his site including Filet-O-Fish, McRib Season, Ronald McDonald House Charities, McDonald’s 60th Anniversary, and Chicagoland’s Burger Build Off (above), a cooking contest using fresh ingredients found in McDonald’s kitchens. (Turns out there are lots of fresh ingredients back there.) Perfect contest for Chicago. Next up, San Francisco? The Bay Area McD’s Fries Fry-off? Pleeeeeeease?

Portfolio: caseystern.com

Sr Copywriter & Sr AD Wanted: The Escape Pod, Chicago

escapepod

Heather Hayden, Director of Talent for The Escape Pod, is on the hunt for a senior copywriter and senior art director (individuals or as a team). From Heather: “The Escape Pod CHICAGO is looking to hire a Senior art director and Senior copywriter (either as a team or we will pair up separately) to join us.

Specifically, we are looking for creative talent who:

  • Have “the ability to think their way out of a proverbial bag”
  • Have a proven track record of presenting & selling conceptual campaign idea work (not just executions)
  • Are self-sufficient, independent yet collaborative
  • Have managed one or more broadcast shoots and been ultimately responsible for its final production delivery
  • Have some creative mentorship experience

If interested or for more info, please contact Heather: heather@theescapepodagency.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Copywriter Grads

cps2

Nothing MC loves more than posting the portfolio sites of brilliant new copywriters. Ladies and gents, below are links to 9 Chicago Portfolio School Winter 2017 graduating writers (in alphabetical order):

Abby Festenstein (copywriter) – abbyfestenstein.com

Blythe Green (copywriter) – blythegreen.com

Danielle Janota (copywriter) – daniellejanota.com

Greg Garrod (copywriter) – greggarrod.com

Hope Lee (copywriter) – hopeleecopywriter.com

Jack Farrell (copywriter) – jtfarrellcopywriter.com

Jillian Spivak (copywriter) – jillianspivak.com

Kylie George (copywriter) – kyliegeorge.com

Peter Rizzi (copywriter) – peterrizzi.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Art Director Grads

cps1

Winter 2017 Chicago Portfolio School Week on MC continues, today with the portfolio sites of six March art director grads. Get ’em while they’re hot!

Alexandra Courtney (art director) – alexandracourtney.com

Allie Schiesser (art director) – allieschiesser.com

Deirdre Nieto (art director) – deirdrenieto.com

Ellen Kingbury (art director) – lnkingsbury.com

Maximilien Delvigne (art director) – maximiliendelvigne.com

Renato Oliveria (art director) – renatololiveira.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Designer Grads

cps5

Ladies and gentlemen, this week MC is honored to present the portfolio sites of Winter 2017 Chicago Portfolio School grads: designers (Monday), art directors (Tuesday), and copywriters (Wednesday). Congrats to all!

Adeline Chong (designer) – addieadeline.squarespace.com

Max Linenberger (designer) – mlinenberger.com

Zachary Kaplan (designer) – zkaplan.com

Ben Santoriello

Smith

Since his last post on MC a little over two years ago (01.26.15), Ben has gone freelance and added a bunch of new work to his site—including “Amanda Cerny 19th Century Striptease” for Smith & Forge Hard Cider (above). Nice. Ben also does VO work, including national TV campaigns for Old Dominion, McDonald’s, and 24 Hour Fitness. Time for an update!

Portfolio: bensantoriello.com

Sr & Jr CWs Wanted: Two by Four, Chicago

2x4

Laura Allen, HR/Operations Supervisor at Two by Four in Chicago, is on the hunt for a Senior Copywriter and a Junior Copywriter (also open to a junior team). From Laura:

SENIOR COPYWRITER

Are you overflowing with brilliance? So much so, that you feel compelled to share your genius with others? Then maybe you’re just what we’re looking for. Two by Four is in the market for a Great Idea Generator: Senior Copywriter. One who not only routinely generates unbelievably great ideas, but can show others how to hone that skill as well. Someone who’s one helluva writer—and one helluva leader. If you translate strategy to concept in surprising ways, move smoothly and suavely in account/creative/client circles, live to nurture up-and-coming newbies, and feel most comfortable working at light speed, boy—do we have the job for you.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop fantastic creative concepts, seen through to execution
  • Come at things from refreshingly unique angles. Don’t just show us the expected stuff: surprise us, excite us, wow us, and make us happy we hired you
  • Do create work that makes our clients, the agency and your parents proud
  • Don’t be a prima donna. If you are, trust us: you won’t last very long here
  • Oversee and guide one (or more) creative teams on any given project
  • Present work to and develop relationships with clients
  • Keep track of your hours and do your time sheets on time: yes, this matters
  • Oh, and one other thing: we start at 8:30 (Yes, this matters, too—so set your alarm accordingly)
  • Dive headfirst into new business
  • Stand out, but fit in—this is one helluva fun place to work, with a really cool agency culture…be a part of it.

Qualifications/Skills Required for this Position:

  • 7+ years experience
  • A really nice body of work
  • Leadership and management chops—people are going to be looking up to you
  • An expert understanding of how things work in advertising, including radio and TV production, print, web development, etc.

For more info or to apply email Laura at: lallen@twoxfour.com

 

JUNIOR COPYWRITER

Is your brain a petri dish for great ideas? Do they bounce around in your head like pinballs on crack? If so, perhaps you’d like to see them come to fruition as a Great Idea Generator: Junior Copywriter at Two by Four. We’re in the market for a kick-ass writer—someone who not only gets it, but does it. An inventive, surprising, passionate thinker, someone who can take a strategy and conceptually turn it on its ear. A self-motivated, self-aware self-starter. Oh, and did we mention you’ll be doing this at breakneck speed? Buckle your seatbelt. If you think you’ve got what it takes, give us a shout. You may be the right writer for the job.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop fantastic creative concepts, seen through to execution
  • Come at things from refreshingly unique angles; don’t just show us the expected stuff: surprise us, excite us, wow us, and make us happy we hired you
  • Do create work that makes our clients, the agency and your parents proud
  • Don’t be a prima donna; if you are, trust us—you won’t last very long here
  • Raise your hand when you’re not busy. Volunteer. Engage. Immerse yourself. Help out wherever you can. Make yourself indispensable. We’ll notice, you’ll benefit.
  • Keep track of your hours and do your time sheets on time; yes, this matters
  • Oh, and other thing: we start at 8:30; yes, this matters, too—set your alarm accordingly
  • Roll up your sleeves, put on your thinking cap and dive headfirst into new business we’ve won a ton of new biz this year alone. Want an opportunity to grow? This is it.
  • Stand out, but fit in. This is one helluva fun place to work, with a really cool agency culture. Be a part of it.

Qualifications/Skills Required for this Position:

  • A killer student portfolio.
  • Being a grown-up. We don’t want to have to watch over you all the time, and you don’t want that either. If you can’t work without supervision, this won’t work.

For more info or to apply email Laura at: lallen@twoxfour.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Copywriter Grads

cps2

Nothing MC loves more than posting the portfolio sites of brilliant new copywriters. Ladies and gents, below are links to 11 Chicago Portfolio School Fall 2016 graduating writers (in alphabetical order):

Sarah Bass (copywriter) – sarahrbass.com

Olivia Crandall (copywriter) – oliviacrandall.com

Kaitlynn Frank (copywriter) – kaitlynnfrank.com

Chris Glascock (copywriter) – glascockforcopywriter.com

Cole Hintz (copywriter) – medium.com/cole-hintz

Scott Mendlinger (copywriter) – scottmendlinger.com

Kevin Murray (copywriter) – kevinmurraydotcomwastaken.com

Brett Rimkus (copywriter) – brettrimkus.com

Shawn Rudolph (copywriter) – shawnrudolphcreative.com

Nika Sagalchik (copywriter) – nikachik.com

James Scharfe (copywriter) – jimscharfecreative.com

Angela Williams (copywriter) – angeladwilliams.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Art Director Grads

cps1

Fall 2016 Chicago Portfolio School Week on MC continues, today with the portfolio sites of seven September art director grads. Get ’em while they’re hot!

Allie Hunt (art director) – alliehuntad.com

Chris Kilmer-Lipinski (art director) – chriskilmerlipinski.com

Danny O’Donnell (art director) – danny-odonnell.com

Madeline Reusch (art director) – maddiereusch.com

Candice Schlax (art director) – candiceschlax.com

Jake Starr (art director) – jake-starr.com

James Stolbom (art director) – jamesstolbom.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Designer Grads

cps5

Ladies and gentlemen, this week MC is honored to present the portfolio sites of September 2016 Chicago Portfolio School grads: designers (Monday), art directors (Tuesday), and copywriters (Wednesday). Congrats to all!

Elise McIntyre (designer) – elisemcintyre.com

Jen Mulvihill (designer) – jenmulvihill.com

Raina Shannon (designer) – rainashannon.com

Vicki Wrobel (designer) – vickiwrobel.com

Calli Hoyt

negativespacemoba

Calli graduated from Chicago Portfolio School earlier in the year and is now a junior copywriter at mcgarrybowen in Chicago. Her portfolio is still mostly fun spec projects (so cool to see what gets a CPS grad into a shop like mcgarrybowen), and the first celebrates Waffle House servers as saints. Probably more than Waffle House would go for in the real world—but they should totally do the candles for employee of the month. Also on Calli’s site is a campaign for MOBA (above), the Museum Of Bad Art, which MC never knew existed. Hello, road trip.

Portfolio: callihoyt.com

Copywriter Intern Wanted: Grip, Chicago

GripCropped

Got mad copywriting skills? Looking for a killer internship? Grip in Chicago is on the hunt. From Grip: “We’re seeking a copywriting intern with mad literary game to join our team in September 2016. You should have the ability to develop content with strategic intent and have a strong creative point of view supported by a degree in creative writing or journalism. The mission of our internship program is to transition recent grads into the professional world of copywriting within the creative industry.

You’ll collaborate with experienced and inspiring team members on a broad range of projects to build confidence in your strengths, challenge your skills, and obtain a strong understanding of what it takes to roll with the big dogs. Internship is full-time, 3 months, and paid.

Apply now.”

To apply, click here: gripdesign.com/careers

Jose Benitez

kim

Jose is a senior copywriter Dieste in Chicago. Since his last post on MC (back on 12.04.14), he’s added a bunch of new projects to his site including Adoptable Trends, which turns shelter dogs into trending topics by naming them things like “Kim Kardashian’s Butt.” So smart. So cute! (The dog, not the butt.)

Portfolio: letsseeifthisnameistaken.com

Tommy Crossen

umbrella

Tommy is a junior copywriter at Marc USA in Chicago. His site currently has three agency projects and the rest is student work, which MC loves to see. (What kind of work did Tommy do as a student? How does that translate to his first agency gig?) Tommy is a graduate of Brainco’s online program, and might just be the first agency copywriter who attended a completely online portfolio school. Interesting!

Portfolio: cargocollective.com/tommycrossen

Matt Everts

Joe

Matt is a copywriter/Associate “Big Kahuna” at FCB in Chicago. Going through his site, MC laughed out loud about a thousand times. So much hilarity. That includes the site itself, which is a menu for Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine. Don’t miss his Joe Boxer Holiday spots (if you haven’t seen them already). Genius.

Portfolio: gaylordfineindiancuisine.com

Eric Gorodetsky

blues

Eric is a copywriter at Epic Signal Chicago. Don’t miss his “Broken Resolution Blues” campaign for Meta Wellness above. MC is already singing them, and it’s only January 14th. To quote the above bluesman’s social media reply to @Molly: “A six-pack was a dream. Or that was what she thought. When it came to doing sit-ups, she said abs … solutely not.”

Portfolio: thatssogordo.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week

cps-1

Ladies and gentlemen, MC is honored to present the portfolio sites of 13 Chicago Portfolio School graduating copywriters (in alphabetical order):

Jillian Aramowicz – rightbrainedlefty.com

Zach Frazer – zachfrazer.com

Drew Given – drewgiven.com

Samuel Healy – samuelhealy.com

Corey Leifker – coreyleifker.com

Andrew Lieberman – andrewclieberman.com

Vincent Marocco – vincentmarocco.com

Brian Piazzi – brianpiazzi.com

Matthew Portman – mattportman.com 

Lauren Riddoch – laurenriddoch.com

Heather Robertson – hiheather.com

Laurel Trojan – heythereitslo.com

Michelle Wardle – michellejwardle.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Heather Robertson

Idaho

Heather is a new copywriter in Chicago after graduating from CPS, previously a Marketing Research Analyst for 10 years in Kansas City. If MC knows anything, it’s that great writers come from all walks. Speaking of which, Heather’s campaign for Idaho potatoes using real potatoes to spell out headlines makes MC happy, having grown up in Boise, Idaho. Impressive that she was able to keep from eating the fries long enough to shoot ’em. NOTE: If you’re a potato fan and haven’t tried Idaho Russet Twice Baked Potatoes with cheese, bacon, sour cream, butter, and sea salt, you should Google the recipe immediately.

Portfolio: heatherrobertson.squarespace.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Lauren Riddoch

Avocult

Lauren is a copywriter at DDB Chicago after graduating from CPS. She is the founder of Avocult, the official cult of the California Avocado, which MC shall be joining shortly. Don’t miss her About Me page, which gives the option of a 5 second bio, 10 second bio, 30 second bio, or “all the time in the world” bio. Which makes you want to read all four, of course. Smart.

Portfolio: laurenriddoch.com

Chicago Portfolio School Week – Matt Portman

NPS

Matt is a new copywriter out of CPS, currently freelancing at Laughlin Constable in Chicago. Before he was a copywriter, Matt was a journalist, then a filmmaker, then a comedian (ding!), once again proving MC’s theory that comedians make great copywriters. Really funny stuff up and down Matt’s portfolio. Dig it.

Portfolio: mattportman.com

CW/ACD/CD Wanted: Cramer-Krasselt, Chicago

cklogo

Craig Likhite, Vice President/Creative Manager at CK Chicago, is on the hunt for an ACD/CD-level copywriter to work on their Porsche account (awesome). From Craig: “This is the most emotional car brand in the world. We sell the dream of Porsche. It’s also one of the most advanced car brands in the world. So we also sell the performance of Porsche. The two are forever linked. We create giant content generating events. We create 90 second cinema films. We create 5 second Facebook films. We create pinpoint target direct mail pieces.  Everything we do connects with our followers and initiates newbies into the Porsche world. If you can get excited about making really cool shit for one of the most amazing brands in the world, let us know.” Um, yes please. If you’re interested, email Craig directly at the address below.

Send questions/site to Craig at: CLikhite@c-k.com

ACD/Copywriter Wanted: Two by Four, Chicago

2x4

Laura Allen, HR/Operations Supervisor at Two by Four in Chicago, is on the hunt for an ACD/Copywriter. From Laura: “Are you overflowing with brilliance? So much so, that you feel compelled to share your genius with others? Then maybe you’re just what we’re looking for. Two by Four is in the market for a Great Idea Generator: ACD/Copywriter. One who not only routinely generates unbelievably great ideas, but can show others how to hone that skill as well. Someone who’s one helluva writer—and one helluva leader. If you translate strategy to concept in surprising ways, move smoothly and suavely in account/creative/client circles, live to nurture up-and-coming newbies, and feel most comfortable working at light speed, boy—do we have the job for you.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop fantastic creative concepts, seen through to execution
  • Come at things from refreshingly unique angles. Don’t just show us the expected stuff: surprise us, excite us, wow us, and make us happy we hired you
  • Do create work that makes our clients, the agency and your parents proud
  • Don’t be a prima donna. If you are, trust us: you won’t last very long here
  • Oversee and guide one (or more) creative teams on any given project
  • Present work to and develop relationships with clients
  • Keep track of your hours and do your time sheets on time: yes, this matters
  • Oh, and one other thing: we start at 8:30 (Yes, this matters, too—so set your alarm accordingly)
  • Dive headfirst into new business
  • Stand out, but fit in—this is one helluva fun place to work, with a really cool agency culture…be a part of it.

Qualifications/Skills Required for this Position:

  • Enough experience to let us know that you know what you’re doing
  • A really nice body of work
  • Leadership and management chops—people are going to be looking up to you
  • An expert understanding of how things work in advertising, including radio and TV production, print, web development, etc.”

For more info or to apply email Laura at: lallen@twoxfour.com

Copywriter Wanted: Two by Four, Chicago

2x4

Laura Allen, HR/Operations Supervisor at Two by Four in Chicago, is on the hunt for a copywriter. From Laura: “Is your brain a petri dish for great ideas? Do they bounce around in your head like pinballs on crack? If so, perhaps you’d like to see them come to fruition as a Great Idea Generator: Copywriter at Two by Four. We’re in the market for a kick-ass writer—someone who not only gets it, but does it. An inventive, surprising, passionate thinker, someone who can take a strategy and conceptually turn it on its ear. A self-motivated, self-aware self-starter, with an understanding of mediums from television to web, print to guerilla—and everything in between. Oh, and did we mention you’ll be doing this at breakneck speed? Buckle your seatbelt. If you think you’ve got what it takes, give us a shout. You may be the right writer for the job.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop fantastic creative concepts, seen through to execution
  • Come at things from refreshingly unique angles; don’t just show us the expected stuff: surprise us, excite us, wow us, and make us happy we hired you
  • Do create work that makes our clients, the agency and your parents proud
  • Don’t be a prima donna; if you are, trust us—you won’t last very long here
  • Raise your hand when you’re not busy. Volunteer. Engage. Immerse yourself. Help out wherever you can. Make yourself indispensable. We’ll notice, you’ll benefit.
  • Depending on experience level, present work to clients; in any event, you’ll be working towards that goal—we don’t want to go to every client meeting
  • Keep track of your hours and do your time sheets on time; yes, this matters
  • Oh, and other thing: we start at 8:30; yes, this matters, too—set your alarm accordingly
  • Roll up your sleeves, put on your thinking cap and dive headfirst into new business we’ve won a ton of new biz this year alone. Want an opportunity to grow? This is it.
  • Stand out, but fit in. This is one helluva fun place to work, with a really cool agency culture. Be a part of it.

Qualifications/Skills Required for this Position:

  • Enough experience to let us know that you know what you’re doing.
  • A killer portfolio.
  • Being a grown-up. We don’t want to have to watch over you all the time, and you don’t want that either. If you can’t work without supervision, this won’t work.
  • A general understanding of how things work in advertising, including radio production and TV production, print production, web development, etc.”

For more info or to apply email Laura at: lallen@twoxfour.com