Category Archives: San Francisco

Writer Wanted: SquareTrade, San Francisco

SquareTrade in San Francisco is on the hunt for a mid-level or senior writer to join our awesome internal creative team. What does it mean to be a writer at SquareTrade, the best electronics warranty company in the world? You’ll write, of course. But you’ll also be an idea factory, working with a team of crazy talented designers on a mission to make SquareTrade as amazing as it can be.

For example, in the photo above, Luke Rockhold (champion UFC fighter) is kicking the you-know-what out of an iPhone in a SquareTrade Labs Breakability video. You’ll be thinking up stuff like that—in addition to writing projects for almost every major retailer in the US, mobile carriers across the EU, social, radio, environmental, you-name-it. It’s a little bit agency. It’s a little bit in-house. It’s a whole lot of fun.

Unfortunately, we’re currently looking for local candidates only.

Interested? Email your link to Jason (SquareTrade CD) at: jason@squaretrade.com

Ryan Overhiser

Ryan is a freelance copywriter in San Francisco. The first project on his site is a cologne for a gas station, Burnt Rubbér by Sunoco. Which, apparently, smells awesome. (Duh.) How do you follow that up? With LaserHam for Dietz & Watson, featuring the laser cut face of Michael Ian Black on a ham. (Yes, it’s real.) Doesn’t get better than that.

Portfolio: ryanoverhiser.com

Senior Copywriter Wanted: Eleven Inc., San Francisco

Lindsay Vriavas, Director of Recruiting at Eleven Inc. in San Francisco, is on the hunt for a senior writer—and she’s written the post herself. (Love it.) From Lindsay: “Hi. I’m Lindsay. I’m an agency recruiter, not a copywriter. You’re going to have to forgive my lack of eloquence and poor attempts at snarky copywriting antics in this post. I don’t get paid to write. I get paid to find the people that can write. That can write waaaaay better than that other writer at that other agency. So we here at Eleven Inc can be the best at writing ads and creating awesome work.

Enough about me, lets talk about you.

You are a Senior Writer with, like, 6-7ish years of experience. You are someone who can think up ideas that transform brands. Someone who likes crafting and playing with words. You are able to own a room and present to clients, and dangit, you really like what you do! You play well with others; you can work in a dog friendly environment; you can see yourself (or already are) living in San Francisco; you want to work in an agency where you have a voice and a visible platform; you thrive off working across media agnostic campaigns; and ultimately are most interested in telling stories and making prodigious branding and campaign messages.

Eleven is a good agency with good people. We have design in our roots, tremendous strategy chops, media in our toolkit, and genuinely like our people to have a life outside of the office.

Ask around, you’ll hear good things. … and PS, we work on some great clients too. i.e. Apple, Citrix, Dignity Health, Oakley, Virgin America and more …

Please send books and interest (and lasagna recipes) directly to me: lindsayvriavas@eleveninc.com

Brad Meyers

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Brad is a VP/CD/copywriter at DigitasSF. Since his last post on MC (way back on 09.06.12), he’s added all kinds of awesome work to his site including projects for Taco Bell, Playstation, and a bunch of comedy writing. If you’re one of the few who haven’t seen Taco Bell Blackout (above), don’t miss it. One of the smartest, bravest social media stunts ever. Just fantastic.

Portfolio: cargocollective.com/bradleymeyers

Hugh Gurin

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Hugh is a freelance copywriter in San Francisco (and a good friend to MC). Really dig the writing in his portfolio. Smart, sharp lines, video and radio up and down his site for brands like EAT24, Personal Capital, Oakland A’s, Dropcam, and Blue Shield. Good stuff.

Portfolio: hughgurin.carbonmade.com

Freelance CW Wanted: Viewstream, San Francisco

Kiko Villarán at Viewstream in SF is on the hunt for a freelance copywriter. From Kiko: “Viewstream is looking for a talented freelance/project-based Copywriter to join our Marketing team. We are an amalgam of artists, designers, strategists, writers and technologists who believe in group collaboration. Seventeen of the Fortune 100 companies, including Microsoft, Intel and Honeywell, and sixteen of the top one hundred software companies, including Adobe, Autodesk and Blackboard trust us to deliver their message, and we take great pride in it.

You:

You have the ability to think conceptually as well as write creatively and informatively
You love what you do, be it digital, print, stories, presentations, etc.
You want to create award-winning work
You know how to write copy that that SELLS
You are resourceful
You have a command of prose and tell a great story – in 10 words or 100
You participate authentically and enthusiastically in brainstorms and briefings
You have a passion for storytelling that can inspire and motivate
You have the ability to approach every assignment with a fresh perspective
You are realistic, optimistic and enjoy hard, purposeful work
You love what you do and love to have fun doing it

Responsibilities:

Work closely with the marketing team to brainstorm ideas, create unique concepts and develop messaging for new campaigns and whatever other materials are needed
Write and edit copy for a variety of mediums including packaging, point-of-sale, print, interactive/web, mobile, video, merchandise and whatever we night throw your way
Present ideas to senior level team members and clients
Others as needed”

For more info or to apply, email Kiko at: kvillaran@viewstream.com

Circus Week Fall 2015: Phil Fattore

Phil is a new copywriter at barrettSF in San Francisco. So many student campaigns are based on dating life, or going on benders, or surviving the day after going on a bender, or pest control, or snacks, or booze. But you don’t see a lot of campaigns for vitamin supplements targeting the 50+ crowd. Phil’s SilverFox Force Active Figures are so funny, and so stupid, and so perfect.

Portfolio: philfattore.com

Andy Lewis & Stephen Giem

Andy Lewis is a senior copywriter in San Francisco. He’s work-married to senior art director Stephen Giem and they’ve consummated the relationship with a joint portfolio site that’s hilarious and all love. It links out to their individual sites, which is a great way to do it. The couple is asking for whiskey or gin in lieu of gifts, which you can send directly to MC.

Portfolio: stephenandandyforever.com

Creative Strategist Wanted: Butchershop, San Francisco

Butchershop in San Francisco is on the hunt for a killer Creative Strategist. From Butchershop: “We’re looking for a writing-focused creative strategist who can produce brilliantly original digital and print ideas. Essentially, we need you to be a thinker. You’ll do a fuck-ton of research, process it and get comfortable explaining what you’ve learned to everyone else. You’ll come up with brand positioning statements. You’ll use your research to develop a brand’s identity, and you’ll work with designers, developers and other writers to prove out how that identity looks, feels, sounds and smells. You’ll mix creative thinking with your savant’s knowledge of digital strategies and technology to create pitches for clients and briefs—and you’ll do this again and again and still be hungry for more of it. You’ll develop a voice for clients and blow it out into website copy, media, headlines, ads, campaigns, scripts, etc.

What you’ll do:

Devise concepts and strategies that solve problems—creatively, fearlessly, definitively
Develop brand voice for our clients
Write persuasive, original copy for different audiences across various media
Work with clients, designers, developers and creative director to establish creative and business objectives, strategies, tactics and executions
Critique copywriting and approve final executions
Set the overall direction for the copywriting team
Conduct research in workshops, focus groups, interviews and internet scouring
Participate in and lead presentations with client executives
Learn and experiment with new, surprising and often irreverent ways in which to solve clients’ problems
Train and mentor junior writers and interns
Copyedit and proofread
Flex your brain muscles for a diversity of clients and industries

What you have:

5+ years’ experience creating sharp ideas and campaigns
Preternatural writing and editing chops
Record of leading projects, campaigns and brand experiences with measurable results
Ability to manage multiple creative projects and deadlines simultaneously
Ability to write in a range of voices and capture different brands’ personalities
Positive attitude regarding creative direction and feedback
Low tolerance for bullshit in writing
Perspicacity: meaning you’re good at identifying holes and filling them
Willingness to defend your ideas (to the death if necessary)
Field smarts. You can name your favorite brands, sites, campaigns and writers. You’re up on your trends in design, digital content and technology.
Bachelor’s degree in English, philosophy, advertising, marketing, business, etc.”

Send your resume, cover letter and portfolio to: info@butchershop.com

Zak Stawski

Zak is a copywriter at Swirl in San Francisco. He’s got a beautiful Squarespace site that shows off a crazy variety of projects for the University of Michigan Health System (above), Zipcar, Federal Student Aid, Indeed.com, the U.S Food & Drug Administration, and a social media campaign for two falcons who laid their eggs on the agency roof. Why not?

Portfolio: zakstawski.com

Creative Director: Wells Fargo, Bay Area/Charlotte

Wells Fargo is on the hunt for a Creative Director to join their in-house Enterprise Creative Group in either the Bay Area or Charlotte (your choice). From Wells Fargo: “As we continue to build upon the successful evolution of Wells Fargo’s internal agency, we need an enthusiastic, passionate creative leader with a skilled eye for the work to lead and motivate the team of 50+ creative professionals. In terms of scope, we develop and produce over 3,000 deliverables per year.

Some of the foremost qualities and experience that we seek in a candidate for this role include:

Be an Integrated Thinker – fully versed at leading Business, Strategy, Design and Development
Be a Maker – Consumer – live in the space and infuse energy through intimate understanding and building followership
Be Solution Neutral – prioritize purposeful experiences over specific platforms and processes

Key accountabilities:

Oversee creative direction for Wells Fargo clients’ initiatives.
Participate and lead creative strategies that help solve business challenges.
Work and communicate effectively with creative and digital teams you supervise to enhance the creative effectiveness of creative solutions for direct mail, e-mail, and web.
Ensure work is customer focused, on brand and meets business objectives.
Partner with Enterprise Marketing organization to execute and adhere to the Wells Fargo brand standards.
Work collaboratively, within a fast-paced environment.
Lead from the Front: supervise, manage and grow co-located creative team.”

For more info or to apply contact Wells Fargo Executive Recruiter Karen May at 704-715-5136 or email: karen.w.demay@wellsfargo.com

Bowen Mendelson

Bowen is a copywriter/CD at Ogilvy in Chicago, soon to be freelance in San Francisco. Since his last post on MC (01.14.13), he’s completely revamped his site and added a ton of new work, including brilliant 15-second Instagram vids for the Hemingway Foundation (above). Love ’em.

Portfolio: bowenmendelson.com

Bryan Karr

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

Mike Lars White

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

ACD/CW Wanted: Hub Strategy & Communication

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

UPDATE: Chris Hancock

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

UPDATE: Mike Haftel

Since his last post on MC (way back on 06.21.11, just after graduating from Circus), Mike has a new site stacked with new work. He’s also running free, full-time freelance. Update!

Portfolio: mikehaftel.com

Emma Kolb

Emma is an art director/photographer/copywriter in San Francisco. Don’t miss her video for Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, which she wrote, shot, and did the VO herself. Beautiful.

Portfolio: emmahkolb.com

CW Wanted: San Francisco

Madeleine Clark, friend of MC and fabulous creative recruiter, is on the hunt for a writer with branding and naming experience in San Francisco. From Madeleine: “Looking for a strategic and creative thinker/writer with 3+ years expertise in developing copy, names, taglines, nomenclature systems, and brand voice for complex corporate and product/service projects. This candidate must have a passion for and knowledge of the tech sector. He/She must also be:

An engaging facilitator with presence who helps clients make decisions about strategic and creative work
A compelling storyteller and presenter who brings name candidates to life
A writer of effective proposals and memorable pitches
An inspiring and collaborative team member

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Linguistics, Writing, or related studies and a minimum of 3 years of naming/writing/branding experience (on the agency or client side). Team leadership experience is a plus. Experience working in an organization in a naming/branding role with demonstrable experience with naming and nomenclature strategy is also a must.”

Email Madeleine at: mclark@clarkcohen.com

UPDATE: Adam Gothelf

Adam is a San Francisco native at RPA in Los Angeles. Since his last post on MC (03.16.11), just after graduating from Miami Ad School in NYC, he’s done work for great shops all over the country and got a brand new portfolio to show for it. Including his 2013 holiday film for Honda, Santa’s New Sleigh. Santa drives a Honda!

Portfolio: gothelf.tv

UPDATE: Chris Hancock

Since his last post on MC (wayyy back on 12.01.09), Chris has moved from Butler to Draftfcb to McKinney, where he’s now an ACD/writer. He’s also added a ton of killer new work to his site, including Chipotle, Travelocity and Priceline. Wayyy past time for an update.

Portfolio: chrishancockwriter.com

CW/AD Wanted: Wells Fargo Bay Area/Charlotte

Wells Fargo is on the hunt for both a senior copywriter and a senior art director to join their in-house Enterprise Creative Group in either the Bay Area or Charlotte (your choice). From Wells Fargo, on the CW position: “This is a newly created role within the Enterprise Creative Group that will work under the direction of our Creative Director. The Senior Copywriter will work across a range of digital and traditional projects including print, video, online advertising and digital direct response with an emphasis on creating effective and breakthrough direct mail communications.

The ideal candidate has:

10+ years of experience in an agency or in-house agency environment
Experience with various marketing executions, including print, video, online advertising and digital media, with focus on direct mail
Experience managing a team with focus on communication, engagement and leadership, a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate constructive feedback, coordinate, motivate, and supervise project teams
Experience working across the enterprise, forming effective partnerships with multiple areas of the company
Experience working in a fast-paced, constantly-changing, matrix-management organization while multiple competing priorities present”

For the full SR CW info/to apply: Click Here search Requisition Number 3856617

For the full SR AD info/to apply: Click Here search Requisition Number 3856615

CW Wanted: Wells Fargo Bay Area

Wells Fargo is on the hunt for a copywriter to join their in-house Enterprise Creative Group in the Bay Area. From Wells Fargo: “The Enterprise Creative Group is an internal creative resource of Wells Fargo. We’re building our team to handle bigger, more creative projects for our internal partners, and we’re seeking a Copywriter to handle primarily Social Media, working directly with our Social Media team.

Social Media is an increasingly important, dynamic area of growth for Wells Fargo. We’re looking for a talented, engaged writer to help us push this practice to the next level.

The ideal candidate will have 7-10 years of experience in an agency or in-house agency environment as a Copywriter, working across a range of digital and social projects including social content, video, websites, email, online advertising and digital direct response with an emphasis on creating day-to-day social media content for a large brand. The position requires working directly with clients in a fast-paced, collaborative, quick-turn environment. Financial Services category experience is a plus. Candidates must have an online portfolio of work samples for review.”

For the full job description/to apply: CLICK HERE

Josh Leutz

Josh is a copywriter/ACD at Butler Shine Stern & Partners in Sausalito. His portfolio rocks. MC’s been hearing a bit of poo-pooing lately about Cargo—that while it’s clean, you can’t get the modern look you can with Squarespace. Might be true. And MC digs them both. But Josh’s portfolio proves that, if you’ve got the content, super-clean super-easy-to-nav is all you need.

Portfolio: cargocollective.com/joshleutz

CW Wanted: Bay Area

Recruiter (and friend of MC) Francesca Cohn checks in with a mid-level CW position at an awesome Bay Area shop. (Can’t name it, but it’s awesome.) Winner winner chicken dinner will get to work on a bunch of great accounts, including auto, travel and lifestyle. Ideal candidates have 4-5 years experience and killer, integrated portfolios (TV, print, digital, etc.). Relocation is paid, but Visa’s aren’t an option. If you’re interested, email Francesca at the address below.

Email Francesca at: francesca@bltrecruiting.com

Jarl Olsen

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Jarl is a copywriter/director in San Francisco. His site changes every time you visit. Sometimes projects are represented by heads. Sometimes garbage. Sometimes … well, you’ll see. (Fun.) Once you get into the site, there’s a huge range of work to check out, advertising and film. Dig it.

Portfolio: jarlolsen.com

UPDATE: Brian Button

Brian is a copywriter in San Francisco. Since his first post on MC (March 2012), he’s moved from AKQA to Digitas and added some new work for eBay and Taco Bell to his portfolio — including a series of shorts for eBay called “eBay Thanks You.” Sometimes a story needs more than 30 or 60 seconds, you know? Also, MC would like Jonathan Adler’s beach house, please.

Portfolio: bookofbutton.com

UPDATE: Chris Elzinga

Chris is a freelance copywriter in San Francisco (and a fellow Oregon Duck — go Ducks!). Since his last post on MC (Nov 21, 2009), he’s got a new site with a ton of new work from killer shops like Pereira & O’Dell, Hub Strategy, AKQA, Eleven … and on and on. Dig it.

Portfolio: chriselzinga.com

CWs Wanted: San Francisco

Madeleine Clark, friend of MC and fabulous creative recruiter, is looking for multiple CWs at different levels for positions in San Francisco. From Madeleine:

ACD/Writer, San Francisco agency (5+ years). Small agency environment, part of global firm. Flat, non-political environment, great clients and colleagues. Looking for a conceptual powerhouse with excellent writing skills. Experienced in both traditional (print ads, direct mail, etc.) and digital (email, landing pages, banners, websites, videos). Able to translate complicated technical material into succinct, conversational prose. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Able to manage and mentor creative teams and also do hands-on work. Reports to ECD.

Mid-level Writer or CW/AD Team, San Francisco agency (3 – 5 years). Small agency environment, part of global firm. Flat, non-political environment, great clients and colleagues. Looking for a conceptual powerhouse with excellent writing skills. Experienced in both traditional (print ads, direct mail, etc.) and digital. Able to translate complicated technical material into succinct, conversational prose. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Able to work on multiple projects simultaneously and manage time accordingly. You can take a project and run with it. Help inspire junior team members. Be able to laugh and roll with client challenges. Always hungry to learn and have an interest in social and cultural trends and fashions.

Junior Writer or CW/AD team, San Francisco agency (graduate – 3 years). Small agency environment, part of global firm. Flat, non-political environment, great clients and colleagues. Strong conceptual and solid writing skills. Eager to learn and jump in on a variety of projects from traditional to digital. Solid interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills — you’re able to communicate your ideas clearly. Able to manage time and meet deadlines. Have an interest in social and cultural trends and fashions. Good attitude!

Email Madeleine at: mclark@clarkcohen.com

Erin Smith

Erin is a copywriter in San Francisco, one year after graduating from Miami Ad School. So fun to see a CW’s book at this stage, part student spec and part produced. Can’t wait to see where she lands next.

Portfolio: erinsmithwastaken.com