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
Nicolas is a new copywriter in Miami, formerly at VMLY&R, now on the hunt for the next big thing. Don’t miss his “Just In Case Whopper” idea for Burger King (which may come in handy this year). Good times. Can’t wait to see where Nicolas lands!
Portfolio: nicolaspm.com
John is a copywriter/ACD who recently moved to Portland, formerly at mcgarrybowen in Chicago. His site features projects that you have to see to believe. “All I Really Want For Christmas” by Kool-Aid Man and Lil Jon (above). An 11-hour Sausage Yule Log video for Jimmy Dean. Putting a new cord on an EGO String Trimmer while plummeting 120mph toward Earth. And that’s just three projects. Can’t wait to see where John lands!
Portfolio: wrendwrites.com
Carl is a copywriter/ACD at Arnold Boston. All kinds of good stuff on his site for brands like Jack Daniel’s (above), Grain Belt, Jaguar, Coppermine, and Colle McVoy. According to his About Me page, “It all started when my mom met my dad and they fell in love and they had me.” Word.
Portfolio: carlianpeterson.com
Andrew is a junior copywriter on the hunt for his next gig, formerly at Ogilvy NYC (who just laid off 80 peeps across the country). At Ogilvy, Andrew was part of a small team “developing high priority work for Instagram as Ogilvy was their first ever agency of record. Projects included coming up with the brand’s first tagline, creating brand campaign ideas, activations and innovative on-platform film content to engage teens.” Pretty cool. His site also includes spec campaigns for Scrubbing Bubbles, Dodge, Starbucks Bathroom Reviews, and Schick Edge (above). Hoping Andrew finds a new gig soon!
Portfolio: andrewweissman.work
Daniel is a new copywriter in Chicago and a recent graduate of Chicago Portfolio School. (Love seeing student portfolios.) At the time of this post, his site features six spec projects for brands including McDonald’s, Motel 6, Megabus, Illinois Lottery, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. His campaign for Goldfish, highlighting the cafeteria trade value of Goldfish for kids, is super fun. Can’t wait to see where Daniel lands!
Portfolio: danieldidthis.com
Ian is a senior copywriter at Watson Creative in Portland (and an Oregon Duck like MC, go Ducks!). In addition to a bunch of great work, his site shows off his super smart strategic writing—with lots of manifesto and setup writing. So cool to see. Also, don’t miss Ian’s Art page with tons of essays, short stories, and poems that have been featured in variety of publications. Love it.
Portfolio: ianpatrickmiller.com
Brandon is a new copywriter and a recent graduate of Chicago Portfolio School. While he has no strong opinions on the Oxford comma, he does about using a parenthetical (learn more by reading his resume via his About Me page). Brandon’s portfolio features spec projects for big brands like Monster, Tumblr, StubHub, plus Acorns and Which Wich (featured above). Can’t wait to see where he lands!
Portfolio: onbrandscavone.com
Matt is a writer/director/editor in Los Angeles. His portfolio is divided into three parts: Film/Sketch, Branded Content for clients like AT&T, California Lottery, Wells Fargo, and Acura (above), and Fun. Be sure to check out his Film/Sketch page—lots of interesting stuff there, including Kevin Hart’s ‘Writer’s Room’ (awesome). Also, on his Fun page, check out The Most Unnecessary Inventions (shouldn’t all copywriters have a place for these?) featuring…High-Toe Sneakers.
Portfolio: matt-neylon.com
Conner is a new copywriter in Los Angeles, a recent graduate of Chicago Portfolio School, and currently interning at BBH in LA. Love to see a new copywriter’s book filled with real-deal headlines—and Conner’s site has a ton of them for clients like Harley-Davidson, Dunkin’ (funny idea with misspelled Starbucks cups), Omaha Steaks (above), Jeni’s Ice Cream (super cute idea), plus a long copy campaign for ALDI. Can’t wait to see where Conner lands!
Portfolio: connerschrock.com
Chris is a copywriter/CD at TM in Dallas. All kinds of fun projects up and down his site. Don’t miss his Pizza Hut social posts, which are as hilarious as pizza is delicious. (What a killer assignment as a writer, sheesh.) Also check out his “I’ve Only Got 5 Minutes” page, which is a great idea—and probably something more creatives, especially those with tons of projects on their site, should consider. Dig it.
Portfolio: shaferco.com
Sarah Gatling Latz, Director of the Education Department at Chicago Portfolio School, checks in with portfolio links to the CPS Fall 2019 Copywriter, Art Director, and Designer grads. Congrats to all!
COPYWRITERS
Abby Myers | abby-myers.com
Alexandra Tsarpalas | alexandratsarpalas.com
Brian Meyer | brnmyr.com
Conner Schrock | connerschrock.com
Madison Kopp | madisonkopp.com
Matt McGrane | mattmcgrane.com
Sophia Campanelli | sophiacampanelli.com
Taylor Smith | taylorwordsmith.com
ART DIRECTORS
Amanda Gebelhoff | amandagebelhoff.com
Claudia Testa | claudiatesta.com
Erin Ploen | erinploen.com
Grace Duffy | graceduffycreative.com
Rafael Costa | theredninjaturtle.com
DESIGNERS
Jao ChiShan | jaochishan.com
Grace Kosner | gracekosner.com
Jessie Pomper | jessiepomper.com
Katie Danaher | katiedanaher.com
Kara Kopec | karakopec.com
Feel free to contact the grads or connect with Sarah for an intro.
Taylor is a new copywriter and a recent graduate of Chicago Portfolio School on the hunt for her first gig. She’s got spec projects on her site for clients like Starbucks (above), Harley-Davidson, 4OCEAN, Tumblr, Unbound Babes, Framebridge, and LUSH Cosmetics. Also, be sure to check out her photography page, “The Pics.” It’s like getting a copywriter and a photographer with one hire. Can’t wait to see where she lands!
Portfolio: taylorwordsmith.com
Sophia is a new copywriter and a recent graduate of Chicago Portfolio School. (Congrats, Sophia!) She’s got an adorable campaign for Kraft Singles in her portfolio (above), celebrating small milestones in the life of a kid, which never actually feel small when you’re a kid. In addition to copywriting, Sophia also has a talent for naming colors. Check out her “Colors” page to view “Caramel macchiato with oat milk. Not almond.” and “Dehydrated pee.” Nice.
Portfolio: sophiacampanelli.com
Juan is a new copywriter at Preacher in Austin and a recent Creative Circus grad (as in he graduated yesterday, congrats Juan!). The funnest thing about student portfolios is seeing how much fun students have making them. When you click through Juan’s site, you can’t miss that. Like “Witeout” (above) and Whopper “Home of the Earth” which had MC laughing out loud. So dumb. So genius. So Burger King.
Portfolio: juancamillogarza.com
Andrew is an ACD/copywriter at McCann in NYC. The work in his portfolio is killer—but it’s the format of his book that puts it over the top. Andrew has created #BAÑOBOOK: “the first Instagram-based copywriting portfolio designed to fight dwindling site visits by focusing on ‘toilet-top’ rather than ‘desktop’ views.” Instead of describing it further, MC encourages all to have a seat, take a load off, and enjoy.
Portfolio (best viewed on mobile): @andrewhajjardotcom
Greg is a new copywriter/experienced producer. He’s also a drummer (like MC), so you know his portfolio is going to be good (ahem). All kinds of fun projects on his site, from other uses for Lipton Onion Soup (above), to Russian Tourism, to Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax. Dig it.
Portfolio: gregraltman.com
Samar is a new copywriter and recent grad of Miami Ad School Hamburg. All kinds of cool ideas up on his site, including You Are Here for Penguin Audiobooks (smart), Snack Unseen for Cheez-Its, Whopper Spooky Search for Burger King, and Sleepless for VW (love seeing headline-as-visual ads). If possible, check out Samar’s site on desktop view to see his you-type-his-words landing page. Fun idea.
Portfolio: samhasideas.com
Evan is a senior copywriter in NYC, formerly at Grey Group. All kinds of cool projects in his portfolio for clients like Marriott Hotels (above, shout-out for the Supertramp track), Longhorn Steakhouse, Drug Free America, Hasbro, and Gillette. Also, don’t miss his bio, which he presents in karaoke form. Of course.
Portfolio: evanelbersoncreative.com
Rose is a new copywriter in Chicago and a recent Chicago Portfolio School grad. (Big congrats!) Her portfolio at the time of this posting features five projects for Everlane, Beefeater Gin, Svalbard Tourism (got to be a first for MC), Azteca Tortillas, and Garnier Fructis (above). From her About page: “What I like most about copywriting is the research you get to do beforehand.” Agreed.
Portfolio: rosegaylen.com
Amanda is a new copywriter (originally from Sweden) currently interning at MullenLowe in Boston and a recent graduate from Academy of Art in San Francisco. Her student portfolio is an awesome mix of projects (that have won a ton of student awards), including “Think Inside the Box” for the NY Times, “Fueled by Youth” for Kia (above), AdAge-ISM, “Female Figures” for Adidas, and “Zap Mode” for Apple (wish it were real). Love it all. Can’t wait to see where Amanda lands!
Portfolio: amandawennberg.com
Matt is a copywriter/Instagrammer/snowboarder at BCW in NYC. His site is divided into Work (including spec), Client Work, I’m A Person Too, Instagrammer, and Resume. So interesting to see how different creative people present the different parts of their creative lives on a portfolio site. Dig it.
Portfolio: matt-tennenbaum.com
Jake is a new copywriter and a recent grad of Creative Circus in Atlanta (big congrats!). As always, super fun to see a student portfolio that looks like the student had fun making it—and that’s definitely the case with Jake’s. Can’t wait to see where he lands.
Portfolio: jake-christensen.com
David is a copywriter at MKG (Experiential Marketing) in Brooklyn, NYC. All kinds of fun projects in his portfolio, which he’s designed to look exactly like a Gmail inbox (complete with easter eggs including the search bar, green minimize button, hamburger menu, etc.). Dig it. Also dig the photos of David’s foster dogs. High-five, DB. You’re good peeps.
Portfolio: imdavidbutler.com
Robbie is a copywriter/ACD at Saatchi & Saatchi NYC. So much awesomeness all over his portfolio. Don’t miss his first project “Marshmallows Only” for Lucky Charms (hello, dream project). Also, Hipster or Horse, because laughing. Also his About Me bio writeup, which is just about perfect. Love it all.
Portfolio: robbieizar.com
Natalie is a new designer/art director and a recent graduate of the University of Oregon. (Go Ducks!) Her student portfolio is super fun, bright, and optimistic—love the big, bold type throughout (beautiful typography). Perfect for a spring Saturday post on MC. Can’t wait to see where Natalie lands!
Portfolio: natalieannmayer.com
Jake is a copywriter NYC, formerly at Barton F. Graf. Since his last post on 05.30.18 (one year ago), after graduating from Creative Circus, he’s been busy. Check out his projects for Brinks (sure sure) and Welch’s Grape Juice (above). That juice is no joke.
Portfolio: jaketannery.com
Yosef is a copywriter in NYC on the hunt for his next gig, previously at Chipotle and Flare Social. He’s also a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade, once again proving that comedians make good copywriters. Love the social posts all over his site (hilarious). Can’t wait to see where Yosef lands!
Portfolio: yoseflerner.com
Huge thanks to Ashley Sommardahl, VCU Brandcenter Director of Student Affairs and Industry Outreach, for helping MC host VCU Brandcenter Week. Always inspiring and mind-blowing to see the awesome portfolios coming out of Brandcenter.
To see all of the portfolios for copywriters, art directors, creative brand management, experience design, and strategy grads, use this link: brandcenter.vcu.edu/recruiters/student-portfolios
Want to learn more about VCU Brandcenter? Email here.
Congrats to all Brandcenter grads! Can’t wait to see where you land.
Katie is a new art director and a recent graduate of VCU Brandcenter. Her portfolio is full of super cool type treatments, including two long-copy campaigns (yesss) with new copywriter and fellow Brandcenter grad Mitchell Moss (portfolio here). As long as someone still loves to write long-copy ads, and someone else still loves to lay them out, the world is safe. At least, for now.
Portfolio: katiepaxton.com