BACKGROUND
Creative thinker, leader, and mentor with 20+ years of experience conceiving and launching diverse 360º campaigns that deliver results and make people feel something good.
An experienced problem-solver, collaborator, and strategic-minded team leader. Works closely with executives, strategists, media planners, data analysts, and creators to help turn brand and marketing objectives into persuasive stories that move business and endear brands to people.
CORE SKILLS
Advertising
Art Direction
Branding and storytelling
Creative leadership
Creative strategy
Concept development
Content creation
Cross-discipline collaboration
Digital/Social creative
Graphic designPitching ideas
Presentation design
CATEGORIES OF EXPERIENCE
Alcohol
Automotive
Beauty
Food and Beverage
Gaming
Lifestyle
LuxuryNon-Profit
Packaged goods
QSR
Tech
RECOGNITION
Addy’s
CommArts
Graphis
One Show shortlist
Webby’s
SIDE QUESTS
Creative technology enthusiast embracing the convergence of art and AI.
Writes, produces, and performs in a rock comedy band.
Obsessed with Cooking, Mountain sports, adventurous music, and non-fiction.
EDUCATION
B.A. English Literature & Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University
A.A. Multimedia Design from The Art Institute
CONTACT
itslinder@gmail.com
214.284.7142
ECD/CREATIVE PRINCIPAL, LERMA 2021 - 2025
Avocados From Mexico, Interstate Batteries, The Home Depot, The United Way, The Salvation Army, Reunion Tower
Facilitated the agency’s expansion from a Hispanic market focus to the General market, prioritizing individual POVs to form culturally-cognizant concepts.Expanded Agency SOWs, annual fees, and overall agency capabilities through stronger demonstration of the creative team’s talent and capabilities.
Actively hands-on in all aspects of “doing the work” while leading teams on multiple projects.
Provided intentional leadership and coaching to a diverse group of creatives, strategists and account managers, unifying individual world views to foster an inclusive team environment.
Elevated agency culture to an award-winning standard, resulting in being named AdAge’s ‘Small Agency of the Year’ in 2023, and ‘A-list standout’ in 2024.
Won Agency of Record for Avocados from Mexico taking the brand to the 2023 Super Bowl and creating a TV campaign resuting in a record lift in awareness, preference, and purchase intent. Developed the creative platform for the brands CFP partnership and innovated the brand’s social presence and content creation outputs with storytelling, AI and innovative creator partnerships.
Transformed the messaging/creative strategy for Interstate Batteries by focusing on younger female-targeted concepts. Executed across digital streaming, video, and social media, yielding a 35% ROI within the first year alone.
Researched and propagated the use of artificial intelligence within the creative department allowing for 5x faster visual development sprints for creative presentations.
CD, THE RICHARDS GROUP 2014 - 2020
Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper, Snapple, Mott’s, 7UP, Ram Trucks, Jeep, Chrysler, Firehouse Subs, Chick-fil-A, Wolf/SubZero Appliances, ULTA Beauty, HEB, Favor Delivery
Led the agency in merging traditional brand building efforts with social media trends, emerging tech, and cultural collaborations, culminating in a stronger agency portfolio that better positioned our talents for the future.
Led creative in securing a $10M+ annual contract for Keurig & Dr. Pepper’s digital and social media business. In six months, we transformed a scrappy team of 5 into a diverse workforce of 50+ next-gen creatives, developers, and social media experts.
Collaborated with the social strategy team in developing Dr Pepper’s successful and enduring fan-based strategy in social media. This strategy has helped Dr Pepper replace Pepsi as the number two soda in America.
Led the formation and installed the leadership for TRG’s in-house content department. Resulting in a successful, self-running, and creative profit center for the agency.
Introduced, advocated, and advanced the integration of social media, branded content and purpose-based work into the agency’s core offerings.
Founded and ran a boutique digital development shop.
Held many roles: Creative director, art director, copywriter, client manager, CEO, CFO and COO (that’s how entrepreneurship goes.)
Developed apps for film production companies, children’s book authors and entrepreneurs.
Conceived and created an app that gamified chores for kids. Performed UX, design, art direction, and led a team of programmers through development. Listed as one of Apple’s 2013 top apps for families.
Collaborated with a children's educational specialist, TV Teacher, to create an app delivering educational/interactive content to children on the spectrum, leading all aspects of research, user experience, visual design, and market launch.
FOUNDER, OPPOSITE INC. 2011 - 2014
Creative/Development boutique focused on developing mobile apps that entertain and help people.
Led conceptual art direction and hands-on design for large-scale digital campaigns for national brands.
Educated agency leaders and internal teams on new-age creative and advertising methods, enabling the transition from traditional to digital-forward advertising ideation.