Strategy. Ideas. Concepts. Copy. Execution.
Available now · Full-time, fractional or contract · Remote, US & global
Five briefs. Five problems. Five answers that moved the needle.
The Toledo Zoo
+23%attendance, and past one million visitors for the first time in a decade
A zoo visit is something families remember together. The campaign put that feeling everywhere people were, and they showed up.
Ohio copier & printer company
ADDY2016 National Finalist and 5th District Gold, Best Regional/National TV Campaign
When the copier goes down, bad things happen. Six spots showed exactly how bad, and the whole campaign came in around $100,000.
Gerber Technology
One branduniting a global hardware and software company with 100 of the Fortune 500 as customers
One new tagline to pull a global tech company together, built out into a website, trade print, exhibits, direct mail and 3D video shot on New York's streets and subways.
Amcor, pitching Snapple
1 meetingafter years of closed doors. National Gold ADDY, direct mail
Snapple wouldn't take Amcor's meeting—the brand couldn't imagine changing its iconic bottle from glass to plastic. Dan's answer: build museum cases of Snapple's packaging history, with produced audio on iPod minis, hand-delivered across the country. Amcor got their meeting.
Lighting retailer, Chattanooga
3 storesChattanooga, then Dalton and Gainesville, Georgia
When a brand-new concept in lighting stores came to us for a name, we delivered. As the client mulled over names, the investors moved up the opening. We suggested launching without a name. The no-name stuck. They doubled their sales projections and quickly opened two more locations.
From the creative directors and agency leaders who keep calling back.
One of the best copy architects I've ever worked with.John KwokaCreative Director, Chicago
Dan's our go-to writer. We've worked with him for years. He always delivers work that's on strategy and on brand.Jennifer LarkinPresident, Born, Lexington
Dan's an idea machine. He's a writer who understands people and why they buy things. He uses that insight to propel brands to new heights. If you need an advertising problem solved, get him a pizza and a cot and let him do his thing.Troy HayesCreative Director, Engine29, Miami
He is ridiculously passionate about every aspect of every project. Very few creative people I know have as many skills as Dan. He can create, write, cast, shoot, edit, talk music. He's always thought ahead of the curve and out of the box. Smart guy.Greg AllanCreative Director/President, Sonixphere, Chicago/LA
Schooled by Jesuits and Comedians.
Three schools shaped the work. Deep training at Second City, ImprovOlympic and with Del Close taught quick thinking: listen hard, commit fast, build on whatever comes next. Michigan Avenue taught strategy: at DDB, big CPG brands didn't buy a word until it was anchored in what people actually want. The digital age shrank the time, equipment and people it took to create. And it exponentially expanded one's reach—from one laptop to the world. Dan was an early adopter of every wave. Now with AI tools, skillfully deployed, the ceiling keeps rising.
The result is one creative who can find the strategy, write the line, run the shoot and cut the spot. Fast, focused, and lean. And funny.
Capabilities
Categories
Stand by. Rolling.
Available now for full-time, fractional and contract roles. Remote across the US and globally; on-site or hybrid considered.
Also on this site
Campaigns, video and service for parishes, dioceses, schools and Catholic organizations, including a 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration campaign for the Cathedral of Christ the King.
See the Catholic portfolio →Specialty
Sales, stallions, racing and the World Equestrian Games, for top breeding and racing operations and Keeneland.
Specialty
Equine marketing for top breeding and racing operations, Keeneland's sales, farm tours and the World Equestrian Games. The work has helped sell multimillion-dollar thoroughbreds and bring in millions in stud fees.