davidcolsen@gmail.com
336.402.9750
EXPERIENCE
EVP, Executive Creative Director / Mythic
April 2019 – January 2026
Clients: Ally, American Standard, Archery Trade Association, CARSTAR, Charlotte Ballet, Cone Health, Cotton Incorporated, Central Piedmont Community College, Daimler Truck, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Goodwill, Ironman Tires, Maaco, Meineke, MetLife, New Holland, Spectrum, Trane, Wilmington & Beaches
Member of Executive Leadership jointly responsible for agency positioning, day-to-day operations, new business, growth initiatives, AI integration and implementation, hiring and talent development, and agency culture. Led, managed, mentored, and inspired the creative department, production studio, and project management team, fostering a collaborative environment internally and with clients that encouraged innovation and creativity. Set the creative vision and helped establish the processes, tools, and workflows that enabled creativity at speed and scale to deliver results without compromising craft. Balanced vision with execution, from setting strategic direction and developing big ideas to providing hands-on direction and creating the work.
Creative Director, Writer / Freelance
2018 – 2019
Created ideas to engage consumers, build brands, and win business.
Agencies: Ogilvy, Bernstein-Rein, Truth Collective, OKRP, Broadhead HMH, Mythic
SVP, Group Creative Director / MullenLowe U.S.
2015 – 2018
Clients: Alzheimer’s Association, Food Lion, New Holland, USAA, Youfit Health Clubs
Responsible for the overall vision, creation, and integrity of the work across multiple accounts. Led, mentored, and inspired an integrated team of creators in developing and executing compelling solutions to marketing challenges. Having been personally affected by Alzheimer’s, I initiated and led a pro bono effort to raise awareness of the disease that garnered over 786 million media impressions worth $27.5 million in earned media and was one of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas. Launched an environmentally-themed campaign for New Holland that was adopted globally. Created an iconic brand character for Food Lion that helped turn declining same store sales around to +4% average in over 1,100 grocery stores.
SVP, Group Creative Director / Mullen
2007 – 2015
Clients: Dickies, Extended Stay Hotels, Food Lion, Krispy Kreme, Kumon, Men's Wearhouse, Midnight Moon Moonshine, New Holland, Pep Boys, Sprout, T.J. Maxx, Wachovia
Discovered that I enjoy fostering talent and a collaborative culture as much as ideas. Simultaneously led integrated communications for two major retail brands (Food Lion and Pep Boys) spanning TV, radio, social, digital, experiential, outdoor, CRM, email, and in-store. Created an authentic brand purpose for Men’s Wearhouse, Pep Boys and Food Lion so they stood for more than just a discount. Developed Sprout’s brand awareness campaign that contributed to the highest ratings growth across all kids’ TV networks for 16 consecutive months. Played a pivotal role in new business wins for Dickies, Food Lion, Kumon, New Holland, and Pep Boys while earning an SVP, Group Creative Director title.
VP, Associate Creative Director / LOWE New York
2000 – 2007
Clients: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Burger King, Century 21, Electrolux, GMC, Gorton's, Got Milk?, Heineken, HSBC, LEGO, Perdue, Ricoh, Sprite, Valvoline, Verizon
Went from Copywriter to Associate Creative Director, learning a lot about craft, managing clients, and how award-winning work can drive business results. Creative lead on Big Brothers Big Sisters, Gorton’s, and Ricoh while contributing work on multiple agency accounts. Pitched and won Ricoh and led global creative from New York to Tokyo. Created a Big Brothers Big Sisters gold Effie-winning campaign that increased mentoring applications 600% and was a Forbes Top 10 charity pick. As a former fishing boat mate, I was honored to steward the iconic Gorton’s fisherman character.
Copywriter / Ammirati Puris Lintas
1999 – 2000
Client: Burger King
Produced a bevy of Burger King sports marketing TV and radio commercials featuring college football coaches, NASCAR drivers, NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA players.
SKILLS
Creative Leadership, Brand Strategy, Concept Development, Copywriting, Content Creation, Integrated Marketing, Witty Banter
RECOGNITION
Fast Company's World Changing Ideas, Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies, Cannes Lions, Clio, Effie, Shorty, ADDY, OBIE, ANA B2, London International, NY Festivals, Communication Arts, Lürzer’s Archive, Graphis, PRINT, Adweek, Ad Age Creativity, The Drum, LBBOnline, Ads of the World, AdForum, Bestads, SHOOT, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Tonight Show
EDUCATION
Syracuse University | B.S. TV, Radio & Film / B.S. Marketing
School of Visual Arts
Adhouse
References available upon request.