Freelance Creative Director / Writer
Chicago, IL | Feb 2020 - present
I take on short- and long-term projects with agencies, startups, and small businesses. Current and past clients include Bose, UnitedHealthcare, Meta, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Ruinart, Motel 6, and more – both brandside (Bose, Meta) and with agencies (Colle McVoy, BarkleyOKRP, Current Global, Havas, and others).
Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA) · Freelance Head of Storytelling
New York, NY | Jul 2020 - Jan 2021
Led storytelling and content efforts across all channels. Highlights include the product launch of VAWAA Close to Home and the Living Through Transition artist interview series.
Meta · Freelance Creative Director / Writer
San Francisco Bay Area | Oct - Dec 2020
Created and launched a new on-platform campaign with the Creative X team.
Barkley · Freelance Creative Director / Writer
Kansas City, MO | Aug - Sep 2020
Helped Barkley pitch and win AOR duties for Motel 6.
Barkley · Freelance Creative Director / Writer
Kansas City, MO | Feb 2020
Helped Barkley pitch and win lead agency for Delta Faucet.
Havas · Freelance Creative Director
Chicago, IL | Jun 2019 - Jan 2020
Led the National Association of REALTORS® creative team. Pitched and produced the evolution of the national ad campaign, which launched early February.
#ALEXANDCARLAPRETIRE · Travel Writer
Worldwide | Aug 2018 - Apr 2019
Took time between leaving London and moving to Chicago to travel with my husband and document our experiences. Highlights included an eight-day yoga retreat in Koh Phangan, Thailand, a two-week road trip through South Africa and Lesotho, a two-week campervan trip around New Zealand's South Island, and a month-long cycling trip through Germany, Switzerland, and France.
BETC · Freelance Creative Lead / Writer
London, UK | Mar - Jul 2018
Created Rimmel London’s first global, purpose-led campaign to stop cyber-bullying. Co-wrote spoken word lyrics with artist @RayBlk.
VICE FRANCE · Freelance Creative Director
Paris, FR | Jan - Feb 2018
Led and won pitch for Hennessy for a new content franchise.
BETC · Freelance Creative Lead / Writer
London, UK | Oct 2017 - Jan 2018
Launched campaigns for Rimmel London starring @CaraDelevingne and @RitaOra.
R/GA · Freelance Associate Creative Director
London, UK | May - Sep 2017
Helped Nike disrupt Reebok’s CrossFit Regionals in Madrid. Produced social content for Nike Sportswear and Nike Women with @BellaHadid at the French Open.
PUBLICIS · Freelance Associate Creative Director
London, UK | Mar - Apr 2017
Developed social and digital campaign concepts for Heineken.
R/GA · Freelance Associate Creative Director
London, UK | Sep 2016 - Mar 2017
Created and produced a live Nike workout for International Women’s Day with @BalqeesFathi, the Beyoncé of the Middle East. Developed and launched the creative strategy behind the internal global re-branding of Siemens.
AKQA · Associate Creative Director
London, UK | Oct 2014 - Jun 2016
Oversaw the Nike Global Training, Western Europe, and Emerging Markets teams. Creative Lead on Infiniti, M&S, and Coutts.
TRIBAL DDB · Freelance Senior Creative
New York, NY | Jul - Sep 2014
Developed concepts for The History Channel and Tropicana.
ALEXANDCARLAPRETIRE.COM · Travel Writer
Worldwide | 2013-2014
Took a year off to travel with my husband and write about our experiences. Visited 40 countries and drove over 23K miles around the world. Featured in Northwestern Mutual’s “Redefining Retirement” series with 210K video views.
JOHANNES LEONARDO · Senior Creative
New York, NY | 2012 - 2013
Launched global campaigns and brand platforms for Google, Sprite, and the Bezos Family Foundation.
R/GA · Senior Copywriter
New York, NY | 2008 - 2012
Launched Google Offers and Google Wallet – the world’s first way to pay with your phone. Developed campaigns for Nike, Walmart, and Avaya.
FUTUREBRAND · Brand Strategist
New York, NY | 2007 - 2008
Developed tagline and brand strategies for MasterCard and Outward Bound.
Y&R · Account Management Intern
New York, NY | 2006
TARGET CORPORATION · Merchandising Intern
Minneapolis, MN | 2005
PFIZER · Pharmaceutical Sales Intern
Milwaukee, WI | 2004
2024 AdFed Minnesota The Show Judge
2020 One Show Denver Judge
2019 D&AD Wood Pencil for Casting: “I Will Not Be Deleted”
2018 YunoJuno Freelancer Awards Nominee
2018 D&AD New Blood Pitch Judge
2017 Northwestern Mutual “Redefining Retirement” Feature
2016 AKQA Future Lions Judge
2012 Silver Andy: Google Wallet
2012 Webby: Google Wallet
2012 One Show Finalist: Google Wallet
2012 Clio Shortlist, Mobile Apps: Google Wallet
2012 AICP Shortlist, Mobile: Google Wallet
2012 Silver OBIE: Google Offers "Hanging Tags"
2012 OBIE Finalist: Google Offers "Big Tags"
2011 One Show College Competition Judge
2010 One Show Client Pitch Competition Judge
2010 R/GA Cube For Excellence
2010 Cannes Young Lions: Team USA
2007 IPG InterAct Fellowship Recipient
2007 AAF Most Promising Award
University of Minnesota · B.S.B. in Marketing
Minneapolis, MN | 2003-2007
Summa Cum Laude with Distinction
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Milan, Italy | 2005