Gordon West Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Atlanta, Georgia, Us

Creative consultancy/indie digital design studio shaping the future of branding, marketing, and content creation for early-stage/mid-growth startups and category-climbing challenger brands. Championing brands across technology, health & wellness, financial, automotive, travel & tourism, consumer packaged goods, beverages, electronics, non-profits, and more.Helping clients capture an unfair share of cultural attention through a full-service approach to strategy, creativity, branding, and marketing. Focused on building a sustainable competitive advantage that results in increased market share, amplified awareness, and enhanced revenue growth. If you're ready to get noticed and are serious about increasing audience advocacy, let’s play! Visit imaginaryfriendus.com to learn more.At Imaginary Friend, I own creative strategy and lead creative execution. Here's my focus and what I deliver on:–Creative Strategy–Brand Advancement–Category Advisory–Creative Direction–Creative Development & Execution–Media Diversity & Implementation–Client Support & Satisfaction

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Headed creative strategy, branding, and communications for a unique industry entry enterprise and online automotive SaaS startup. Defined and streamlined branding initiatives, clarifying brand messaging and cultivating an overarching brand identity. Oversaw the development of all B2B (internal sales team initiatives and marketing assets) while scaling and managing a team of remote art directors, copywriters, UI/UX designers, digital strategists, graphic designers, animators, photographers, and videographers. Marshaled the brand’s approach to the online automotive sales industry, vetting, hiring, and integrating the business' CRM, as well as third-party resources in collaboration with internal and external vendors.Led efforts to help define the organization’s fit within such a competitive marketplace. Developing the customer journey and consumer expectations around the product website in addition to guiding the design and creation of the initial staging and in-beta MVP. Instrumental in helping establish a strategic path and investor playbook that led to a $5MM+ seed funding raise.

With the pending arrival of our daughter, my wife and I decided to move home to Georgia and closer to family. I immediately began nationally assisting agencies and independent clients with new business pitches, introducing new products and services, as well as growing and/or re-energizing existing brands. Working with such agencies as Huge, Havas, Fitzco, DDB, Energy BBDO, Scout, Wildlife, OH Partners, and PromoSocial. On brands like Church's Chicken, The Weather Channel, Pep Boys, LifeLock, La Quinta, Extra, AutoZone, Marmalade Game Studio, AZ Lottery, Wynn Las Vegas, Rémy Martin.• Aided Fitzgerald & Company in pitching the AutoZone business• Assisted with the first non-infomercial related communications work for the LifeLock brand• Helped define what La Quinta means to business travelers• Contributed to introducing the Wynn Las Vegas' new in-the-round live production, "Awakening"

Managed upwards of 20+ multi-disciplinary teams made up of designers, art directors, copywriters, freelancers, and social media specialists. Played an integral part in client relationships while spearheading creative duties on several unique brands, including Bel Brands (Laughing Cow, Mini Babybel, Boursin), Butterball, CARFAX, Craftsman, and Hotels.com.Led efforts on behalf of Bel Brands Mini Babybel to end a two-year steady decline in US sales. Putting them well in the black with a 31% earnings boost my first year heading the account. Introduced a modern take on Butterball's infamous Turkey Talk-Line that took America by storm. Ushered Craftsman into the world of online social media and influencer marketing to great success. And introduced CARFAX's new online car-selling service, acquiring 12% of the market share within year one of launch.In addition to leading new business wins for Bel Brands, CARFAX, Lavazza, and TimberTech, I contributed to Embassy Suites and DoubleTree Hotels' new business wins. While stretching on and providing award-winning work for brands like Land Rover, BMO Harris Bank, and Famous Footwear.During my tenure, Y&R was Named Midwest Creative Agency of the Year in 2014 by the American Advertising Federation, besting numerous other agencies that significantly dwarfed our creative department.

New York, Ny, Us

Working directly under the EVP, Global Chief Creative Officer for DDB network on the McDonald’s US account, I led 12+ creative teams, freelancers, and third-party vendors. Overseeing creation, execution, and post-production of work across digital and real-world mediums for national and international advertising campaigns. My team and I were also accredited with helping McDonald’s achieve the most successful 5-year business run in the company's history. Assisted with leading creative duties on State Farm. Helping retain the $650+ million piece of business with the introduction of the “Get to a Better State” campaign. Resulting in the two highest-grossing years in State Farm’s 90-year history. This is on the heels of the account going into review after being uncontested for 72 years straight. Conceptualized/crafted/produced work for several other brands under the Chicago-based agency's portfolio of accounts. Including Anheuser-Busch (Bud Light, Budweiser), The Field Museum, and Mars Wrigley (Starburst, Skittles, Milky Way).

New York, Ny, Us

As a senior creative, I sometimes led teams on projects under accounts within the DDB Chicago portfolio of brands. However, I was primarily responsible for producing award-winning work for a breadth of clients represented by the Chicago office, as well as stretching on brands overseen by sister agencies. Accounts include State Farm, McDonald’s, Wrigley (Extra Fruit Sensations, Spearmint), Anheuser-Busch (Bud Light, Budweiser, Bud Light Lime, Natural Light), Cars.com, The Field Museum, Capital One, Safeway, Chicago Children’s Choir, Volkswagen, Unilever brands.

Chicago, Il, Us

Accounts include MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Valley Toyota Dealers, Stevinson Automotive, SRP, Crystal Springs, and Corona.

Accounts include Marchese + Partners, San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Accounts include Nascar.com, Mauna Lani Hotel and Resort, Delta Apparel, Athens First Bank and Trust Co.

Sacramento, California, Us

Accounts include AirTouch Cellular, Amtrak, CA Forestry Association, CA Tourism, Sutter Health Hospitals.

Master'S Communications-Art Direction, Brand & Marketing

Bachelor Fine Arts (Bfa), Minor In Marketing