Nic Fantl
Creative Director / Art Director Nic@nicfantl.com
I’m a creative problem solver, with 20 years of US and international advertising/marketing experience, who believes in big ideas. In my career I’ve collaborated with some very talented artist, designers, writers, directors, photographers, songwriters, animators, to bring these big ideas to life. I strive to bring out the best in people and make the process of making something together enjoyable and beautiful.
Life is too short to do it any other way.
PURPLE STRATEGIES, CHICAGO
CREATIVE DIRECTOR (AD)/MANAGING DIRECTOR | 2017 — 2020
BRANDS: 3M, ABBOTT, ALTRIA, MCDONALD’S, PATAGONIA,
XPO LOGISTICS
• Spearheaded creative, public relations, and internal relations teams on building strategic and reputation-based pieces of communications for television, print, Facebook, Instagram, and corporate conventions that resulted in various high-level policy changes and boost in sales.
• Oversaw and designed look, tone and feel for McDonald’s reputation communications increasing site visits tenfold.
• Partnered with Strategic Planners and Account leads to develop business and communication strategies that fed into consistent messaging across PR, External Relations, earned media, and advertising.
• Led production teams in the creation of digital and broadcast content for web and television media.
FREELANCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR (AD) | 2013 — 2017
BRANDS: ABBOTT, ALTRIA, BP, CATERPILLAR
• Pitched and helped win the Caterpillar business for Purple Strategies
• Created and implemented marketing campaigns to span across
multiple touch points and digital platforms working with senior
teams to push work forward.
• Produced and edited YouTube video content for several small business owners with limited funds.
LEO BURNETT, CHICAGO | 2007 — 2013
SVP, CREATIVE DIRECTOR (AD)
BRANDS: HORIZON MILK, INTERNATIONAL DELIGHT, SILK SOY MILK
• Created advertising campaign that launched Silk Soy and Horizon Organic Milk Brands in North America.
• Led several teams in the creative and strategic development of integrated marketing campaigns for Dean’s Foods.
LEO BURNETT, GLOBAL SVP,
GLOBAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR (AD) | 2003 — 2007
BRANDS: P&G ALWAYS
• Created and launched the “Have A Happy Period” campaign in 167 countries.
• Worked directly with digital and PR firms, to ensure brand consistency.
• Increased Always Brand revenue $1 billion in 5 years.
• Partnered with P&G Brand Directors to develop on-going strategies and communication ideas that continued to grow the business.
• Identified key insights and cultural differences to maintain the integrity, tonality and consistency of the Always brand throughout the globe.
• Collaborated with P&G design team to develop new package design that increased visibility, earned shelf space with key retailers and helped increase market share. Managed the department with a $1,000,000 budget.
• Increased sales by 27% across 9 states.
• Managed and led global teams in the Leo Burnett network from other countries with “Have A Happy Period” campaign.
LEO BURNETT, CHICAGO VP,
ART DIRECTOR | 2000 – 2003
BRANDS: ALTOIDS, ALWAYS, KRAFTMAID, MAYTAG
• Pitched, won and ran KraftMaid business.
• Worked with KraftMaid design team to refresh overall brand look, tone and feel.
• Reinvigorated Maytag with a campaign that creatively brought innovation to an aging older brand.
• Led Maytag’s Commercial Laundry Brand transition from B2B to B2C to increase brand awareness.
Leo Burnett Art Director
Brands: Altoids, Disney, Maytag, Jenn Air, Handspring compact electronics
Geffen Playhouse, Press and Marketing Assistant
Assisted Press Representative and Marketing department to promote the theatrical season and fundraising.
Awards / Acknowledgements
CANNES SHORT LIST, CLIO | Altoids OOH
ADDY | Always “Have A Happy Period”
ONE SHOW | Bronze Student Competition
SPEAKER / MARKETING MAESTROS | Procter and Gamble Headquarter
Education
1998-2000
MASTERS of Science / Focus in Advertising
VCU BrandCenter
1991-1995
BA THEATER ARTS- Virginia Tech