Brand // Strategy // Design

For a while now I've been working to understand consumers' needs, beliefs and behaviors, and then apply design thinking (observe, brainstorm, prototype, implement, repeat) and brand strategy to solve the problems of aligning and integrating a company and its offerings with its customers. The results typically are innovative, differentiating and exciting.

My beliefs are developed through many perspectives on the industry -- I'm proud of having been an award-winning copywriter, managed a lot of printing, media and some manufacturing, run an award-winning newspaper, taught advertising, marketing and copy writing in major Universities at both undergraduate and graduate levels, managed hundreds of projects (ads, commercials, brochures, sales sheets, promotions, events, annual reports, catalogs, direct mail, packaging, brand strategy engagements, websites, large scale IT architecture, industrial design and engineering programs) and client relationships as an account executive/planner. Whew. Did I mention that I've been doing this a long time?

I've been employed by prominent regional ad agencies, pioneering multidisciplinary design firms and juggernaut global internet consultants to complete my understanding of the 'big picture,' and the 'big idea.' I own my clients' accountability to on-time and on-budget, and I always stand up to defend strategy, brand and the user.

Today I care most about using design to create brand definition, differentiation and innovation for my clients. It is my belief that design-thinking is one of the most powerful and under-utilized business skills. My mission is to help create compelling experiences for the customer and end-user across B2B, B2C, product and service businesses.

I am also the owner of the German Village Guest House, a small, popular boutique hotel in Columbus' historic German Village, as well as an adjunct marketing instructor in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and also at Franklin University.