ABOUT
Award-Winning Creative leader with 10+ Years Leading 360° Campaigns, Activations & Brand Partnerships who co-creates, art directs, and delivers outstanding work across campaigns, activations, and brand partnerships for iconic brands (Publix, Red Bull, Visa, Jack in the Box). Proven ability to:
- Lead Cross-Functional Teams: Partner with strategy, media, and clients to transform briefs into big, business-driving ideas resulting in Publix total sales rose 4.6% lift from 2023-2024.
- Elevate Creative Output: Combine strategic rigor (Effie-winning work) with visual craft (150+ shoots directed) across commercials, social, and experiential
- Foster Inclusive Creativity: Built high-performing teams at 22squared while founding DEI initiatives (The One Club speaker, ADCOLOR attendee)
- Operate as a Player/Coach: Hands-on art direction paired with mentorship—equally comfortable leading a pitch or designing a Pin grid
KEY EXPERIENCE
22squared - VP, Creative Director
Tampa, FL / 2013–2025
Publix, Shark Ninja, The Home Depot, Buffalo Wild Wings
- Campaigns & Activations: Led consumer and advertiser workstreams for Publix, from holiday campaigns to brand partnerships with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Feeding America.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Co-created briefs with merchandising, strategy, and external vendors to align creative with business goals
- Team Culture: Scaled the creative department while maintaining a collaborative, award-winning culture. (London Intrernational Awards, Addys, Effies)
PAST ROLES
Kastner & Partners – Associate Creative Director / Art Director
Santa Monica, CA / 2008 – 2013
Accounts: Red Bull, Adidas Golf, Tagg-The Pet Tracker, Simon G, MBT Shoes, Lifeproof
Secret Weapon Marketing – Art Director
Santa Monica, CA / 2006 – 2008
Accounts: Jack in the Box, SoCal Honda Dealers, Activision, Clear Network
BBDO West – Junior Art Director > Senior Art Director
San Francisco, CA & Los Angeles, CA / 2000 – 2006
Accounts: Visa, Visa Business, Pioneer Electronics, California Lottery, Mistubishi, Air New Zealand
Recognition
D&AD / One Show / Communication Arts / Archive / London International Awards / FWA / Obies / Beldings / Emmy / Print Magazine / Addys / ANDYs / Graphic Design USA
Effies: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Publix, California Lottery, Jack in the Box, SoCal Honda Dealers
Education
The Creative Circus – Copywriting/Art Direction
East Carolina University – English (Concentration in Writing), Sociology Minor
Born and raised on the East Coast of North Carolina, JR’s creative journey began as the son of a traveling hardware salesman and an X-ray technician. His passion for branding, typography, and design was sparked by the pages of Thrasher and Surfer Magazine, which fueled his imagination and shaped his aesthetic. After navigating the hustle of the Outer Banks’ restaurant scene—both front and back of house—he pursued his education, eventually earning his spot at the prestigious Creative Circus in Atlanta.
JR’s career took off at BBDO in San Francisco, where he honed his craft working on iconic brands like Visa and the California Lottery. Seeking new challenges, he headed south to Los Angeles, where he made waves with his work for Mitsubishi and the long-running Jack in the Box campaign. Now based in Florida, JR has become a creative force behind Publix Supermarkets, crafting campaigns that have garnered a cult following—much like the brand’s beloved Pub Subs.
Known for his dependability, enthusiasm, and problem-solving prowess, JR has built a reputation as a trusted creative leader and empathetic mentor. Whether freelance or full-time, remote or on-site, he’s ready to help agencies and clients tackle their toughest challenges. (Confidential references are available upon request.)
When he’s not crafting compelling campaigns, you’ll can still find JR pushing through town on his skateboard, flipping through vinyl at his local record store, or enjoying live music, the latest films, or museum exhibits with his wife.