“Know what you stand for
as a brand, then do
amazing things to prove it.”
Derek is a creative leader (and doer) who's led multiple award-winning advertising campaigns, won millions in new business, and co-created three kids.
After graduating with honors from Florida State University, Derek’s career officially took off when his first ad appeared on the back of Rolling Stone magazine. Flipping the publication over and seeing the Beastie Boys on the front cover, sealed his love of this industry and its connection to pop culture.
Early on in Detroit, Derek led multiple new car launches, re-introduced a new generation to orange juice for Minute Maid, saved the Detroit Zoo, and helped launch a tennis apparel start-up.
He later traveled to Chicago to blow stuff up with Allstate’s Mayhem. While there, he led the launch of Coors Light’s social accounts, created a digital activation that triggered record attendance for the Art Institute of Chicago, and generated a lot of drama for Cars.com’s All Drive, No Drama campaign.
In his search to find new ways to tell stories through technology, Derek found an agency full of kindred spirits at VMLY&R in Kansas City. There, he helped create Snapchat’s biggest ad to date with the Gatorade Super Bowl dunk filter. He also helped develop Electrolux’s first ever endless aisle touchscreen experience. And was part of the team that earned international recognition for creating the world’s first Color Blind Viewfinder for Tennessee Tourism.
In 2019, Derek’s work on Wendy’s Fortnite gaming and Roast Day social activations helped VMLY&R Kansas City garner “Cannes Agency of the Year for Reach,” racking up 10 Lions, including a coveted Grand Prix. In addition to Cannes, his work has been recognized by the One Show, Clio, D&AD, Effie, Webby, London International, ADC, and his mom’s refrigerator.
Currently, Derek is leading the creative reinvention of one of the world’s largest tech brands, Intel.
When he isn’t telling brand stories, Derek can be found writing his own sci-fi stories, designing toy figures, playing tennis, browsing sneaker sites, or thinking of big ideas while walking his tiny dog.
AWARDS
Sure, like a lot of creatives, I’ve won a few bowling trophies. 20 Cannes Lions, 13 Clios, yada, yada, yada. But what I’m most proud of, isn’t the number. It’s that I’ve won them on multiple accounts, partnering with super talented people to solve different problems for different brands.
BRANDS
This site represents only a sampling of the creative pieces I’ve produced. I’ve had the great fortune to work with so many iconic brands over the course of my career.
