Derek Sherman

Executive Creative Director / Writer

312-***-**** / adyb4g@r.postjobfree.com

Derekshermancreative.com

I lead development of award-winning Creative for pharmaceutical and buitechnology companies, consumer companies, and nonprofits. I partner with cross-functional teams and CMOs, using storytelling to drive sales and brand affinity.

June 2022-present

Freelance Creative Director, BBDO Healthcare, Grey Healthcare, EversanaIntouch Healthcare

I concepted and developed Creative platforms and campaigns for Roche Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Takeda that helped BBDO Health and Grey Health win business.

February 2022-June 2022

Freelance Creative Director, VMLYR Healthcare

I led Creative on VMLYR Miami’s successful global pitch for GSK Healthcare, partnering with WPP teams in the U.S. and London.

October 2018-June 2022

Executive Creative Director, The Escape Pod

I led The Escape Pod’s Creative Department and helped lead the agency. I set Creative and agency vision, partnered with other practice leads, client teams, CMOs, and CEOs. Since I joined, were named one of AdAge's Small Agencies of the Year twice.

My work rebranding Fireball and Smithfield Meats Social feeds led to 50% increases in engagement and Brand Affinity scores. I helped take Merrick Pet Food (Merrick, Zuke’s, Castor & Pollux) from category parity to one of the most asked-for brands at PetSmart, earning more visible retail placement and increased Amazon purchases. I helped a2 Milk grow from a new brand in the U.S. to a 100MM brand with a new creative platform and integrated campaign. Other clients: think! bars, the Hearing Health Foundation, the successful launch of Boa, a start-up hydration drink.

2016-2018

Freelance Creative Director, Abbott Labs, Apple, McDonald’s

At Apple I worked with cross-functional teams on-site on two major product launches. At Abbott my work helped the company meet goals to earn recognition for its advancements in neo-natal care. At We Are Unlimited, my work successfully launched McDonald’s highest-investment new product in years, and their delivery service in the U.S.

2014-2016

SVP/ Group Creative Director, Digitas

I led all Social and Digital for MillerCoors and KitchenAid. Our social work propelled Miller Lite past Bud Light and Coors Light in all Social Media metrics for the first time ever, at a fraction of their spend.

2012-2014

SVP/ Group Creative Director, Cramer-Krasselt Chicago

My work for Corona was covered all over the world, and drove a record increase in sales. It was awarded Cannes Gold and Silver Lions in Media, Out of Home, and was named PSFK's Most Innovative Work of 2014.

2009-2012

SVP/ Group Creative Director, Leo Burnett Worldwide

I led Kellogg’s Adult Cereal brands. We launched their first new cereal in a decade and surpassed sales goals within one month. This work was profiled by the New York Times.

2003-2009

Senior Writer to Group Creative Director/SVP, Energy BBDO

My work for Jim Beam Brands reversed a 17-year sales decline for Canadian Club into a 4% growth. It was awarded the Brand Renaissance Effie, multiple international awards, was written about in dozens of major publications, and named one of the best campaigns of the last 25 years by Archive Magazine. My work for Jim Beam established the brand as the leader in bourbon, at a time when bourbon was in decades-long decline, and positioned the brand to lead the renaissance in bourbon consumption which continues today. 9 of Buzzfeed's Top 10 Alcohol Ads are my work from this period.

Publications

My novel Race Across the Sky was published by Penguin Books. It was named to Amazon’s Intriguing Voices in Fiction, the American Library Association Best Debut Novels, and multiple Best of 2013 lists.

Leadership

Founder, The Awesome Foundation Chicago. Judged the Addys. Board of Directors, the Ragdale Foundation, the 4th largest arts foundation in the U.S.

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