Hi. I’m Justin.

I’m a passionate creator, writer, and collaborator across many things.

I cut my teeth in LA screenwriting and working in sketch comedy with partners like Funny Or Die and College Humor. Since then I’ve written everything from creative campaigns and earned PR activations, to movie scripts and sitcom pilots, to rock albums and voice-activated adventure games.

I’m currently based out of Minneapolis, where I’ve worked hand-in-hand with my creative co-conspirators to ideate and execute culturally relevant, insight-driven ideas that consistently turn heads, drive headlines, and most importantly, move the needle for clients.

I’m always on the lookout for the next addictively awesome idea and my work has repeatedly earned the attention of The Today Show, and late night hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert.

Most of all, I love diving into a new creative business challenge, and working with clients to bring to life the vision they have for their customers and brand in the most engaging/fun/smart/WTF/all-of-the-above ways.

EXPERIENCE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Phaedon, Minneapolis, MN | 2024-present

  • Led creative team to concept, create, execute and pitch earned activations and creative campaigns across portfolio of clients including Molson Coors brands (Miller High Life, Miller Lite, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugel’s, Blue Moon, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Simply Spiked and more), Gatorade, Jim Beam, Planters, Hormel Pepperoni, Muscle Milk, 3M, Solventum, and United Healthcare.

  • Helped establish new Phaedon brand (formerly ICF Next)

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ICF Next, Minneapolis, MN | 2021-2024

  • Concepted and executed creative campaigns and earned media activations for Molson Coors brands (Miller High Life, Miller Lite, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugel’s, Blue Moon, and more), Planters, Halo Top, Reynolds Wrap , 3M and more.

  • Miller High Life “Gingerbread Dive Bar” won PR Week’s Best in Creative Excellence 2023 and Gold in The Shorty Awards

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Modern Climate, Minneapolis, MN | 2020-2021

  • Led creative team to produce work across all clients

  • Coordinated project timelines, resourcing, and approach in collaboration with account and strategy teams

  • Established new client relationships and solidified existing ones

SENIOR COPYWRITER, Modern Climate, Minneapolis, MN | 2018-2020

  • Created campaigns for Zebco & Quantum Fishing, The Mosaic Company (including MicroEssentials & K-Mag brands), Bailey Nurseries Brands (Endless Summer, First Editions, Easy Elegance), Medtronic, and others.

COPYWRITER, Gabriel deGrood Bendt, Minneapolis, MN | 2016-2018

  • Wrote content for print, OOH, TV and web

  • Shot and edited video for clients and in-house productions

  • Anytime Fitness spot "Every Step Counts" was featured in Adweek

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Scotch Moses Productions, Los Angeles, CA | 2012-2016

  • Produced web comedy content and advertisements, featured by The Huffington Post, Time Magazine, CollegeHumor, Funny Or Die, Mashable, and others

  • Developed branding and viral marketing content for advertisers

  • Wrote, acted, directed, edited and created visual effects for 30+ videos

  • Managed the group's social media platforms and PR outreach to media outlets and popular comedy sites

EVENT COORDINATOR, Lynne Gordon Entertainment, Pacific Palisades, CA  | 2010-2016 

  • Booked Music and entertainment for private and corporate events and parties

  • Coordinated high profile events (e.g. the opening of The Broad, Opening of the Annenberg Center for The Performing Arts, Katy Perry's birthday party 2011 & 2012) and ensured their smooth production

EDUCATION

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, Hanover, NH  | 2006-2010

  • Academic All-Ivy League (2009 & 2010), Class of 1948 Scholar-Athlete Nominee

  • Rowed in the Varsity 8+ for the Men's Heavyweight Crew through college

  • Sang A Cappella with The Dartmouth Aires

skills

VIDEO/AUDIO EDITING, VISUAL EFFECTS & DESIGN:  Extensive audio, video, photo, graphic design and visual effects editing experience– Logic, Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, and the Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects, Lightroom)

WRITING: Have written feature screenplays, television pilots, sketches, short-films, short stories and novel content. Winner of the 2010 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards for Best Original Sitcom. 

MUSIC: Trained vocalist and guitarist, Performed and competed in Season 3 of NBC's "The Sing Off" in 2011 with college A Cappella group, The Dartmouth Aires, ultimately winning 2nd place

ACTING: Have performed in many on stage and on screen roles

COMPUTER: Highly proficient and knowledgeable with Apple OS X and Windows operating systems and related software & hardware. Microsoft Office and SalesForce CRM included

LANGUAGE: Conversant in Italian and Spanish