CURT JOHNSON
cell: (310) 490-8318
email: curtjohnson284@gmail.com
curtjohnsoncreative.com
SUMMARY
Creative leader with 20+ years of experience creating integrated marketing campaigns for national clients. Strong motivator and mentor of creative people having guided hundreds of large projects requiring the management of large teams. Expertise in automotive, health care, finance, retail and consumer goods categories.
Work has been honored by Communication Arts, The One Show, Cannes Advertising Festival, and the Emmys.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Curt Johnson Creative/Freelance
Creative Director/Art Director
Los Angeles, CA
2020-Present
UX, web design and consulting for independent clients.
Deutsch LA
S.V.P., Creative Director
Los Angeles, CA
2014-2019
Created and managed numerous new campaigns for Volkswagen, U.S.A. Guided teams working in all communication channels including social media, digital, broadcast and P.O.P.
Client experience: Volkswagen, 7-Eleven
Key Projects:
- Creative Lead on all Volkswagen retail and sales event messaging, supervising over 20 creative people per project.
- Helped lead the shift from external production resources to utilizing our own in-house production company resulting in production efficiencies on behalf of Volkswagen.
- Served as lead creative representative to the Volkswagen Dealer Marketing Association Council gaining approval from dealers on all retail advertising.
RPA
V.P., Creative Director
Santa Monica, CA
1996-2013
Led numerous new model launches for Honda of America in addition to revitalizing all Honda retail advertising. Projects include the North American launch of the Honda Fit nameplate, and the creation of the Honda "Dream the Impossible Documentary Series." In addition, served as Creative Director on UNICARE resulting in the agency being awarded the Blue Cross account without a review.
Client experience: Honda, Honda Retail, Blue Cross, UNICARE, WellPoint, LA Kings, ARCO, am/pm Stores
Key Projects
- Led the North American Launch of the Honda Fit. In the third year of “The Fit is Go” campaign, sales reached nearly 80,000 units per year in the U.S. The most successful year to date for the Fit in America.
- Launched the Honda "Dream the Impossible Documentary Series." This two-year global digital campaign gained over six-million views and appeared at the Sundance Film Festival and TED Talks.
- Created the “Respect the Van” campaign for the Honda Odyssey. The first year of this campaign resulted in the highest U.S. sales on record for the Odyssey at nearly 178,000 units.
- Served as Creative Director on UNICARE, Blue Cross of California, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin. Due to our efforts in B2B and B2C advertising, Blue Cross of California became the #1 individual health insurer in California.
Ammirati & Puris
V.P., Associate Creative Director
New York, NY
1992-1996
Created new messaging for the launch of United Parcel Service European delivery in addition to other services. Part of the pitch team that won Burger King, MasterCard and EPSON accounts.
Client experience: United Parcel Service (UPS), Nikon, MasterCard, Compaq Computers, EPSON Printers, Stri-Dex, Price Waterhouse, Boks by Reebok, Burger King
Key Projects
- Key member of the creative team for United Parcel Service. Created B2C and B2B messaging for the launch of UPS European Delivery, 3-Day Select and Early AM Delivery.
- Primary creative team member on the successful MasterCard new business pitch. Partially as result of the account win, Ammirati & Puris was named Adweek’s National Agency of the year.
- Served on one of the key creative teams on the successful Burger King new business pitch.
Angotti, Thomas, Hedge
Senior Art Director
New York, NY
1990-1992
Created messaging for the launch of several Saab models and initiatives in the U.S.A.
Client experience: Saab, Wild Turkey, Dow Jones, KLM Royal Dutch Airways
Key Projects:
- Lead Art Director on the launch of SAAB’s dealer advertising program. The messaging we created (newspaper and P.O.P.) was honored by The One Show and New York Art Directors shows among others.
- Served as key Art Director on the highly regarded Wild Turkey campaign. The work was awarded in The One Show and the New York Art Directors show.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Otis College of Art and Design
Instructor
Los Angeles, CA
2014-2015
Taught junior level Advertising Design classes
EDUCATION
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Art Center College Of Design
Pasadena, CA
