Andrew Smits
Independent Creative Direction (Ongoing) · Personal
Irvine, CA
In My Own Words
Seasoned creative professional with 20 years of agency and in-house brand experience in action sports & youth lifestyle marketing. A proven leader and mentor of creative teams who produce authentic communications solutions that differentiate and inspire brand affinity within the marketplace.
Specialties: brand strategy and positioning, creative development, transmedia storytelling, action sports, fashion, music & youth lifestyle marketing expertise, copy writing, art direction, design and content marketing.
Work Experience
Independent Creative Direction (Ongoing)
Personal2010 – Present
Ongoing direction of OC Music Awards, and advisor to the Newport Beach Film Festival and the National Scholastic Skateboarding League (NSSL). Previous work with Schiefer Media, Simple Mobile, Royal Purple Motor Oil, CES–Consumer Electronics Show, Surf Heritage & Culture Center, Marchon/EX3D Eyewear, Quiksilver, Tracfone, Rip Curl USA, Outdoor Retailer, OC Parks.
Executive Creative Director
Merit/Andrew2016 – 2017
Creative leadership of a premium branded content studio servicing a broad spectrum of clients from Boeing, AAA, Panasonic, and Quiznos to name a few.
Executive Creative Director
Windowseat–Entertainment & Branded Content2013 – 2016
Guide the development of content marketing through the creative process to assure we are delivering a best of breed product to our clients in the areas of transmedia storytelling and brand narrative.
Brand Marketing Director
Lifted Research Group (LRG)2010 – 2010
Management and direction of creative and marketing efforts through all aspects of the branding process. Leading a staff of 10 individuals and collaborating with executive teams in Sales and M&D. Setting goals for the team, developing organizational capability, and modeling how they work together. Created brand guidelines, strategy and design, brand tool kit and necessary programs and materials to ensure consistency and strengthen brand voice across the company. Responsible for all campaign development.
Creative Content Director
Quiksilver2008 – 2010
Responsible for the development of the brand image and all related content across multiple media platforms– print, in-store, online and broadcast from conception to completion. Concept, copywriting, art direction and storyboarding photoshoots and commercials, working with team, event and platform managers to meet marketing objectives.
Director of Marketing & Creative
Bullroarer (AUS)2007 – 2008
Designed brand identity for global distributor of mobile entertainment; built look and feel (UI/UX) of pop-culture, hip-hop and action-sports web portals; developed content-licensing partnerships with gaming, music and action-sports companies; cultivated all marketing resources in Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe.
Creative Services Director
Fox Head, Inc.2006 – 2006
Oversaw and managed the development of marketing creative for all categories: motocross, surf, wake, bmx, fmx, eyewear, footwear and girls.
Creative Director/Principal
ARSNL Creative2001 – 2006
Founded agency, managing 7 staffers and forging relationships in Australia, Latin America and Europe. Revived Rusty surfboard business to bolster apparel brand; built and promoted pro surf team, stressing performance products for “real” surfers. Brought Flow to the U.S. and educated consumers about reclining high-back binding technology; spun technical narrative featuring elite, X Games-caliber athletes. Launched The Cell wetsuit line for Quiksilver. Clients included Rusty Surfboards & Apparel, Flow Snowboarding and Quiksilver
Associate Creative Director
McElory Communications / FCB Worldwide1996 – 2001
Guide and develop creative for youth marketing division of global advertising agency Foote, Cone and Belding. Rose to the position of Assoc. Creative Director while serving the following clients: American Eagle Outfitters, G-Shock, Mammoth Mtn., Mountain High, Pac Sun, Taco Bell, Vans, Volcom and Warped Tour.
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