Michael Downey
Creative Director · theDowneyProject llc
Chicago, IL
In My Own Words
A culturally connected "Creative Director (art)" with solid attention to detail, intense passion, impeccable craft, and vast experience managing brand strategy while leading senior and mid-to-junior creative teams. "With a high taste and aesthetic sensibility level, I believe in creating work that combines strategic thinking with dynamic storytelling to deliver impactful, innovative solutions. An old-school mentality with a new-school craft." In a nutshell, Born in Buffalo. Grown in Pittsburgh. Shaped in Miami. Living in Chicago.
Work Experience
Creative Director
theDowneyProject llc2000 – Present
Partners: Titleist, Scotty Cameron, IRONMAN Foundation, ATP Tour, Fox Corporation, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Hornets, New Era Cap Co., Heineken, and Martin.
• A highly accomplished Creative Director (freelance) with over 20 years of experience leading creative teams and delivering exceptional design solutions across various industries. Proven ability to execute creative strategy, drive brand development, foster client relationships, and ensure project success through strategic planning and innovative storytelling.
• My leadership style is built on empowerment and vision, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence. I thrive in fast-paced environments where strategic thinking and artistic vision converge.
Creative Manager, Sr. Art Director
T-Mobile2021 – 2023
• Helped to identify the conceptual and strategic direction to elevate T-Mobile’s global brand strategy alongside VPs, executive leaders, shareholders, and internal partners. Delivering well-crafted and innovative creativity across the nation.
• Responsible for bringing the global brand to life through Art and Creative Direction across thousands of annual projects in multiple channels.
• Driving the overall brand voice and creative content for the internal creative agency, T-Studios, I crafted T-Mobile’s inclusive brand storytelling, connecting each channel by delivering numerous deliverables, including print, OOH, social, digital, and video touch-points.
Sr. Art Director
Leo Burnett2016 – 2020
Accounts: Altria (Philip Morris), Marlboro, Parliament, Copenhagen, Red Seal and Skoal, Samsung, Allstate, Kraft, Kellogg’s, Coors Light, and McDonald’s.
• Helped deliver globally recognized work within some of the agency’s most iconic accounts. From working on “Mayhem” at Allstate to helping Kraft “Family Greatly” and shooting the real “Marlboro Cowboys” in Montana, I’ve had to touch and build meaningful work in a variety of mediums for these historic American brands.
Art Director
FARM2015 – 2016
Accounts: SunTrust Bank and People Inc.
• Changed America’s perception of financial stress with national re-branding efforts, launching two Super Bowl spots and two global campaigns and building authentic brand storytelling.
• Mentored, directed, created, and produced over 1 million direct mail print pieces annually, culminating in 12 million digital impressions, over 6.2 million participants, and counting.
Senior Designer & Marketing Executive
Fraser Yachts Worldwide2006 – 2009
• Led international rebranding efforts to expand Fraser’s global footprint and evolve its 73-year history, helping to drive customer acquisition and brand growth by 140%.
• Partnered with the Global Marketing Director and Marketing Director to provide global brand solutions for numerous international yacht shows in print, digital, video, and experiential spaces.
