Ethan Johnson  |  Creative Director, Writer

ethanjohnsonwrites@gmail.com  |  206.930.4645  |  ethanwriter.com

Dynamic Creative Director and Writer with a proven track record at Amazon, Starbucks, Oracle, and advertising agencies, blending an innovative mindset and leadership abilities to drive successful campaign executions. Excelled in user experience content and strategic thinking, notably achieving over 750k views on influencer channels for Oracle's global pi day event, surpassing registration goals by 100%. Named Panera Bread and developed naming processes for Oracle and Starbucks.

Experience

NOV ’22 – APR ’24

Group Creative Director | Chapter & Verse, Seattle, Washington

  • Created concepts for digital, radio, TV, print, and OOH for the NBA and Numerica Credit Union.

  • Wrote long-form narrative scripts for Microsoft's annual compliance training and their global marketing organization.

  • Won $275K in new business with Microsoft, based on my critique of client's video scripts.

  • Won new business with Meta and provided creative direction to a remote freelance illustrator and a writer for social videos.

  • Provided creative direction and ensured quality control throughout all phases of video production.

JUN ’21 – AUG ’22

Associate Creative Director | Oracle, Seattle, Washington

  • Utilized strong leadership and communication abilities to direct and collaborate with art directors in Mexico via Zoom to bring creative visions to life.

  • Provided effective copywriting for various mediums including print, digital, and social.

  • Created the lead concept for Oracle Cloud ERP campaign, generating urgency for CIOs and CFOs to move to the cloud.

MAR ’19 – MAY ’21

Principal Creative Director, L7 | Amazon, Seattle, Washington

  • Developed Amazon's first prepared food brand, Amazon Kitchen. Responsible for naming, positioning, brand architecture, vision, voice, and brand guidelines.

  • Managed the development of creative concepts from ideation to completion while ensuring alignment with brand standards.

  • Directed visual design, copywriting, and content for social, digital, physical retail, and packaging.

APR ’04 – NOV ’18

Associate Creative Director, Content | Starbucks, Seattle, Washington

  • Co-led Starbucks first in-house advertising agency. Hired a 30+ person staff, and created the first brand campaign for Starbucks Coffee, Canada.

  • Named Fizzio, Blonde Espresso, Café Estima Blend, Tribute Blend, The Tryer Center, Little Big Show, and others.

  • Provided creative direction, copywriting, and concept development for local, national, and global seasonal campaigns.

  • Managed up to eight writers and recruited top-notch talent to build strong creative team.

APR ’03 – APR ’04

Senior Copywriter | BBFM Seattle, Washington

  • Created direct mail and digital campaigns.

  • Collaborated with PR agencies, developing concepts to engage the press.

  • Wrote compelling packaging copy.

  • Clients: Microsoft Hardware, Microsoft Business Solutions

AUG ’02 – APR ’03

Senior Copywriter | Ethan Johnson Creative Seattle, Washington

  • Wrote persuasive copy and provided naming for Copacino Fujikado, Nordstrom, BBFM, Weis Design, Blank

    Slate, Daniels-Brown Advertising, and Partnership for Learning.

OCT ’01 – AUG ’02

Copywriter | Copacino Fujikado Seattle, Washington

  • Collaborated with an art director to create compelling campaigns for print, OOH, radio and TV.

  • Clients: Seattle Times, Sound Transit, Northwest Hospital, SAFECO, Intiman Theatre

MAR ’00 – AUG ’01

Copywriter | McCann-Erickson Seattle, Washington

  • Collaborated with an art director to create campaigns including radio, print, and OOH.

  • Clients: Washington Mutual, Washington Apple Commission, Krusteaz, Woodland Park Zoo

MAY ’99 – MAR ’00

Senior Copywriter | Nordstrom Advertising Seattle, Washington

  • Wrote persuasive copy for print, OOH, and retail signage.

  • Lead writer for the company's first in-store catalog.

JUL ’95 – JAN ’99

Copywriter | Heckler Associates Seattle, Washington

  • Learned the art and science of product and company naming from branding legend, Terry Heckler.

  • Named Panera Bread, Starbucks JavaSea Blend, and others.

  • Created print, OOH, and broadcast campaigns for Ivar's Restaurants, Redhook Ale Brewery, Pagliacci Pizza, Starbucks, Freestone Inn, and New Balance.

Education

JUN ’88

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Creative Writing

The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington

JUN ’99

Advertising Portfolio, Copywriting

School of Visual Concepts, Seattle, Washington

sKILLS

Strategic Thinking | Problem Solving | Storytelling Techniques | Digital Marketing | Concept Development | Brand Building | Project Oversight | Video Production | Creative Vision Cross-Functional Collaboration | Campaign Execution | Leadership Abilities

Awards

  • Puget Sound Radio Broadcasters, Soundies

  • CA Design Annuals

  • Graphic Design USA

  • First Place (picture book) and Finalist (novel), Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest