The Challenge

Wieden+Kennedy creates the kind of advertising that doesn't just sell products, it shapes culture. Nike. Coca-Cola. Old Spice. The Super Bowl spots people talk about for years. That level of work requires a rare caliber of talent: creatives and leaders who can operate under intense pressure, think beyond the brief, and deliver ideas that move the needle for brands and their audiences. Between 2008 and 2021, W+K Portland was in sustained expansion, winning massive accounts, and competing for the best creative talent in the world. Leadership needed someone who could:

• Identify and attract top-tier creative talent in a fiercely competitive market
• Support high-stakes international transfers to strengthen the Portland office
• Lead a recruiting team that could sustain the agency's ambition

My Role

I spent 13 years as W+K Portland's lead recruiter and talent strategist, placing 200+ creatives and leaders—many of whom went on to define the industry. Wieden+Kennedy Portland dominated Cannes Lions during my years of hiring, winning multiple Grand Prix awards—advertising's highest honor—for iconic campaigns like Old Spice 'The Man Your Man Could Smell Like' (2010) and Nike 'Dream Crazy' featuring Colin Kaepernick (2019), culminating in the title of #1 North American Agency of the Decade (2010-2020). I partnered closely with the global recruiting network and leadership to staff the teams behind:

• Super Bowl campaigns that became cultural moments
• Brand transformations that required sustained creative excellence
• Pitch-winning teams that brought in the agency's most iconic work

I also led the Portland recruiting team during a period of rapid growth, ensuring that hiring decisions protected W+K's creative standards while meeting aggressive business timelines.

The Impact

Placing 200+ people taught me something you can't learn from a resume: how to spot the ones who are truly obsessed with craft. The creatives who don't just execute—they elevate.

‍For brand leaders: My relationships and instinct have been shaped by this experience. Whether it's a Super Bowl-level project or a key hire at a critical moment, I've learned to recognize the patterns in talent that point to your business problem.