Blog

Profile

Brown David

David Brown

Strategic Art/Creative Director

Name:David Brown
Phone:905 617 9297
Email:dave@notyourordinarydave.com
A versatile and strategic art director with a proven ability to sell ideas and develop high-performing teams. Bringing extensive experience in leading transformative campaigns from initial concept through to successful launch, I am an inspirational leader passionate about design, fostering client partnerships, and driving impactful results through collaboration.

Career Summary

Apr 1995 - present

Orbit Studios

Chief Creative Officer

Branding and Visual Identity, Marketing + Social Media Strategies, Omni-channel Campaigns, Retail POS Design, Brand Management and Stewardship, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Illustration, Copywriting, Website Design and Development, Website Management, WordPress, Web Hosting.

Partnered as a creative resource for The Hatchery Marketing Group, Black Rock Marketing Group and Riverside Naturals Inc. (MadeGood):
• Presented creative concepts and campaigns to clients, effectively communicating the strategic rationale
• Worked closely with copywriters, designers and account managers to ensure cohesive and effective campaign execution
• Oversaw the production of video content, including storyboards, directing and collaborating with production teams to ensure high-quality output

Globe Productions:
• Led the design and development of musical theatre show logos, visual identity systems, and print/social media campaigns over 10 years running for Globe Productions, contributing to a steady increase in ticket sales and enhancing the group’s image.

Milton Chamber of Commerce
• Secured and led a successful RFP bid and presentation to the Milton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, resulting in the re-design of the Escarpment Country website and online visitor guide.
• Designed, developed, and implemented a content management system (CMS) for the new Escarpment Country website and online visitor guide, delivered on time and on budget.

Sep 2023 - Oct 2024

The Hatchery Marketing Group

Senior Art Director

The Hatchery MG, the in-house agency for Maple Leaf Foods and associated brands.

 

  • Led ideation, creative development, and art direction for the 2024 Schneiders Blue Jays omni-channel campaign, resulting in Schneiders extending their partnership for five additional years.
  • Directed planning and art direction for the 2024 Maple Leaf Foods Top Dog Summer campaign, leading to highly positive client feedback and satisfaction.
  • Developed and guided the art direction for an omni-channel campaign launching Bear Paws Crunchy, which was highly praised by the client.
  • Conceptualized, developed, and directed design/art direction for a digital campaign (Meta Instant Experience with dynamic and static ad units) to introduce the Fantino & Mondello brand to English Canada, garnering exceptional client reception.
  • Led ideation, creative development, and art direction for a digital campaign (social media and DRV) for Schneiders Deli 2024, which surpassed sales targets.
  • Managed studio and freelance design resources to deliver all projects on time, consistently meeting client objectives and expectations.
  • Provided mentorship and coaching to in-house studio designers, fostering professional growth and development within the team.
Dec 2021 - Apr 2023

Goods & Commerce

Senior Art Director, Kraft Heinz

L’Atelier, the design-obsessed in-house creative studio for Kraft Heinz.

 

  • Led ideation, creative development, design, and art direction for several omni-channel programs for Kraft Heinz national brands, resulting in increased sales and improved client satisfaction.
  • Designed and developed the UI for the 2022 Kraft Heinz Festive Program microsite, integrating contest and influencer content that significantly exceeded client engagement targets.
  • Presented successful creative strategy proposals for large national omni-channel campaigns for Kraft Heinz, ensuring programs stayed on schedule and clients were satisfied with the creative solutions and incorporation of their feedback.
  • Converted internal PDF newsletters to HTML for Kraft Heinz, enabling more efficient information sharing via email and mobile platforms.
Jun 2018 - Dec 2021

Superior Glove Works Ltd.

Creative Manager
  • Led the re-branding of all corporate creative assets including catalogs, flyers, social media, and packaging, empowering junior team members through active involvement in concept development and presentations.
  • Developed and designed marketing programs and collateral for a global brand, driving cohesive brand representation.
  • Created new brand rationale, logo usage, and visual guideline toolkits to ensure brand consistency and improve efficiency in developing marketing materials.
  • Managed creative projects and designers effectively, improving efficiency and fostering a more engaged and productive creative team.
  • Developed and executed social media content strategies, increasing reach and engagement across platforms.
Apr 2015 - May 2018

Match Marketing Group

Art Director
  • Led ideation, creative development and art direction for several omni-channel scale programs for Mars Petcare and J.M. Smucker & Co. national brands, driving impactful campaigns.
  • Delivered multiple successful creative presentations to clients, securing buy-in ahead of competing agencies.
  • Managed creative projects and designers effectively, resulting in a significant reduction in freelance costs.
  • Developed visual guideline toolkits for multiple programs, ensuring brand consistency across partner agencies.
  • Created and designed social media content for Pedigree, Whiskas and Cesar brands, increasing reach and engagement.
Jan 2014 - Feb 2015

Xerox Canada

Art Director, Sobeys
  • Developed, designed, and executed several Sobeys in-store point-of-sale (POS) campaigns on time and on budget, delivering cost savings to Sobeys and solidifying Xerox as a key creative agency partner.
  • Co-led a successful pitch to secure Sobeys’ Summer campaign conceptual and production work, generating significant additional revenue for Xerox.
  • Led the creation of visual guideline toolkits for each program, ensuring brand consistency between Sobeys’ partner agencies and internal creative teams.
  • Streamlined internal creative team processes by refining documents, naming conventions, and creating a digital asset catalog, achieving operational efficiencies.
  • Led a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt project to implement a national digital asset management strategy, resulting in cost savings and workflow efficiencies for Sobeys, and positioning Xerox for future revenue opportunities.
Jan 2012 - Dec 2013

Xerox Canada

Account Operations Manager, Global Delivery Centre
  • Selected for training and job shadowing at Xerox EU head office to operationalize the Global Delivery Centre (GDC) in Canada, successfully managing creative and print production for major Canadian retail clients.
  • Conducted user acceptance testing (UAT) for the GDC workflow platform, ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness for its Canadian launch.
  • Led process development, documentation, and creation of temporary manual tools to manage workflow, rapidly enhancing team capabilities to onboard Sobeys as a client.
  • Oversaw the execution of $18 million in print production (POS and Décor signage) for Sobeys in 2013, coordinating daily production meetings with the national team to ensure all projects and programs remained on-time/on-budget as per the SOW.
  • Managed production workflow during Sobeys’ re-brand and Jamie Oliver partnership launch, printing and distributing 60 million signs nationally over three weeks, resulting in $2 million in revenue.
Sep 2008 - Dec 2011

Xerox Canada

Creative Services Manager, CMHC
  • Provided creative direction, design, and print production management for CMHC Ontario Region, achieving cost savings and reducing turnaround times for key marketing programs.
  • Led a team of five designers across CMHC’s regional offices, facilitating weekly video conferences to share best practices and balance workloads, resulting in operational efficiencies, increased collaboration and revenue growth.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional CMHC teams on campaign development and execution, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and brand guidelines.
  • Managed the creation, production, and installation of Economic Action Plan (EAP) signage across Ontario post-2008 economic crisis, effectively overseeing deadlines, budgets and transparency for a federal government initiative.
Aug 2004 - Aug 2008

Xerox Canada

Creative Team Lead, Sr. Graphic Designer
  • Managed and grew a design team from two to four by enhancing team capabilities, improving work quality, and boosting customer satisfaction, resulting in significant client base growth, increased in-house creative projects, cost savings and reduced time-to-market.
  • Appointed Lead Designer for the Xerox Global Services (XGS) Site Marketing Council, tasked with developing initiatives to market Xerox services across Canada, driving account revenue growth.
Jan 2002 - Aug 2004

Xerox Canada

Sr. Graphic Designer, GSK & Ford of Canada
  • Delivered a Digital Asset Management (DAM) presentation to key GSK clients, securing contracted DAM services and increasing revenue for Xerox while extending the partnership.
  • Executed design and illustration projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, resulting in a significant increase in customer satisfaction metrics.
Jun 1999 - Dec 2001

Cleo

Lead Designer / Visual Brand Manager
  • Led creative direction, design, and print management for all Cleo in-store programs, ensuring visual consistency, brand integrity and significant cost savings by executing campaigns in-house rather than through an agency.
  • Delivered concept proposals and budgets to the Cleo executive team, securing senior-level buy-in on creative direction and costs for all POS programs.
  • Planned and provided on-site artistic direction at photo shoots, ensuring projects stayed on time and on budget while aligning photography with creative, technical and production goals.
  • Consulted and assisted in the development of Cleo’s new brand launch in 1999, creating a workflow that maintained the consistency of the corporate “butterscotch” color across all media, ensuring brand compliance.
  • Researched retail marketing trends by traveling quarterly to key cities and attending the GlobalShop trade show annually, enabling the design and implementation of innovative solutions for Cleo’s in-store programs.
Jan 1998 - Jun 1999

Sheridan College

Instructor, Illustration & Art Fundamentals
  • Imaging Systems Instructor (technical drawing, rendering), Art Fundamentals Program
  • Computer Studies Instructor (Mac OS, Illustrator/Photoshop/QuarkXPress), Illustration Program
  • A member of the portfolio assessment team for Illustration program applicants

Key Competencies

Strengths

  • Expertise in directing omni-channel marketing campaigns from concept to completion.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, effectively articulating creative rationale to both team members and clients.
  • Skilled in assessing, structuring, and staffing creative teams to meet business needs and capitalize on future opportunities.
  • Committed to fostering a strong creative culture and maintaining high-quality standards within the team.
  • Self-motivated, organized, and accountable, consistently delivering on deadlines.
  • Passionate about design and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
  • Humble yet effective in mentoring and uplifting team members.
  • Adept at multitasking and thriving in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.

Technical Skills

Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Microsoft Office, WordPress, Digital Asset Management, CPS Creative Problem Solving Model trained and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified.

Community Involvement

Nov 2012 - present

Musical Theatre

  • Globe Productions: Actor (Durdles), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2024)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Sage), Vibrant Waveforms (2024)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Daniel, Man #2), Snapshots (2024)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Shylock), Something Rotten! (2023)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Dr. Madden), Next to Normal (2023)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Bob Cratchit), A Christmas Carol (2022)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Man #1), First Date (2022)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Professor Bhaer), Little Women (2021)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Ensemble), Mamma Mia! (2019)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Charlie Brown), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2019)*
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Ensemble), Beauty and the Beast (2018)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Ensemble), He Sang, She Sang (Cabaret) (2017)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Innkeeper), Fiddler on the Roof (2017)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Mr. Jenkins), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2016)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Ensemble), Wonderfully Wicked (Cabaret) (2016)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Mr. Phillips), Anne of Green Gables (2015)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Ensemble), Cabaret (2014)
  • Globe Productions: Actor (Ensemble), All Shook Up (2013)

(*) denotes lead or supporting role

 

  • Globe Youth Productions: Parent Volunteer, Shrek (2017)
  • Globe Youth Productions: Assistant Stage Manager, Willy Wonka (2016)
  • Globe Youth Productions: Assistant Stage Manager, Little Mermaid (2015)
  • Globe Youth Productions: Assistant Stage Manager, Wizard of Oz (2014)
  • Globe Youth Productions: Parent Volunteer, Aladdin (2013)
  • Globe Youth Productions: Parent Volunteer, Music Man (2012)
Jun 2007 - Dec 2012

MiltonSearch.com & Milton Now Magazine

Owner, Editor-in-Chief

Founded, designed, developed and edited MiltonSearch.com, a Milton community news and blog style website. The website grew to be, and still remains a go-to destination for Milton residents, averaging 200,000 pageviews monthly with over 1000 followers on social media. In 2010, two issues of the lifestyle magazine Milton Now were published and distributed.

Education

Awards

Interests

Community Theatre

I am very involved in Globe Productions, a non-profit community theatre group based in Georgetown, Ontario. I have performed on stage in 18 musicals (as of 2024) in a variety of ensemble, supporting and lead roles. I also volunteer in two capacities: using my graphic design skills to produce show logos, posters and digital marketing materials and backstage as an Assistant Stage Manager or stage crew when required.

Sports

Participate actively in many sports including: hockey, baseball, tennis, golf and skiing.

Creative

Cartooning, creative writing, sketching and painting. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I was able to launch a passion project 20+ years in the making: the online comic strip Planet Joey.

Schneiders x Blue Jays In-Store POS

Schneiders x Blue Jays In-Store POS

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Schneiders x Blue Jays Digital

Schneiders x Blue Jays Digital

Creative Direction, Digital, Design, Campaign
Kraft Heinz Walmart Festive Program – In-store POS

Kraft Heinz Walmart Festive Program –...

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Kraft Heinz Walmart Festive Program – Digital

Kraft Heinz Walmart Festive Program –...

Creative Direction, Retail, Digital, Design, Campaign
Kraft Heinz Festive Program – In-store POS

Kraft Heinz Festive Program – In-store POS

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Kraft Heinz Festive Program – Digital

Kraft Heinz Festive Program – Digital

Creative Direction, Retail, Digital, Design, Campaign
Kraft Cafe Barista Launch

Kraft Cafe Barista Launch

Creative Direction, Retail, Digital, Design, Campaign
Maxwell House Re-launch in-store POS

Maxwell House Re-launch in-store POS

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Kraft Heinz Quebec BBQ Program

Kraft Heinz Quebec BBQ Program

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
FreshCo Reusable Bag + Gift Card CONCEPT

FreshCo Reusable Bag + Gift Card CONCEPT

Creative Direction, Retail, Identity, Design, Packaging
Mars Petcare Cat Scale Program

Mars Petcare Cat Scale Program

Creative Direction, Retail, Digital, Design, Campaign
Whiskas Social Media

Whiskas Social Media

Creative Direction, Digital, Illustration, Design, Campaign
Mars Petcare Mixed Feeding

Mars Petcare Mixed Feeding

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Taste the Jifference

Taste the Jifference

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Mars Petcare Oral Care

Mars Petcare Oral Care

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Snacky Mouse POS

Snacky Mouse POS

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Snacky Mouse Digital

Snacky Mouse Digital

Creative Direction, Digital, Design, Campaign
Snacky Mouse Packaging

Snacky Mouse Packaging

Creative Direction, Design, Packaging
Snacky Mouse Box

Snacky Mouse Box

Creative Direction, Design, Packaging
Sobeys Make Summer Peachy

Sobeys Make Summer Peachy

Creative Direction, Retail, Design
Sobeys Summer Campaign

Sobeys Summer Campaign

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Sobeys Surf into Summer

Sobeys Surf into Summer

Creative Direction, Retail, Design
Jamie Oliver Tableware Program

Jamie Oliver Tableware Program

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Sobeys Local Program

Sobeys Local Program

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Misfits and Cesar Social

Misfits and Cesar Social

Creative Direction, Digital, Design
Superior Glove Product Catalog

Superior Glove Product Catalog

Creative Direction, Digital, Design
Ensemble Kids Logo

Ensemble Kids Logo

Identity
Next to Normal Logo

Next to Normal Logo

Identity
Pykrete Games Logo

Pykrete Games Logo

Identity
Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway Musical Logo

Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway Musical Logo

Identity
Escarpment Country Website

Escarpment Country Website

Creative Direction, Digital, Design, Campaign
Memplai Website

Memplai Website

Creative Direction, Digital, Illustration, Design, Campaign
Coulter Services Website

Coulter Services Website

Creative Direction, Digital, Design
Cleo Style to Live In

Cleo Style to Live In

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
Cleo Seasonal Campaigns

Cleo Seasonal Campaigns

Creative Direction, Retail, Campaign
Cleo Think Fresh

Cleo Think Fresh

Creative Direction, Retail, Design, Campaign
CMHC Housing Outlook Conference

CMHC Housing Outlook Conference

Design, Campaign
CMHC Deck the Halls

CMHC Deck the Halls

Creative Direction, Identity, Design, Campaign
CMHC Board Tour

CMHC Board Tour

Creative Direction, Design, Campaign
Little Women, the Broadway Musical Logo

Little Women, the Broadway Musical Logo

Identity
First Date, the Musical Comedy Logo

First Date, the Musical Comedy Logo

Identity
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Logo

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Logo

Identity
Fiddler on the Roof Logo

Fiddler on the Roof Logo

Identity

Identity
CMHC Canühome

CMHC Canühome

Illustration, Design
Illustration – Various

Illustration – Various

Illustration
Technical Illustration – Various

Technical Illustration – Various

Illustration
GSK Holiday Card

GSK Holiday Card

Design
Respiratory Advisory Board

Respiratory Advisory Board

Creative Direction, Design, Campaign
Xerox 1:1 Email Campaigns

Xerox 1:1 Email Campaigns

Digital, Design
How to Succeed

How to Succeed

Creative Direction, Illustration, Design, Campaign
Milton Now Logo

Milton Now Logo

Identity
GSK Sales Manager’s Toolkit Logo

GSK Sales Manager’s Toolkit Logo

Identity
GSK Sampletracker Logo

GSK Sampletracker Logo

Identity
GSK Emergency Response Team Logo

GSK Emergency Response Team Logo

Identity
GSK BIG Logo

GSK BIG Logo

Identity
Erie Thames Powerlines Logo

Erie Thames Powerlines Logo

Identity
Coulter Services Logo

Coulter Services Logo

Identity
Building Evaluations Logo

Building Evaluations Logo

Identity
Xerox Internal Logos

Xerox Internal Logos

Identity
Page 1 of

Maple Leaf Prime RWA Launch

2024 Mar
Lauren Kohn, Brand Marketing, Maple Leaf and Prime

Our WHY RWA page just went live today and I wanted to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to the entire team on their amazing (and extremely fast) work done to get this to the finish line!

The website looks amazing and all of our stakeholders are so happy with where we netted out! This is just the beginning for RWA awareness and I can’t wait to continue to use this page (& badge) throughout the year!

Please pass this thank you onto the entire team who helped with this one

Leadership and Commitment

2021 Dec
Steve Pashuk, Design Lead, Superior Glove

I worked under Dave for nearly 3 years. During that time, I saw leadership and commitment to the team exemplified through Dave. Thoughtful in direction and there for his team, he is always ready to tackle issues no matter what comes up. He is a fantastic designer and a true leader (and always has a good recommendation if you’re in need of a TV show to watch).

Freelancer Free

2016 Mar
Rob Rathke, Sr. VP Integrated Operations, Match Marketing Group

Congratulations on making it to 90 Days freelancer-free in 2016. This is a significant achievement and milestone for the entire creative/production department. During the past 3 months you’ve managed to adjust, support, pitch-in, adapt, and divide and conquer to avoid the use of costly additional resources. You’ve managed to find solutions to staff vacations, sickness, weather and unscheduled/unplanned projects. Your commitment to this goal and ongoing efforts to reach it are greatly appreciated – keep up the great work!

Temptations® Snacky Mouse

2016 Mar
Karie Whetter, Account Manager, Match Marketing Group

The Temptations® Collect and Get SNACKY MOUSE™ teaser campaign launched today at temptations.ca and tempationstreats.ca. There are many aspects of this program that the Match Pet Team has been asked to lead including: all agency project management with DDB & Mediacom, all strategic and creative direction for the full program, all web and mobile creative digital aspects and of course, all in-store POS creation and production. The entire pet team has worked very hard on this launch and continues to work hard on all of the upcoming elements, thanks to our awesome team we had a seamless kickoff today!

I want to thank you David for your amazing work on the creative and digital for this project. The MARS Temptations® team is very excited about this promotion as it incorporates multiple consumer touch points and includes a Canadian specific exclusive offer to consumers. The Senior Brand Manager of the C&T portfolio is presenting our creative designs to the Global Brand Team this week and she very excited by our creative direction on the whole project.

The TEMPTATIONS® Treat n’ Get Snacky Mouse program has been a labour of love for the past 9 months. The team has done a great job of delivering a display program that is exciting for both customers and consumers through amplification to drive awareness and excitement prior to the shop. Match has lead the cross-agency execution to ensure we delivered consistent equity across all tactics including; digital, social, in-store, e-blast, prizing. Even before it launched we were recognized by the Global Brand Board and had display designs shared across markets! – Jessica Hayward, Sr. Brand Manager at Mars Canada

Bright and Passionate

2015 Nov
Johnathon Anderson, Sr. Project Manager, Anderson DDB Health & Lifestyle

David is a very bright and passionate individual who takes great care in his work and those he works with while demonstrating a panache for managing strenuous workloads in a fast-paced environment. David brings with him a host of knowledge and experience in dealing with all sorts of challenges and his creative thinking allows for him to tackle these challenges with confidence and clarity. David is well organized, positive, collaborative and considerate and would surely be a welcome team player in any organization.

Xerox Leadership Perspectives Nomination

2013 Nov
Patrick Tallon, Vice President of Operations, Xerox Services

Dave, thank you for continuing to adapt and pursue innovative, creative ways to advance our relationship with Sobeys by exemplifying the following Xerox success perspectives:

  • Consistently demonstrating the ability to anticipate and responding quickly to opportunities and challenges with breakthrough thinking and fresh ideas
  • Seeking out ways to work more efficiently and effectively to accelerate, escalate and sustain results
  • Demonstrating the capability to make responsible decisions and take calculated risks to get the job done and learn from mistakes
  • Becoming a catalyst and advocate for change, seeking out and embracing chances to shape the future of Xerox Canada
  • Being nimble and resilient, easily adjusting and adapting to changing circumstances
  • Thoughtfully involving and supporting others in the change process, balancing consistency and change

Xerox Leadership Perspectives Nomination

2013 Apr
Cathy Tibbetts, Account Operations Manager, Sobeys (Xerox Services)

We know the challenges of operating effectively on virtual teams. Strong communication skills are vital to the success and bridging the physical distance. Dave Brown excels at keeping our Stellarton team “in the know”. Often, he is the first to respond to an email chain with many others also on the DL. Dave is very considerate of timeliness in the information he transfers to us and openly expresses accountability if he thinks he has delayed delivery. He is open to feedback with the intent to improve in order for the organization to delivery world class client services. Dave’s hard work and attention to all the details is valued by the Stellarton team. Thank you Dave!

Let's keep in touch