Pahnke US, Chicago: Chief Creative Officer & Partner: 2020 - present

Co-founded first US office during a pandemic and co-manage a myriad of tasks outside of traditional creative leadership duties including: agency P&L, go-to market strategy, benefit offerings, legal and taxation, new business strategies, real estate and agency staffing/compensation

• Created all agency branding including agency positioning, website, reels, capabilities presentations, and social media channels

• Lead all creative platform and execution for Storck across all media including TV, social, digital, retail, e-commerce, shopper and more

Brands: Storck (Werther’s Original, merci, Toffifay, Mamba, Riesen, Knoppers), P/S (Private Salon luxury travel experience), Victory Brewing

McGarryBowen, Chicago: Group Creative Director: 2013 - 2020

• Drove creative development for Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts including: Disney Vacation Club, Hispanic Social, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Disney Stores and Disney Cruise Line

• Developed and grew integrated communication discipline within the agency including emerging media, performance marketing, CRM, digital, retail and social

• Honored as 2019 She Runs It “Working Mother of the Year”, nominated by McGarryBowen senior leadership and published thought-leadership articles in AdAge, Reel Chicago and for the 3% Movement

• Proven track record for leading and winning new business pitches including global Western Union account, Disney Springs, Disney Stores, The Wine Group and the first-ever Dentsu inter-agency global pitch with teams from McGarryBowen US, isobar China/Philippines/Thailand, Flock Mexico, 360i and Merkle

• Created a new agency structure with a creative team based in New York to manage creative output and costs for Disney Vacation Club business

• Launched, organized and lead the first-ever creative women's mentoring program, mcgarryWomen

• Served on the 4As Mothers@Agencies Advisory Board

Brands: Disney Parks & Resorts, Maven (GM’s Car Sharing Platform), Western Union, The Wine Group (Cupcake Vineyards, Chloe Wine Collection, etc.)

 

FCB, Chicago: SVP Creative Director: 2003 - 2013

• Cross-channel creative director/writer with a specialization in winning pitches, organic growth and media-agnostic ideas

• Ran winning Cox Communications 14MM DRTV and digital pitch in December 2011; recruited creative team from around the country and produced Cannes' short list work

• Pitched and oversaw State Farm Insurance 30MM broadcast and digital pitch in January 2010 with DRTV achieving record call volume

• Lead winning pitch team for the Volkswagen CRM and digital business in December 2009

• Inspired, mentored and motivated a team of 20+ copywriters, art directors and creative directors across four accounts 

Brands: Cox Communications, Volkswagen, State Farm Insurance, Kmart, Qwest Communications, Abbott Nutrition, United States Postal Service

 

Ogilvy Action (formerly 141 Worldwide), Chicago: Senior Copywriter: 2000 – 2003

• Wrote copy for print, direct mail, P.O.S., radio, digital and promotional pieces

• Became a coveted writer and conceptual thinker

Brands: Jim Beam: DeKuyper Cordials, Jim Beam Whiskies, Geyser Peak Wines; Kraft: Tombstone & DiGiorno Pizzas, Claussen Pickles, Miracle Whip, Athenos; Unilever: Degree Antiperspirant; Dr Pepper Seven Up: 7 UP, Canada Dry, Schweppes, Sunkist

 

McNenly Group, Lansing, MI: Junior Copywriter: 1998 - 2000

• Cut my teeth on print ads, press releases, direct mail and collateral pieces

 

Doner International, London, UK: Creative Intern: 1998

• Assisted in production and execution of Chiquita Banana print and broadcast campaign

 

Education: 

Michigan State University: Dual B.A. in English and Advertising, 3.9/4.0, Summa Cum Laude

Honors College Graduate, Phi Beta Kappa alum, AAF chapter Creative Director/presenter 

 

Connect: 

4449 N. Artesian Ave, Chicago IL 60625  

c: 312.286.5250       

e: susan.betteridge@gmail.com 

blog: sheshelife.net