Michael Hess

• 360° campaign development across film, print, OOH, social, digital, activations, and experiential; art direction and visual concept development; film and photography production; brand strategy; new-business pitch; brand identity and branding; design concepts for digital, traditional, and emerging platforms; product-launch development; generative-AI content for video and stills • Collaborating with a range of creative advertising agencies and brand partners, including DAVID NY / Miami and American Haiku NY

• Led creative teams on the agency’s most complex accounts alongside CCO Oriel Davis-Lyons • Creative lead for iShares by BlackRock, WSJ, Amica, and internal initiatives • Built global iShares platform driving stronger consumer resonance and 2025 brand success • Guided ACD and senior teams through high-stakes conceptual challenges • Spearheaded AI adoption, redefining creative workflows and idea development

• Worked directly with founder and creative chairman Jan Jacobs • Led creative for Kraft Heinz (Kraft Mac & Cheese, Velveeta, Oscar Mayer, Ore-Ida) and Volkswagen • Produced culturally impactful work (e.g., Velveeta Gold with Julia Fox) driving business growth • “A Side of Bacon” delivered 20% national sales lift • Guided ACD and senior teams across integrated campaigns and activations

• Provided creative direction, strategy, concepting, art direction and design across digital, traditional and emerging platforms • AWAY (Jun–Sep ’23): Worked with CMO Carla Dunham and Thom Glover from American Haiku; led creative and full production of “Travel Changed Me” campaign, award-winning and praised by founder • Ogilvy Toronto (Apr–Jun ’23): Concept and creative direction on TD Bank • Ogilvy NY (Jan–Mar ’23): Worked with CCO Menno Kluin, Carlos Perez and Thom Glover on Samsung Global

• Helped build the NY office alongside founders Fred Raillard and Farid Mokart, taking on multiple roles • Led creative and art direction for Rémy Martin, La Compagnie, Marriott, Google, Sea Shepherd, Air France and key new business • Also worked on HP, Louis XIII, elit Vodka and Stella Artois • Played a key role in winning major accounts, including Google • Recruited and developed creative talent and delivered award-winning work (incl. Cannes Lions)

• Operated within a high-performance creative unit led by CCO Dörte Spengler-Ahrens and Jan Rexhausen • Led conceptual and executional work for Mercedes-Benz, General Electric, Home24 and Rivella • Contributed to projects for Zalando, Sixt, Doppelherz, Rockwool, Nivea, Der Spiegel, Nikon, Vodafone, WWF and Reporters Without Borders • Helped win accounts including GE and Rockwool • Led junior and mid-level teams • Multiple award wins incl. Cannes Lions Gold

• Member of Family 4, the agency’s lead creative unit under CD Oliver Handlos and CCO Matthias Spaetgens • Led concept and art direction for Saturn (Europe’s largest consumer electronics retailer), Stihl and Werder • Key contributor to Saturn’s brand transformation and international industry recognition • Worked across Vodafone, Metro Group, FAZ, INSM, Manager Magazine, Vaude, Festina and new business • Led junior teams • Multiple award wins incl. Clios

Hands-on-lectures in Digital Communication (Strategies and Technologies)

Interdisciplinary Design, Communications Design and Advertising