1. CARRIE HOLTKAMP
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | COPYWRITER |CONCEPTOR
carrie@carrieholtkamp.com 312.213.3549 carrieholtkamp.com
EXPERIENCE
The Food Group, Chicago, IL • Executive Creative Director, 2011-Present
Head up creative for the entire agency, managing a multi-office team of 15 in Chicago, New York and Tampa. Concept
and write across multiple accounts and platforms, spanning new business, 360° branding efforts, foodservice advertising,
product launches, promotions, shopper marketing, digital and tradeshow/experiential events in the food and beverage space.
Direct 200 projects monthly in a fast-paced environment. Accountable for staff evaluation and career development.
(Clients: Kraft, Mondelēz, Florida Department of Citrus, TABASCO, Dannon, Perdue, Audubon Nature Institute,
Basic American Foods, RealCo, Bruschette Maretti, Louisiana Seafood, Mississippi Seafood)
• Promoted from Creative Director to Executive Creative Director in July 2014.
• Doubled the size of the creative team, handling recruiting efforts personally.
• Headed up pitch creative leading to four new business wins: Incremental consumer work on Florida Department of
Citrus, TABASCO shopper marketing, retail/digital creative for Dannon’s concept store – The Yogurt Culture
Company, and Mississippi Seafood branding.
• Managed a high-profile influencer campaign for PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, featuring Top Chef Stephanie Izard.
• Wrote and directed engaging video content for Kraft, Florida Citrus, and the Audubon Nature Institute.
• Won multiple Hermes, Davey, Communicator, Marcom, REGGIE and BtoB’s Best Awards for directing/writing work.
• Act as Managing Editor and Contributor of the company’s quarterly trend report/magazine — Tenacious Plate.
Draftfcb (Now FCB), Chicago, IL • Associate Creative Director, January-August 2011
Responsible for high-level concepting and management of breakthrough shopper programs, promotions and events with
a goal of gaining incremental display, increasing sales and activating customers in meaningful ways.
(Client: NIVEA)
• Instrumental in global rollout of NIVEA/Rihanna partnership, including multiple global promotions, PR/Experiential
video and tour assets, and U.S. retailer-specific shopper programs for Walmart, Target, Kroger, CVS and Rite Aid.
• Wrote and managed NIVEA/Rihanna and Global POS Style Guides, setting look and feel for work around the world.
Freelance Creative Director | Copywriter | Conceptor • Chicago, IL, 2009-2011
Contract Creative specializing in integrated marketing, brand activation, shopper marketing, promotions/events, digital
and direct. Assignments included Arc Worldwide, OgilvyAction, Digitas, WhittmanHart, Cows In Trees and Peapod.
(Clients: Coke, Whirlpool, FRITO LAY, Save-A-Lot, Kraft, SC Johnson, Unilever, Miller Lite, Kaiser Permanente)
• Permalance Conceptor/Writer at Arc Worldwide February 2010 through January 2011.
• Lead Creative on Diet Coke Heart Truth, spring and September retail drive programs, and CVS Brand of the Year.
• Concepted shopper-specific initiatives for the Coke/Walmart summer program.
• Launched several retail websites (whirlpool.com/vantage, sears.com/whirlpool, sears.com/maytag, save-a-lot.com).
Arc Worldwide, Chicago, IL • Creative Director, 2008-2009
Creative lead/conceptor for direct and retail teams with a distinct opportunity to resource share between the Arc Chicago
and San Francisco offices. Responsible for concepting and managing in-store, online, promotional, business-to-business
and CRM marketing programs, as well as merchant tie-ins and new business materials.
(Clients: Symantec, Visa)
• Managed Visa and Symantec accounts out of the Arc San Francisco office for 4-1/2 months, immediately stepping
into a leadership role, enhancing client relationships and creating innovative materials that delivered results.
• Produced Visa Business Toolkit demo, leading to increased online orders (visa.com/sbtoolkitdemo).
• Created business opportunities for Visa through shopper decks for Apple, Lowe’s, GAP and Sam’s Club.
• Spearheaded initial concepting, theme and ideation for the Norton 2009 G.I. JOE: The Rise Of Cobra promotion.
4141 N. NARRAGANSETT AVE., UNIT 9, CHICAGO, IL 60634

2. EXPERIENCE
Wunderman, Chicago, IL • Associate Creative Director, 2006-2008
Responsible for high-level concepting of retail campaigns and promotions, including media partnerships, cross-promotions,
games, sweepstakes and the creation of websites. Copy lead/conceptor for strategic white papers, signage, radio spots and
style guides. Managed creative staff, acted as key account contact and participated in new business pitches.
(Clients: Office Depot, Sears, Chevron, ConAgra)
• Created Office Depot Small Business of NASCAR Varitalk website, as well as the Tempo Award-Winning
Gift-of-the-Day Giveaway marketing site, generating significant consumer visits and game plays.
• Created the Tempo Award-Winning Marie Callender’s frozen food consumer/promotional website, driving site
traffic and increasing brand awareness (madewithloveandcare.com).
DDB, Chicago, IL • Copywriter, 2004-2006
Concepted and wrote DRTV, radio, print ads, direct mail, promotional platforms and customer relationship materials.
Managed retail launch initiatives, presented work and participated in new business pitches.
(Clients: The Home Depot, State Farm)
• Concepted and wrote two national DRTV spots for The Home Depot Installation Services.
• Launched new marketing campaign for the Floor Store, generating customer traffic and brand awareness.
Classic Residence By Hyatt, Chicago, IL • Director of Creative Services, 2003-2004
Managed internal creative team, project workflow, client presentations and staff evaluation. Accountable for overall
direction and quantifiable results of advertising, including television, radio, print, direct mail and collateral.
• Wrote and co-directed two regional television spots, generating increased leads for new community residents.
• Consolidated 18 community newsletters into one cost-effective, customizable shell.
Draft (Now FCB), Chicago, IL • Associate Creative Director, 1998-2003
Concepted and wrote award-winning direct mail, collateral, business-to-business, CRM and pitch creative. Accountable
for team management, creative direction, being a key client and account contact, workflow supervision, client presentations
and staff evaluation. Promoted from Senior Copywriter to Copy Supervisor to Associate Creative Director.
(Clients: Cadillac, United States Postal Service, Sprint PCS)
• Two-time Best of Show Tempo Award Winner for work on Cadillac DeVille and CTS Launch Programs.
• Developed an interactive business-to-business CD-ROM for the United States Postal Service.
Blau Direct Edge (Now Havas), Chicago, IL • Copywriter, 1997-1998
Concepted and wrote direct mail materials, retail advertising, in-store signage, customer communications, and collateral
materials for special promotions and incentive programs.
(Client: Sears, including Sears Card and Sears MasterCard)
• Created effective advertising that generated new customer acquisitions and increased Sears Card usage.
• Promoted an employee incentive program for Sears, leading to increased Sears Card rapid credit sign-ups.
Marketing Dynamics, Chicago, IL • Copywriter, 1994-1997
Created television and radio commercials, training videos, direct mail, collateral and other PR/promotional items.
Managed sweepstakes and incentive programs, and acted as liaison between the agency and cable networks.
(Clients: BellSouth, Time Warner Cable, TCI, Prime Cable)
• Managed large-scale promotional programs that included the writing of two seven-minute training videos.
• Generated cable TV sales through programming-driven DRTV, radio, direct mail and employee incentive programs.
EDUCATION
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL • B.A. Mass Communications
Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL • A.A. Business Administration
4141 N. NARRAGANSETT AVE., UNIT 9, CHICAGO, IL 60634