John is a creative leader with deep expertise in pharmaceutical (DTC) and package goods (OTC) advertising. His career began at Rolling Stone Magazine, where he honed his design sensibilities alongside Annie Leibovitz, crafting iconic visuals that captured the spirit of music and culture. Transitioning to advertising, John quickly made his mark, working with globally renowned brands such as Coca-Cola, Intel, Volvo, Coppertone, and Claritin, setting a high standard for creative excellence early in his career.

As Creative Director of Digital Marketing at Havas Tonic, John led omnichannel initiatives for major pharmaceutical brands like GSK, Sanofi, ViiV Healthcare, and UCB. He spearheaded award-winning campaigns that seamlessly integrated digital, traditional, and experiential marketing, driving measurable results and elevating brand presence. His innovative approach included pioneering the use of Google’s Director Mix for Pharma, a groundbreaking digital tactic that redefined how brands engage with their audiences. Under his leadership, Havas Tonic’s digital integration and marketing division became a powerhouse, delivering impactful campaigns for GSK’s Respiratory and HIV Treatment portfolios, among others.

John’s expertise extends beyond creative execution to strategic leadership and new business development. He has a proven track record of securing and growing accounts for major health and wellness brands, including Zicam Cold Remedy, Pataday Eye Allergy Drops (a successful DTC to OTC switch), Vascepa, UCB’s Bimzelx, ViiV Healthcare’s Apretude, and Sanofi’s Efanesoctocog alfa for hemophilia. His ability to combine content development, user experience, brand strategy, and creative solutions has consistently driven organizational success and client satisfaction.

Beyond his professional achievements, John is a passionate advocate for creative education and mentorship. As an adjunct professor at The School of Visual Arts in NYC, he teaches a course on creative integration, sharing his insights and expertise with the next generation of talent. He actively participates in creative internship programs, mentoring and hiring many of his students, and remains deeply committed to fostering diversity and innovation within the industry.

Brands are increasingly less focused on selling and more interested in making a positive impact on society. Always looking to inspire and stay ahead of the curve, John created a live video webcast about this trending subject and how purpose-driven brands are leading the charge and making a difference. With hundreds of attendees, this event attracted participants from the education as well as the business sector. Link to video.

This recent article featured in SVA's Continuing Ed magazine outlines John's philosophy about digital integration and his history as a professor at the school. During his teaching career there, he has helped countless students get their start in the business.