joe hospodarec
marketing consultant/creative director/ strategist/writer
experience:
marketing consultant/strategist/writer
vancouver 2017–present
creative director/KARO
calgary/toronto/vancouver 2014–2016
creative director/strategist/partner/WAX
calgary 2005–2014
creative director/TBWA
calgary 2004–2005
creative director PARALLEL
calgary 2001–2004
creative director/BROWN
calgary 1999–2001
copywriter/COPELAND
victoria 1997–1999
copywriter/COSSETTE
Vancouver 1996–1997
copywriter PARALLEL
calgary 1995–1996
education:
bachelor of arts
communication and media studies
university of calgary 1995
bachelor of arts
art history, criticism and conservation
university of calgary 1989
hello, I’m Joe.
I have over 20 years experience working in digital, advertising, design and web with local and international clients–and some very talented people. First as a copywriter, then as creative director and later as an executive creative director/strategist. I have won awards in most competitions including the One Show Gold & Merit(s), Clio Award and D&AD yellow pencil(s)–are some of the most notable.
From my CV you will see a lot of my experience is on the agency side, however, since 2017 I have been consulting and embedding myself as a sole practitioner in my client's problems and opportunities. Building digital experiences is something that never ends, therefore I find it more effective to approach it iteratively — release, test, improve and repeat continuously. For these reasons, I’ve been finding it more rewarding to make an impact from within an organization and being part of the results.
I am a collaborative, insight-driven, results-focused marketer who is well versed in modern brand strategy. I offer fresh impactful ideas that continually push brands forward across all media outputs. I am a creative and innovative thinker, an approach that’s reflected in my work. I keep an eye on the competition while seeking new opportunities for brand differentiation in a crowded and competitive industry. I understand the importance of strong strategic brand positioning and how it helps create an emotional connection with consumers to move them to take action. Now that social media has deeply and permanently impacted the way people interact and build relationships with brands, the stories other people tell about your brand are as important as the stories your brand tells about itself. To that end, I am relentlessly consumer-centric, driven to understand the needs, values, and motivations of existing brand advocates, others who have yet to consider the brand, and everyone in between. I apply these insights to the ongoing evolution of each brand.
As a creative director for a number of agencies I've focused on topics as varied as education, tourism, airlines, automotive, arts & culture, energy, social/cause marketing and more. I’ve worked for a varied range of brands and activations to create exciting and engaging concepts for advertising and promotional campaigns across the full media spectrum; social, digital, print, radio, direct, email, television, mobile, web and emerging platforms. Experienced at pitching and liaising directly with a broad range of stakeholders to develop concepts to ensure projects are understood and produced to brand guidelines, ensuring that the creative vision is rolled out consistently across all channels.
I am generous with my knowledge and have a demonstrated ability to lead, develop and empower a high-performing team, including external contractors and agency partners. A natural leader, I am looking to take on a guiding role within an agency or in-house team to increase buy-in and alignment with each brand and elevate the creative product.
recognition:
ADCC, AIGA, Applied Arts, Black Book, AR100, CLIO Awards, Communication Arts, D&AD yellow pencil/ merit(s), Extra Awards, Globe and Mail, GRAPHIS Magazine, Huffington Post, London International Awards, Lürzer's Archive, Marketing Magazine, New York Art Directors Club, New York Times, One Show Gold/merit(s), One Show Design, Print Magazine, Strategy Magazine, Type Directors Club, Wall Street Journal, [Victoria Symphony creative is in the permanent collection of the AIGA/New York.]
skills:
Advertising, Agile Development, Analysis, Art Direction, Branding, Business Development, Change Management, Copywriting, Creative Direction, Digital Strategy, Funding & Investments, Innovation, Public Speaking, Strategy
sectors:
Airline, Arts & Culture, Automotive,Banking, Broadcasting, Charity, Energy, Education, Finance, Food&Beverage, Funding & Investment, Fundraising, Information Technology, News/Newspapers, Not-For-Profit, Social Networks, Tourism, Transportation
industry:
ACAD/Alberta College of Art and Design
speaker / WHERE NEXT?: Creative Writing, Narrative, Film + Contemporary Art
2016
CAPIC
judge / Speed Portfolio Review
2015
CAPILANO UNIVERSITY
judge / ideagradshow
2014
APPLIED ARTS
judge / Advertising Award Show
2011
STRATEGY MAGAZINE
judge / Agency Of The Year
2011
ANVIL AWARDS (Ad Rodeo)
president/volunteer Calgary's advertising and design award show
2004 – 2009