CREATIVE

DIRECTION

Make things
people actually give a shit about.

ABOUT ME

I’m a creative leader with 16+ years of experience building impactful ideas where storytelling, innovation, and culture intersect.

I lead multidisciplinary teams, shape integrated campaigns, and help brands act less like advertisers and more like things people actually want to engage with — from the Super Bowl and Oscars to real cultural and category conversations.

I’ve partnered with global brands including Intuit, Apple, American Express, Lincoln, Anheuser-Busch, and Diageo. My work has been recognized by The One Show, D&AD, Clios, and Webbys, and featured in Rolling Stone, Hypebeast, and the Los Angeles Times.

I’m known for turning complex challenges into clear, scalable ideas that drive measurable impact, strengthen brands, and elevate the teams building the work.

While I’m a copywriter by craft, my background in industrial design, specifically designing cars, gave me an expanded appreciation for the full spectrum of creativity and the systems thinking behind it.

When I’m not making ads, or envying the ones I wish I did, I’m training to someday become a runner, chasing the scent of spent fuel and burnt rubber, or endlessly overthinking my pizza dough hydration.

MY APPROACH

Think Slow

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Always Simplify

Smart ideas are stupidly simple.

Collaborate Freely

Great ideas can come from anyone.

Sweat Details

Poor craft makes good work bad.

MY BELIEF

Not taking oneself too seriously is so important in a business like this. But just as important is creating an environment where everyone else feels safe enough to do the same.

Integrity and empathy shape the way I work, lead, and build relationships. When we’re feeling good and are genuinely having fun, we’re making the best work of our careers. And that energy translates into real impact for our clients.

SOME DETAILS

Brands

Absolut
Absolut Elyx
Aflac
American Express
Anheuser-Busch
Apple
Cadillac
Crown Royal
Diageo
DuPont
ESPN
Facebook
Ford
Google
Intuit Credit Karma
Intuit Mailchimp
Intuit TurboTax
Mello Yello
Merrell Outdoor
Meta
Premiere Exhibitions (Titanic)
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Samsung
Skittles
Sobe
Starburst
Stellantis
Stella Artois
The Lincoln Motor Company
Tinder
Uber ATG
Uber Eats
Verizon
Wrigley
5Gum

Agencies

R/GA
Publicis
Rokkan
Sid Lee
Grey
Hudson Rouge
Firstborn

Awards

One Show
Clios
D&AD
Webbys
FWA
Art Director’s Club
NY Festivals
AICP
FCS
IAC

TKTK

tktktk

  • "His kindness and zero-fear energy have stuck with me for years. The kind of person who actually shows up for people. "

    —Jesu Pesara, GUT

  • "Funny as hell, sharp, kind, I've seen him juggle 2-3 whole platforms & double-digit teams, all while client whispering, problem-solving in real time, and being a great parent without a single flinch."

    —Rick Williams, fable.works

  • "One of the best hires I ever made. He's smart, organized and willing to go the extra mile to get the work done. He's also a great guy to get a beer with, which is sometimes more important than the work."

    —Wyatt Neumann, R/GA

LET’S GO

Say hi,

I’d love to chat.

Ryan O’Keefe
Brooklyn, NY

917-318-4463

ryanpatrickokeefe@gmail.com

LinkedIn

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