Creative Direction / Brand Leadership / Brand Strategy

Gary M. Smith

I architect brand systems at enterprise scale and define the creative vision and standards that shape how they show up in market.

I translate franchise strategy into clear creative direction and ensure the work reflects it across partners, platforms, and product categories.

APPROACH

My work sits at the intersection of enterprise brand strategy and creative leadership. I define what a brand or franchise stands for, establish the standards that protect its integrity, and translate strategy into product, packaging, retail, and campaign expression. I have led this work at Fortune 200 scale and from the ground up across financial services, consumer products, and entertainment.

WHAT I DO

01

Enterprise Brand Strategy and Integration

Building and recalibrating brand platforms at scale, from positioning to architecture, across complex organizations.

 

02

Brand Standards and Stewardship

Establishing and evolving brand standards, creative toolkits, and governance models that protect integrity while enabling scalable execution across partners, product categories, and retail environments.

03

Brand Marketing and Activation

Leading how brand strategy comes to life in market through campaigns, creative direction, and measurable execution across channels and partnerships.

 

SELECTE CLIENTS

boom
logo_05_ergobaby
logo_04_dc
logo_10_microsoft
logo_07_disney
logo_11_own
logo_09_playstation
logo_08_abc
logo_03_hasbro-1
logo_12_disneyxd-1
logo_bbva-1
logo_nissan

MY JOURNEY

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
La Visual, 2023 – PRESENT

INTERACTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
TBWA\\Chiat\\day, 
2002

FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
AT PLAY CREATIVE, 2006 – PRESENT

CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
MAGNET INTERACTIVE, 1999 – 2002

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
MRM/Mc CANN, 2004 – 2023

DISNEY ONLINE
Art Director, 1995-1999

CASE STUDIES

Brand Operationalization and Governance

Building the infrastructure, processes, and standards that allow brand strategy to function and remain consistent as an enterprise discipline.

 

Brand Operationalization and Governance

Building the infrastructure, processes, and standards that allow brand strategy to function and remain consistent as an enterprise discipline.

 

Brand Operationalization and Governance

Building the infrastructure, processes, and standards that allow brand strategy to function and remain consistent as an enterprise discipline.

 

Brand Operationalization and Governance

Building the infrastructure, processes, and standards that allow brand strategy to function and remain consistent as an enterprise discipline.

 

Brand Operationalization and Governance

Building the infrastructure, processes, and standards that allow brand strategy to function and remain consistent as an enterprise discipline.

 

Brand Operationalization and Governance

Building the infrastructure, processes, and standards that allow brand strategy to function and remain consistent as an enterprise discipline.