Creative Direction / Brand Leadership / Brand Strategy

Gary M. Smith

I architect brand systems at enterprise scale and define the creative standards that shape how they show up in the market. I lead the enterprise brand function, ensuring strategy is translated into clear direction and consistently reflected in the work across partners, platforms, and campaigns.

APPROACH

My work sits at the intersection of brand strategy and creative leadership. I define what a brand stands for, build the systems that express it, and hold the standard across every partner, platform, and consumer touchpoint. I have done this at Fortune 200 scale and from the ground up, in categories ranging from financial services to consumer products to 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 Operationalization and Governance

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

 

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.