Experience

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  TrueSense Marketing

  • United States
  • Fundraising
  • 300 - 400 Employee

  • Chief Marketing Officer

    • Jan 2024 - Present

  • Chief Creative Officer

    • Jan 2017 - Present

    Integrating mail, online, broadcast, print, and social media, TrueSense Marketing uses the right channels in the right mix to create a moving donor experience. So donors become more than supporters. They become engaged in a cause, producing long-term revenue that drives growth and powers nonprofits. John helps TrueSense clients connect with donors through proven techniques for listening, creative that speaks to donors’ personal values, and one-to-one contact that engages donors like friends, all supported by analytics for growth planning and production efficiencies that cut costs.With idea centers in Pittsburgh and Seattle, we serve nonprofits nationwide, raising millions of dollars and producing more than 40 million strategy-driven, heartfelt communications each year to connect with donors and motivate them to give.

  • Chief Creative Officer

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  Direct Creative Group, LLC

  • Potomac, MD

  • Principal Creative Strategist and Creative Director

    • Aug 2013 - Jan 2017
    • Potomac, MD

    As Principal and Creative Director for Direct Creative Group (DCG), John delivers independent strategic creative consultation, across all channels and media, to nonprofit organizations and to the professionals who serve them. While focused on creative positioning, brand, message, and technique, John's range of service includes:• High-level creative strategic planning• Campaign-specific creative direction• Mentoring and training for young fundraising professionals• Facilitation of brainstorming sessions• Copy and design direction• Copywriting and copy editing

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  Russ Reid Company

  • Fairfax, VA

  • Vice President/Creative Director

    • Apr 2014 - Jan 2016
    • Fairfax, VA

    Provided creative and strategic leadership for a team of creative professionals driving fundraising solutions for a variety of Russ Reid clients serviced from the East Coast agency location. Clients included Paralyzed Veterans of America, Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, Easter Seals, Young America's Foundation Reagan Ranch, and Telecom Pioneers.

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  Moore DM Group/Barton Cotton/CDR Fundraising Group, Properties of Moore Holdings, LLC, Tulsa, OK

  • Baltimore/DC

  • Sr. Vice President, Creative

    • Oct 2011 - Aug 2013
    • Baltimore/DC

    Responsible for new business development for the Moore family of direct response fundraising companies, from inserting their agency brands into new levels of the nonprofit industry’s competitive conversation, to driving high-impact pitches, to securing new clients with multi-year contracts, and to managing their onboarding and transition experience.Also responsible for strategic creative consultation for select Moore Company clients, including the National WWII Museum, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Museum of the American Revolution, MOMA, Christian Appalachian Project, Wounded Warrior Project, and others, across multiple channels, including direct mail, email, online, and DRTV.

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  Merkle, Inc.

  • Columbia, MD

  • Vice President, Group Creative Director

    • Oct 2006 - Sep 2011
    • Columbia, MD

    Managed and directed creative teams that developed integrated direct response fundraising campaigns for over 25 nonprofit clients, including Feeding America, American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, United States Olympic Committee, National MS Society, Ronald Reagan Memorial Library and Foundation, and others.Directed creative solutions in all new business development efforts for the vertical.

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  Environmental Law Institute

  • Washington, DC

  • Director of Marketing and Communications

    • Jul 2002 - Sep 2006
    • Washington, DC

    Oversaw membership marketing, website content management, publications marketing, and external communications for this policy-based think tank and publisher.

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  Engineering Services Network - ESN

  • Arlington, VA

  • Principal Analyst/Creative Specialist

    • Jul 2002 - Aug 2006
    • Arlington, VA

    Designed and produced all marketing materials and collateral for the DoD Mentor-Protege conferences, a management contract held by ESN through OSD SADBU. Also developed program presentation and signage related to these B2B conferences.

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  Independent Consultancy

  • Potomac, MD

  • Freelance Writer and Graphic Designer

    • Sep 1999 - Jun 2002
    • Potomac, MD

    Served nonprofits, publishers, associations and others with creative direction, copywriting and design support.

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  Direct Design, Inc.

  • Rockville, MD

  • President

    • Apr 1982 - Jun 1999
    • Rockville, MD

    Founded and managed this creative services studio specializing in direct response marketing.

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  The Viguerie Company

  • Falls Church, VA

  • Director of Creative Services

    • Jul 1978 - Mar 1982
    • Falls Church, VA

    Provided graphic design and art direction for this renowned political direct response agency.