Available to hire
Hello, I’m Maalik Ausar Obasi—a seasoned award-winning Creative Director and professor with over two decades shaping global brands through experiential design, digital platforms, and compelling storytelling. I’ve led transformative campaigns and brand ecosystems across automotive, beauty, finance, hospitality, technology, wellness, and editorial media, earning recognition for innovative activations and strategic brand building. I thrive at the intersection of storytelling, design, and technology, building scalable brand experiences that connect with audiences worldwide.
Currently, I serve as Chief Creative Officer, driving narratives and experiential activations for global brands like Kyndryl and Pfizer, while advising clients such as Hearst Media, Nike, and Colgate-Palmolive. At The New School, where I’m an adjunct professor since 2013, I mentor the next generation of marketers, teaching global branding and strategy, and fostering a dynamic, hands-on learning environment.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
French
Fluent
Work Experience
Chief Creative Officer
October 1, 2020 - PresentLead brand narratives and campaigns for global brands, driving revenue growth and influencing experiential activations. Provide strategic guidance to clients on brand strategy, storytelling, and AI-enabled creative thinking. Oversee multi-disciplinary teams across creative, digital, and production to deliver scalable brand ecosystems.
Adjunct Professor at The New School
August 1, 2013 - PresentDeveloped and taught courses in global branding & strategy for graduate and undergraduate programs. Provided mentorship and thought leadership based on extensive industry experience, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Creative Director at Laundry Service
March 31, 2020 - September 13, 2025Led a social-first/digital rebrand for Nike and Jordan; collaborated post-acquisition to expand offerings; crafted experiential branding strategies to drive brand growth and engagement.
Creative Director at Droga5
October 31, 2019 - September 13, 2025Developed digital branding, strategy & experiential activations for global brands including JP Morgan Chase & V.S.O.P Hennessy; implemented innovative approaches contributing to award-winning campaigns.
Creative Director at L’Oréal / Giorgio Armani Beauty
October 31, 2018 - September 13, 2025Led a team of designers to develop a digital B2C platform for Giorgio Armani Beauty; implemented digital strategies resulting in continued success and increased profits; cross-functional collaboration for seamless project execution.
Creative Director at Vogue
August 31, 2017 - September 13, 2025Collaborated with the in-house studio director to develop innovative digital and print campaigns; designed content resonating with Vogue’s global audience and implemented marketing tactics to drive engagement.
Creative Director at R/GA
August 31, 2016 - September 13, 2025Led large teams in developing digital e-commerce, branding, and strategy for Nike; fostered cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation and creativity, contributing to Adweek’s Digital Agency of the Decade recognition.
Creative Director at Select World
July 31, 2014 - September 13, 2025Led design teams to create digital and offline brand experiences for Swarovski; developed digital strategies that expanded Swarovski Crystal Business globally.
Creative Director at McCann Worldgroup
October 31, 2011 - September 13, 2025Led teams to develop fully integrated campaigns and pitches for Verizon; collaborated across functions to deliver innovative brand strategies and secure major contracts.
Creative Director at Ogilvy
June 30, 2009 - September 13, 2025Led digital strategies for IBM; collaborated with brand integration groups to craft compelling narratives across platforms and achieve strong brand positioning.
Creative Director at Laird + Partners
August 31, 2008 - September 13, 2025Directed photography and video for The Gap, DKNY, and Porsche; steered creative direction for fashion, lifestyle, and luxury campaigns in collaboration with the Chief Creative Officer.
Chief Creative Officer
October 1, 2020 - November 4, 2025Crafting compelling brand narratives and campaigns for global brands such as Kyndryl and Pfizer to drive revenue growth. Consulting with clients such as Hearst Media, Nike, and Colgate-Palmolive to develop lucrative brand strategies and experiential activations.
Adjunct Professor at The New School
August 1, 2013 - November 4, 2025Developed and taught courses in global branding and strategy for graduate and undergraduate programs. Provided mentorship and thought leadership, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Creative Director at Laundry Service / Contract
March 1, 2020 - March 1, 2020Led a team of designers in the social-first/digital rebrand for Nike and Jordan, elevating the brand’s positioning. Collaborated with Wasserman post-acquisition to focus on social-first campaigns and expand offerings. Crafted experiential branding strategies for Laundry Service, driving brand growth and engagement.
Creative Director at Droga5
October 1, 2019 - October 1, 2019Developed digital branding, strategy & experiential activations for global brands like JPMorgan Chase & VSOP Hennessy; implemented innovative approaches and earned recognition for digital branding & strategies.
Creative Director at L’Oréal / Giorgio Armani Beauty
October 1, 2018 - October 1, 2018Led team of designers to develop digital B2C platform for Giorgio Armani Beauty; implemented digital strategies resulting in continued success and increased profits; collaborated with cross-functional teams for seamless execution.
Creative Director at Vogue
August 1, 2017 - August 1, 2017Collaborated with in-house studio to develop innovative digital and print campaigns; designed visually appealing content resonating with Vogue’s global audience; implemented tactics to drive engagement and brand awareness.
Creative Director at R/GA
August 1, 2016 - August 1, 2016Led large teams in developing digital e-commerce, branding, and strategy for Nike; contributed to R/GA’s recognition as Adweek’s Digital Agency of the Decade.
Creative Director at Select World
July 1, 2014 - July 1, 2014Led design teams to create digital and offline brand experiences for Swarovski; developed digital strategies resulting in the Swarovski Crystal Business becoming highly successful globally.
Creative Director at McCann Worldgroup
October 1, 2011 - October 1, 2011Led teams to develop fully integrated campaigns and pitches for Verizon; secured major contracts increasing brand visibility and market share.
Creative Director at Ogilvy / Contract
June 1, 2009 - June 1, 2009Led teams in developing digital strategies for IBM; collaborated with brand integration group to create compelling narratives across all platforms.
Creative Director at Laird + Partners
August 1, 2008 - August 1, 2008Developed creative ideas and concepts, directed photography and videos for global brands like The Gap, DKNY, and Porsche; collaborated with the Chief Creative Officer to bring campaigns to life.
Chief Creative Officer (CCO)
October 1, 2020 - PresentLed development of compelling brand narratives and campaigns for global brands including Kyndryl and Pfizer to drive revenue growth. Advised clients such as Hearst Media, Nike, and Colgate-Palmolive to craft lucrative brand strategies and experiential activations.
Creative Director at Laundry Service / Contract
October 1, 2019 - March 1, 2020Led a team of designers in the social-first/digital rebrand for Nike and Jordan, elevating the brand’s positioning. Collaborated with Wasserman post-acquisition to focus on social-first campaigns and expand offerings. Crafted experiential branding strategies to drive growth and engagement.
Creative Director at Droga5
October 1, 2018 - October 1, 2019Developed digital branding, strategy & experiential activations for global brands like JPMorgan Chase & VSOP Hennessy. Implemented innovative approaches at Droga5, winning awards for digital branding and strategies.
Creative Director at L’Oréal / Giorgio Armani Beauty
September 1, 2017 - October 1, 2018Led team of designers to develop digital B2C platform for Giorgio Armani Beauty. Implemented key digital strategies resulting in continued success and increased profits. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of projects.
Creative Director at Vogue
August 1, 2016 - August 1, 2017Collaborated with the in-house studio director to develop innovative digital & print campaigns for Vogue clients. Designed visually appealing content that resonated with Vogue’s global audience. Implemented strategic marketing tactics to drive engagement and increase brand awareness.
Creative Director at R/GA
August 1, 2014 - August 1, 2016Led large teams in developing digital e-commerce, branding, and strategy for Nike, resulting in multiple award wins. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and creativity at R/GA. Contributed to R/GA’s recognition as Adweek’s Digital Agency of the Decade.
Creative Director at Select World
November 1, 2011 - July 1, 2014Led design teams to create digital and offline brand experiences for global luxury brand Swarovski, collaborating with key family member Nadja Swarovski in London. Developed and implemented digital strategies resulting in Swarovski Crystal Business becoming a high-grossing unit with a global presence in 170 countries.
Creative Director at McCann Worldgroup
June 1, 2009 - October 1, 2011Led teams to develop fully integrated campaigns and pitches for global brands, focusing on Verizon. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create innovative strategies and solutions for brand campaigns.
Creative Director at Ogilvy / Contract
August 1, 2008 - June 1, 2009Led teams in developing digital strategies for global brands like IBM. Collaborated with brand integration group to create compelling narratives across all platforms. Achieved successful brand positioning for global brands through strategic planning and execution.
Creative Director at Laird + Partners
September 1, 2007 - August 1, 2008Developed creative ideas and concepts, directed photography and videos for global brands like The Gap, DKNY, and Porsche. Collaborated with the Chief Creative Officer to bring innovative and impactful campaigns to life. Spearheaded the creative direction for fashion, lifestyle, and luxury.
Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Independent / MAALIK AUSAR OBASI
October 1, 2020 - PresentCrafting compelling brand narratives and campaigns for global brands such as Kyndryl and Pfizer to drive revenue growth.
Creative Director (Contract) at Ogilvy
August 1, 2008 - June 1, 2009Led teams in developing digital strategies for IBM; collaborated with brand integration group to craft narratives across platforms.
Chief Creative Officer at Self-employed / Independent Executive
October 1, 2020 - PresentChief Creative Officer responsible for crafting brand narratives and campaigns for global brands such as Kyndryl and Pfizer to drive revenue growth; consults with clients including Hearst Media, Nike, and Colgate-Palmolive to develop lucrative brand strategies and experiential activations.
Education
Master of Fine Arts at Yale University
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2025B.A. in Communication Arts at Hampton University
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2025Master of Fine Arts at Yale University
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025B.A. in Communication Arts at Hampton University
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025Master of Fine Arts at Yale University
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026B.A. in Communication Arts at Hampton University
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026Master of Fine Arts at Yale University
January 11, 2030 - February 24, 2026B.A. in Communication Arts at Hampton University
January 11, 2030 - February 24, 2026Master of Fine Arts at Yale University
January 11, 2030 - March 27, 2026B.A. in Communication Arts at Hampton University
January 11, 2030 - March 27, 2026Master of Fine Arts at Yale University
January 11, 2030 - April 24, 2026B.A. in Communication Arts at Hampton University
January 11, 2030 - April 24, 2026Qualifications
Industry Experience
Agriculture & Mining, Computers & Electronics, Consumer Goods, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail, Software & Internet, Telecommunications, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Other
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