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I am Brendan Watson, a Creative Director with deep experience partnering with large brands and agencies to solve complex business challenges through creative excellence. I bring a hybrid advertising, PR, and XM background, known for advising senior stakeholders, translating business objectives into high-impact creative solutions, and helping teams unlock the value of emerging AI tools in the creative process. Collaborative, commercially fluent, and focused on driving measurable outcomes.…I am Brendan Watson, a Creative Director with deep experience partnering with large brands and agencies to solve complex business challenges through creative excellence. I bring a hybrid advertising, PR, and XM background, known for advising senior stakeholders, translating business objectives into high-impact creative solutions, and helping teams unlock the value of emerging AI tools in the creative process. Collaborative, commercially fluent, and focused on driving measurable outcomes.

Brendan Watson

Creative Director, Art Director, Designer

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I am Brendan Watson, a Creative Director with deep experience partnering with large brands and agencies to solve complex business challenges through creative excellence. I bring a hybrid advertising, PR, and XM background, known for advising senior stakeholders, translating business objectives into high-impact creative solutions, and helping teams unlock the value of emerging AI tools in the creative process. Collaborative, commercially fluent, and focused on driving measurable outcomes.…I am Brendan Watson, a Creative Director with deep experience partnering with large brands and agencies to solve complex business challenges through creative excellence. I bring a hybrid advertising, PR, and XM background, known for advising senior stakeholders, translating business objectives into high-impact creative solutions, and helping teams unlock the value of emerging AI tools in the creative process. Collaborative, commercially fluent, and focused on driving measurable outcomes.

Available to hire

I am Brendan Watson, a Creative Director with deep experience partnering with large brands and agencies to solve complex business challenges through creative excellence.

I bring a hybrid advertising, PR, and XM background, known for advising senior stakeholders, translating business objectives into high-impact creative solutions, and helping teams unlock the value of emerging AI tools in the creative process. Collaborative, commercially fluent, and focused on driving measurable outcomes.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Beginner

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Creative Partner at Freelance

July 1, 2025 - Present

Supporting agencies, production teams, and brands with high-stakes creative thinking and execution. Provides strategic creative leadership across campaigns, including earned, social, and digital; guides teams through AI-enabled workflows and rapid decision-making.

Senior Creative Director at Weber Shandwick

April 1, 2017 - July 1, 2025

Led creative strategy and execution for major Canadian and global brands across earned, owned, and integrated marketing programs. Served as a creative advisor to client teams and senior leadership, shaping cross-functional campaigns and driving quality and speed in delivery.

Senior Art Director at Freelance

October 1, 2015 - April 1, 2017

Directed audiovisual and integrated campaigns for agencies and brands, mentoring teams, refining concepts, and translating business objectives into high-impact creative outcomes across multiple channels.

Senior Digital Art Director at Twist Image (now Mirum)

March 1, 2012 - June 1, 2012

Led digital creative for major brands, developing integrated campaigns across web, social, and experiential touchpoints; collaborated with strategy, UX, and development teams to translate business goals into effective digital concepts and executions.

Art Director at Young & Rubicam

March 1, 2008 - May 1, 2012

Directed national brand work and retailer programs, translating brand strategy into scalable creative concepts and executions across film, print, digital, and experiential touchpoints.

Director of Education at Art Directors Club

June 1, 2012 - October 1, 2015

Led strategic and delivery efforts for national education initiatives, built partnerships with agencies, brands, and industry leaders, and developed programs connecting real-world creative practice with education.

Instructor (Sessional) at Humber College

September 1, 2008 - May 1, 2018

Taught advertising and design courses, guiding students in concept development, art direction, brand thinking, and presentation skills; provided industry guidance and portfolio feedback.

Senior Creative Partner at Independent / Freelance

July 1, 2025 - Present

Supporting agencies, production teams, and brands with high-stakes creative thinking and execution.

Creative Director at Weber Shandwick

April 20, 2017 - July 1, 2025

Led creative strategy and execution for major Canadian and global brands across earned, owned, and integrated marketing programs; served as a creative adviser to clients; developed and presented creative recommendations; drove cross-functional collaboration; championed AI adoption in creative workflows.

Art Director at Bensimon Byrne

August 1, 2004 - March 1, 2008

Developed and executed compelling print, outdoor and TV work for Hyundai, Scotiabank, and OLG; collaborated with account teams and production partners to drive integrated campaigns.