I’m a creative branding specialist who believes collaboration is the key to delivering tangible results. I enjoy turning ideas into smart branding and advertising solutions across packaging, POS, print collateral, digital media and corporate communications. Over the years I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and built strong client partnerships for brands across retail, education and tech, delivering integrated campaigns that move the needle. I’m passionate about strategic development, concept design, and applying brand thinking across a wide range of channels.

Paul O'Brien

PRO

I’m a creative branding specialist who believes collaboration is the key to delivering tangible results. I enjoy turning ideas into smart branding and advertising solutions across packaging, POS, print collateral, digital media and corporate communications. Over the years I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and built strong client partnerships for brands across retail, education and tech, delivering integrated campaigns that move the needle. I’m passionate about strategic development, concept design, and applying brand thinking across a wide range of channels.

Available to hire

I’m a creative branding specialist who believes collaboration is the key to delivering tangible results. I enjoy turning ideas into smart branding and advertising solutions across packaging, POS, print collateral, digital media and corporate communications. Over the years I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and built strong client partnerships for brands across retail, education and tech, delivering integrated campaigns that move the needle. I’m passionate about strategic development, concept design, and applying brand thinking across a wide range of channels.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Independent Contractor
January 1, 2015 - June 1, 2024
Led creative teams from strategic development to conceptual design, managing brand identity across packaging, point of sale, advertising, print collateral, and digital media. Managed client relationships including briefings, presentations, consumer research, and approvals. Successfully delivered projects for clients including A&W Root Beer, Shoppers Drug Mart, George Brown College, Chatr Wireless, Rogers Communications, Sobeys Inc., and York University with notable impact such as increased market share, brand growth, and record college application levels.
Associate Creative Director at Wurstlingroup
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030
Led creative teams in the development and application of design concepts across a variety of disciplines while maintaining a senior designer role. Managed client relationships and contributed to strategic development. Worked with a wide range of clients including A&W Root Beer, Abbott Laboratories, Canadian Cancer Society, George Brown College, JTI Macdonald, McCain Foods, Parmalat Canada, Tim Hortons, Unilever, and others.
Associate Creative Director at Fish Out of Water Design Inc. (Now FISH Agency)
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030
Provided strategic creative leadership and concept development across multiple disciplines such as packaging, P.O.S, advertising, print collateral, and digital media. Maintained strong client relationships and ensured project success through continual briefing, presentations, and consumer research. Collaborated with diverse clients including those in beverage, food, healthcare, education, and more.
Creative Director / Senior Designer at Onbrand (AKA Strategies International)
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030
Directed creative projects encompassing strategic development, conceptual design, and concept application for mass, direct, and digital marketing communications, packaging, and point of sale. Developed close client relationships to facilitate successful briefs, development, presentations, and approvals.
Independent Contractor
January 1, 2015 - June 23, 2024
Led creative teams from strategic development through conceptual design across various marketing communications including mass, direct, digital marketing, P.O.S, and packaging. Developed and maintained client relationships via briefings, strategic development, presentations, consumer research, and press approvals. Worked on major projects including branding for George Brown College, Chatr Wireless, Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, Sobeys Inc., and York University, delivering successful campaigns and increasing brand recognition and market share.
Associate Creative Director at Wurstlingroup
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030
Led creative team from strategic development to conceptual design and concept application across a variety of design disciplines while maintaining a senior designer role. Developed and maintained client relationships including strategic development and presentations. Worked with clients such as A&W Root Beer Beverages, Abbott Laboratories, Canadian Cancer Society, JTI Macdonald, Tim Hortons, and Unilever among others.
Associate Creative Director at Fish Out of Water Design Inc. (Now FISH Agency)
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030
Led creative team from strategic development to conceptual design and concept application a variety of design disciplines while continuing to maintain role as a senior designer. Established and maintained client relationships including strategic development and presentations.
Creative Director / Senior Designer at Onbrand (AKA Strategies International)
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030
Independent Contractor
January 1, 2015 - Present
Led creative teams from strategic development to conceptual design, managing mass, direct, and digital marketing communications, P.O.S, and packaging. Maintained client relationships through briefings, strategic development, presentations, consumer research, and press approvals. Successfully worked with clients including Rogers Communications Inc., A&W Root Beer Beverages, Abbott Laboratories, George Brown College, Sobeys Inc., York University, Burnbrae Farms, and Fuji Film. Major projects include rebranding and marketing for Chatr Wireless, Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, seasonal campaigns for Sobeys, and integrated branding for George Brown College.
Independent Contractor
January 1, 2015 - Present
Leading creative teams from strategic development to conceptual design and application across mass, direct, and digital marketing communications, P.O.S, and packaging. Established and maintained relationships with clients through briefings, strategic development, presentations, consumer research, and press approvals. Key successes include creating an integrated brand system for George Brown College and launching Chatr Wireless brand for Rogers, positioning it as a top prepaid wireless brand in Canada. Also repositioned Rogers Smart Home Monitoring product resulting in increased market share. Clients include Rogers Communications Inc., A&W Root Beer, Abbott Laboratories, and George Brown College.
Independent Contractor at Self-employed / Independent Contractor
January 1, 2015 - Present
Led creative teams from strategic development to conceptual design across mass, direct and digital marketing communications, POS and packaging. Built and maintained client relationships through briefings, strategic development, presentations, consumer research and press approvals. Delivered integrated campaigns and brand systems for clients including A&W Root Beer, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, Sobeys, George Brown College, Chatr Wireless and York University.

Education

3 Year Diploma, Graphic Design at George Brown College
January 11, 2030 - September 2, 2025
Design Management, 1 semester at Ryerson University
January 11, 2030 - September 2, 2025
Software training at Toronto Image Works
January 11, 2030 - September 2, 2025
Diploma at George Brown College
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Design Management (short course) at Ryerson University
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Software training at Toronto Image Works
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025

Qualifications

Design Management
January 11, 2030 - June 23, 2025
Software Training
January 11, 2030 - June 23, 2025
American Package Design Awards, Certificate of Excellence - Tylenol Brand Redesign
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Summit International Award, Silver - Tylenol Brand Redesign
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Retail, Education, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment