Award-winning copywriter and leader whose work spans all media, all budgets, and most categories. I started my career out of the top branding program in the country (having graduated among the top 3 writers) at a small shop in North County San Diego, where I made work for a local auto row, a local newpaper, a local planned community, local tourism, and a local casino. Plus Adidas. Though, it was those thoroughly unsexy, local accounts that bought the work that landed me my second job at the Agency of the Decade, where I go to work on massive, global campaigns for brands like Burger King, Microsoft, Coke, Domino's, vitaminwater, and Triscuit. From there, I took leadership roles at giant creative agencies, small boutiques, and multiple in-house departments, cultivating talent the same way I do when I teach branding: by championing the idea above all, regardless of source. In recent years, I've incorporated AI in a way I think strikes a potent balance between humanity and efficiency, which is to lean on its weaknesses for unintended gold. Prompting for this is exactly as tricky as it sounds, but I've built it into a discipline.

John Benedict

Award-winning copywriter and leader whose work spans all media, all budgets, and most categories. I started my career out of the top branding program in the country (having graduated among the top 3 writers) at a small shop in North County San Diego, where I made work for a local auto row, a local newpaper, a local planned community, local tourism, and a local casino. Plus Adidas. Though, it was those thoroughly unsexy, local accounts that bought the work that landed me my second job at the Agency of the Decade, where I go to work on massive, global campaigns for brands like Burger King, Microsoft, Coke, Domino's, vitaminwater, and Triscuit. From there, I took leadership roles at giant creative agencies, small boutiques, and multiple in-house departments, cultivating talent the same way I do when I teach branding: by championing the idea above all, regardless of source. In recent years, I've incorporated AI in a way I think strikes a potent balance between humanity and efficiency, which is to lean on its weaknesses for unintended gold. Prompting for this is exactly as tricky as it sounds, but I've built it into a discipline.

Available to hire

Award-winning copywriter and leader whose work spans all media, all budgets, and most categories.

I started my career out of the top branding program in the country (having graduated among the top 3 writers) at a small shop in North County San Diego, where I made work for a local auto row, a local newpaper, a local planned community, local tourism, and a local casino. Plus Adidas. Though, it was those thoroughly unsexy, local accounts that bought the work that landed me my second job at the Agency of the Decade, where I go to work on massive, global campaigns for brands like Burger King, Microsoft, Coke, Domino’s, vitaminwater, and Triscuit. From there, I took leadership roles at giant creative agencies, small boutiques, and multiple in-house departments, cultivating talent the same way I do when I teach branding: by championing the idea above all, regardless of source. In recent years, I’ve incorporated AI in a way I think strikes a potent balance between humanity and efficiency, which is to lean on its weaknesses for unintended gold. Prompting for this is exactly as tricky as it sounds, but I’ve built it into a discipline.

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Work Experience

Creative Director / Copywriter at Freelance, USA
March 1, 2008 - Present
Led multiple brand voice and tone guide creations, secured 5 pitch wins, and had 12 taglines bought across various brand categories including Automotive, CPG, FinTech, Spirits, QSR, Real Estate, Telecom, Startups, Health & Beauty, Enterprise AI, Apparel, Insurance, Home Appliances, Tech, Retail, Wearables, and Entertainment.
Sr. Manager / Brand Copy at Realtor.com, Austin
November 30, 2024 - July 21, 2025
Designed a viral trade booth adopted by convention organizers for their promotions. Oversaw all outgoing print, digital, CRM, and web creative materials ensuring consistent brand communication.
Creative Lead / Copy at Meta, San Francisco
November 30, 2020 - July 21, 2025
Crafted video social content in rapid response to cultural moments and taught millions of Americans how to vote by mail via a single video, contributing to large-scale civic engagement.
Creative Director / Copy at McKinney, New York
April 30, 2016 - July 21, 2025
Produced creative work that earned 2 Creativity Editors Picks, focusing on copy and creative direction.
Associate Creative Director / Copy at Barbarian, New York
March 31, 2014 - July 21, 2025
Delivered creative copy that earned 1 Creativity Editors Pick.
Sr. Copywriter at CP+B, Boulder
April 30, 2013 - July 21, 2025
Achieved 2 Cannes Bronze awards, 2 Cannes Shortlist recognitions, and 4 One Show Merit awards for creative copywriting.
Creative Director / Copywriter at Freelance, USA
March 1, 2008 - Present
Leading freelance creative projects including brand voice development, pitch wins, and tagline creation across diverse categories such as automotive, CPG, FinTech, spirits, QSR, real estate, telecom, startups, health & beauty, enterprise AI, apparel, insurance, home appliances, tech, retail, wearables, and entertainment. Notable achievements include developing brand voice & tone guides, winning pitches, and selling taglines.
Sr. Manager / Brand Copy at Realtor.com, Austin
November 1, 2024 - August 4, 2025
Designed a viral trade booth that was adopted by convention organizers for their promotional materials. Oversaw all outgoing print, digital, CRM, and web creative, ensuring cohesive and impactful branding across multiple platforms.
Creative Lead / Copy at Meta, San Francisco
November 1, 2020 - August 4, 2025
Crafted video social content responding rapidly to cultural moments. Created a video educating millions of Americans on how to vote by mail. Led content creation that drove community engagement and social awareness.
Creative Director / Copy at McKinney, New York
April 1, 2016 - August 4, 2025
Served as Creative Director and Copywriter, producing award-winning creative work including two Creativity Editors' Picks. Delivered distinctly creative content aligned with client goals and brand identity.
Associate Creative Director / Copy at Barbarian, New York
March 1, 2014 - August 4, 2025
Held Associate Creative Director and Copywriter roles contributing to award-nominated projects, including a Creativity Editors' Pick. Played key roles in ideation, copywriting, and campaign development.
Sr. Copywriter at CP+B, Boulder
April 1, 2013 - August 4, 2025
Delivered compelling copy for campaigns that won two Cannes Bronze awards, achieved two Cannes shortlists, and received four One Show Merits. Built creative messaging that resonated globally.

Education

Masters at VCU Brandcenter, Richmond, VA
August 1, 2003 - May 31, 2005
Masters at VCU Brand Center, Richmond, VA
August 1, 2003 - May 1, 2005

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Software & Internet, Real Estate & Construction, Telecommunications, Retail, Financial Services, Media & Entertainment, Other