I'm a strategy-driven creative leader who geeks out over omni-channel campaigns, consumer engagement, digital marketing, analytics, branding and exploring the unexpected to help maximize ROI for clients. And you know what Mark Twain said about finding a job you enjoy…
Kistnerj@gmail.com
Charley Wickman
Chief Creative Officer Guaranteed Rate
John Kistner? Yes please. Insanely professional and responsible. Works hard. Listens. Offers to help even when he could easily duck something. John wasn't a rock of my creative group…he was more a boulder. Did I mention thoughtful? So GD thoughtful. Reviewing copy with him was a delight. He had reason and rationale for every single word. Like a good designer, except for words. The confidence that gave me was incredible. From long copy to short, pithy headlines. John's a culture guy too…as in, he's good for your culture. Because everyone around him likes him, respects him and loves working for and with him. Isn't that what culture's all about?
David Brot
EVP
Group Director
FCB Chicago
John Kistner is the creative I want on every team I lead. We have worked together on Cannes-winning creative and program guide ads, and everything in between. Whenever he works on an assignment, John is curious, insightful, and a craftsman, all while being great to be around. He's a great listener, and takes the knowledge offered about a business and a business problem and delivers an amazing result. I have seen John deliver brilliant brand-building work and incredibly effective business to business campaigns. He is a great listener, always finding what is important. Through it all, the process is enjoyable, because John has true passion to solve client issues while delivering creative that works.
Amanda Acevedo
Senior Creative ACD/CD Art
John is the boss you wish for, and a creative partner you feel lucky to have.
Rare in the ad industry, he was my advocate — and that's priceless.
John's an unselfish and kind leader, with a no-fuss and low-key attitude that makes working with him effortless, smooth. He’s fair, encouraging, flexible, understanding, supportive, and FUN!
He’s a writer that can shift gears quickly, turn complicated messages into human-speak with ease, and knows how to tell a story.
John asks the right questions and brings his dynamic experience to elevate the creative and steer the brand upwards. His open-mindedness carves the way to approaches that aren’t stale, that make a brand competitive and thriving. No matter the challenges, his focus is smart problem solving.
Plus… how could I not appreciate a person who also LOVES chocolate and Italian cuisine, and has respectable giphy game!
CLIENTS
Experience
Freelance: Copywriter & Creative Director, Chicago, IL • Present
- Clients: HoneyWired, Havas.
Photobucket: EVP/Creative Director, Chicago, IL • 2022 – 2024
- Initiated and oversaw the Photobucket brand refresh within the first three months of coming onboard.
- Established new brand voice to go with brand refresh.
- Elevated creative quality by bringing on new staff and freelancers.
- Developed outside production network for video needs.
- Began regular blogs to promote the brand’s expertise.
- Concepted, wrote and collaborated on all video production to build awareness.
- Helped create and oversee all social media assets for paid and organic to drive awareness, consideration and purchase.
- Produced emails to generate subscriptions from new and legacy customers.
- Used Asana to manage projects, team resources, reviews and timelines.
- Forecasted and managed annual creative development budgets.
Guaranteed Rate: VP/Creative Director, Chicago, IL • 2021 – 2022
- Focused on consumer direct marketing.
- Managed in-house creative staff producing 50-60 assets per month.
- Oversaw video, social, email, digital, direct mail, SMS and radio.
- Supervised recruiting, hiring and mentoring staff.
- Specialized in mortgage products for veterans, affiliate marketing, personal loans and HELOC.
Freelance: Creative Director & Copywriter, Chicago, IL • 2019 – 2021
- Clients: Allstate, Designory, Heat/Deloitte, Highdive, JK Design, Monogram Group, Vidmob.
Leo Burnett: VP/Creative Director & Copywriter, Chicago, IL • 2010 – 2019
- Managed creative output of three to four creative teams doing 30-50% of the work on the Allstate account.
- Partnered with CD/AD to conceptualize and craft DRTV, brand TV, digital, social, print and radio work.
- Presented creative work to Allstate clients and managed client/agency relationships.
- Reviewed briefs, managed timelines, oversaw creative through finished production.
Freelance: Creative Director & Copywriter, Chicago, IL • 2009 – 2010
- Clients: DDB, Fathom Communications, Navistar, Ogilvy, State Farm, Sears.
Ogilvy: Creative Director & Copywriter, Chicago, IL • 2004 – 2009
- Conceptualized and wrote copy for Allstate DRTV, direct mail and digital.
- Developed Bumper-to-Bumper Basics and content for consumer education on Allstate.com.
- Helped edit weekly spots for Sears featured in Ty Pennington’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Leo Burnett: VP/Creative Director & Copywriter, Chicago, IL • 2001 – 2004
- Conceptualized and wrote seasonal platforms for Starbucks.
- Developed print and digital for Hardware.com launch.
- Managed one creative team working on Oldsmobile print and direct mail.
Leo Burnett: Creative Director & Copywriter, Chicago, IL • 1999 – 2001
- Developed promotional tie-in between Blockbuster and Oldsmobile to launch first minivan with built-in DVD player. The creative idea helped win the promotional business away from a competing agency.
- Crafted radio and promotional materials for Kellogg’s and Kraft.