Archival photograph of rising ad star, Katie Willis, featured on the Forbes 8 Under 8 List.
about katie willis
I am a freelance creative director, art director and sometimes writer.
I’ve been solving business problems with creativity since I was a small child, when sluggish sales at my lemonade stand led me to surprise and delight customers with an unexpected offering: my parents’ Bud Light. (See photo).
Since then, my work in advertising has gone #1 on YouTube, been upvoted to the front page of Reddit, been named Entrepreneur’s #1 of 100 Brilliant Ideas, won Best Documentary at the Webbys and a Grand Clio in Film, been nominated for Funniest Ad of the Year, and racked up between 17 views and 300 million views on YouTube.
After nearly two decades working in New York, Portland and Los Angeles, I’ve relocated my * private practice * to my hometown of Richmond, Virginia, where my husband and I are raising two hilarious / wild children and a boxer named Frank.
✨ EXPERIENCE
Freelance
2022 - now
Apple, Google, Coinbase, Martin Agency, Wieden + Kennedy PDX, Wieden + Kennedy NY and more
Wieden + Kennedy (Portland)
2018 - 2022
Clash of Clans, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Samsung, Converse, Travel Oregon, Impossible Foods
Droga5
2015 - 2018
MailChimp, Google, Johnsonville Sausage Dos Equis, Quilted Northern
VCU Brandcenter
MS in Business / Art Direction
University of Virginia
BA in Urban and Environmental Planning
Minors in Architecture and Drama
Upright Citizens Brigade Theater Training
2010 - 2013
Pretend school
💅 currently
I am available for:
✿ Freelance art direction or creative direction
✿ Brand platforms
✿ Campaign concepts
✿ Social-first ideas
✿ Scriptwriting
✿ Drinking iced coffee year-round