My favorite film is Jaws.
I've seen it more times than I can count, but what I love most isn't just the 130 minutes of run time. Yes, the plot is terrific, the performances are stellar, and the dialogue is excellent. I love that we don't see the shark until the very end, which helps me get past how fake it looks when we do see it. But it's not about the shark. What makes Jaws my all-time favorite is the story behind the story—the struggle, improvisation, and sheer determination it took to bring it to life. Without getting into details,
the journey to make Jaws is as legendary as the film itself.
That's what I've come to value most in my career. The effort is often more meaningful than the ending. The stories are richer than the reel. The connections outlast the title on the resume. The journey always outshines the destination. And, in my experience, focusing on those things almost always elevates the outcome.
That's why I look forward to the effort. I'm addicted to the stories. I thrive when I feel connected to a team. And I know that journeys are everything.
My own path has been generous—but I don't measure it in years, titles, or awards. I value those things. But my true currency is the experiences, the stories, and the relationships I've built along the way. That's what I love about this business, and those are the things I value most.
And just in case you came here to actually learn about me:
I’m a copywriter by trade and a creative director by training. Over the years, I’ve worked across just about every vertical (save for automotive) and led departments where I was responsible not only for ideas, but for people and profitability. Along the way, I’ve picked up a dozen or so Cannes Lions in a variety of colors, plus a collection of other metals in different shapes and sizes.
But if I’m honest, my most valuable skill came long before advertising at age 15, selling prints at Art Plus Gallery in Westroads Mall, Omaha. Retail taught me everything: seeing commerce unfold in real time, how to understand the moment of decision, and how the human element always tips the scale. Those lessons have carried through every role since.
I have an unhealthy obsession with college football and a healthy obsession with supplements that find me on Instagram. I'm also a Certified Brand Strategist (thank you, Scott Galloway and Section), hold a Fashion Business Essentials Certificate from Parsons and WWD, and I'm a graduate of The Second City Writing Program. I'm an amateur road cyclist and card reader (Tarot and Lenormand). These are all skills I draw on throughout the day in varying degrees. Frankly, the divination is the one people come to me for most often.
Some kind words from a few wonderful people
“I cannot talk about Desmond without talking about new business. When it comes to commanding a room and winning over an audience, he is one of the best. He presents work with a quiet confidence and a quick wit. I always look forward to the moment in a pitch when Desmond takes the floor… he will always do something unexpected and unrehearsed that will inevitably endear him to every client in the room.”
Kelly Graves CEO, Eastport Holdings, Former CEO, FCB Chicago
“Desmond supercharged our creative team at Meta during a time of hyper-growth and reinvention. He brought an unmatched blend of creative prowess and strategic rigor—guiding global programs and setting a new bar for what branded storytelling could be on our platforms. He reshaped how brands approached Meta, how we partnered with Fortune 500 CMOs, and how our team delivered impact at scale.”
Tom Brown Former VP of Marketing at Meta
“Des is a closer. He doesn’t just have the vision—he crafts it all the way through. He’s a master storyteller, a multi-dimensional leader, and one of the most thoughtful creative minds I’ve worked with.”
Andrew Keller CCO, WPP Open X, Former VP, Creative & Experiential, Meta