Matt Villanueva
I was 15, watching TV…and commercial break. Staring at the screen I had an epiphany - I can write better stories than these. I can be more compelling. I can add to people’s lives instead of interrupt them.
That week, I started reading advertising books and emailing my advertising heroes. I had no idea what I was talking about, but I wanted to be in Advertising. I wanted to be a “Creative Director”…even though I had no idea what that meant.
I spent the next few years doing everything I could to build my storytelling muscles: writing a musical, improv classes and gigs, writing short stories, learning about story structure and consuming media with purpose.
Made it through college with a degree, realized my book wasn’t exactly where I wanted it so I kept going and ended up with a Master’s in creative advertising / creative theory. From there, it’s been work, work, work, work, work, and some more work.
I got the chance to flex my creative muscles, sell big crazy ideas, win pitches, work on a myriad of
well-known brands, and even give back to the industry by helping and mentoring students at my alma mater.
Now, I’m all about the team. Creating team cultures where people feel empowered to do their best work. Building a culture where collaboration and understanding is high while ego, bickering, and politics are absolutely unacceptable. It’s the ultimate juggling act - keeping creatives happy, engaged, productive, and doing their best work, all while looking out for the business goals of
the agency and client. Good thing I like to juggle.
Cheil
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Building, growing, managing, and leading a team of 35+ creatives across multiple lines of business for a top 5 global brand.
Tandem Theory
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Worked across multiple brands while managing a team of writers and designers to create insightful work that grew client
confidence and relationships.
Vari (Formerly VariDesk)
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Working in-house with a team of writers, designers, and our production team to create EVERYTHING for the brand. If it has a Vari (or VariDesk, or VariSpace) on it, from clings on the office refrigerators to TV spots and interior design, we did it.
Richards/Lerma
BRAND CREATIVE / ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Created multicultural advertising for multiple brands and helped Metro PCS rebrand to Metro By T-Mobile.
Moroch
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
MEplusYOU was bought by Moroch, so we continued to work on Wells Fargo and a slew of of other brands in the digital, social and mobile spaces.
MEplusYOU
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
I came back! Working with the team to push creative excellence.
Slingshot
COPYWRITER
Worked on a series of different clients to produce social, digital, TV, OOH, and print for some of the clients you see below.
MEplusYOU (formerly imc2)
COPYWRITER
Cut my teeth at one of the largest agencies in Dallas with a heavy emphasis on digital, social, and mobile, along with pitch work and a whole lot of cross team collaboration.
Imaginuity Interactive
INTERN
Need blogs? Ideas? SEO help? I got it.
Studio Movie Grill
MARKETING ASSITANT
Worked in the SMG marketing department as the only social media expert. Started and grew social accounts for this national theater chain. Plus, their chicken nachos were delish.
SMU Daily Campus
COLUMNIST
I wrote an editorial column where I poked fun at my life as a SMU outsider and cracked-wise on my personal life and family. In an elevator ride to pick up my $70 monthly paycheck, the head of the journalism department said, “Are you the Matt that writes editorials?” to which I responded a sheepish, “yes”. He then asked, “Does your wife know what you write about her?” All I could do was tell the truth - “Yes, she edits the stories for me”. He shook his head as the doors opened.
Education:
Southern Methodist University
Master’s Degree // Creative Advertising
Southern Methodist University
Bachelor’s Degree // Advertising & TV/Film
Contact
972.742.9142
MatthewVillanueva@gmail.com
some of the Brands I’ve worked with
