About
Dan O’Connor – Creative Director / Writer
630-873-0172
Work Experience
PACO Collective Creative Director
May 2024 - October 2026
Creative lead on BMO, SOLO Cup, BioLife, United Flea Markets, NIPSCO, Peoples Gas. Contribute to new business pitches.
PACO Collective Associate Creative Director / Copywriter
Aug 2016 – May 2024
Started as permalance and moved into a full-time role in 2018.
Co-creative lead on ComEd and NIPSCO.
Creative lead on Pork and Mindy's.
Also work on Amazon, BlueCross and BlueShield, Illinois Lottery (former client), and new business pitches.
Freelance Associate Creative Director/ Copywriter
November 2012 – Present
Agencies: Mullen, Havas, Y&R and Cavalry, Leo Burnett, CommonGround, Edelman, Paco Collective, Grisko, VSA Partners, Chicago Tribune.
Team Detroit – JWT Sr. Copywriter
October 2010 – November 2012
Brand advertising for Ford North America and Global. Copywriter on Focus ST and C-MAX nameplate launches in the US. Responsible for concept, writing and execution of 360° branding campaigns.
Freelance Copywriter
September 2008 – September 2010
Various agencies: Euro RSCG, Tribal DDB, The Escape Pod, Digitas, Publicis Modem, DRT(Dirt), Paco Communications.
Clients: LG, Sears, Altoids, AeroMexico, Optimum Nutrition, Red Cross, OfficeMax.
Energy BBDO Chicago: Freelance Copywriter
August 2007 – August 2008
Clients: Eclipse gum, Chicago White Sox, US NEWS, LaSalle Bank, Wrigley’s brands.
Helped pitch and win the Chicago White Sox account.
Leo Burnett New York
November 2006 – May 2007
Client: Samsung global. Rebranding. Traditional media.
Hanft Raboy & Partners
September 2005 – November 2006
Clients: Match.com (US and International), Fortify Software, Hertz, Tekelec, and Toughlove. Interactive and traditional work.
Education
Miami Ad School
July 2003- June 2005
Portfolio in Copywriting.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
August 1998- May 2002
B.S. Advertising / Communications