https://serenaconnelly.com/
serenaconnelly@gmail.com
773 255 2721
New York, NY 10001
LinkedIn
CREATIVE DIRECTION : IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING : VR / AR / XR
EXPERIENTIAL : PITCHES : BRAND NARRATIVES : SOCIAL CAMPAIGNS
Hello, I’m a NYC-based Creative Director / Writer / Experiential Human.
One of my favorite pastimes is feasting on modern art, contemporary culture, and emerging technology. By selectively gathering inspiration, tools, philosophies, and ideas, I’m able to weave them into relevant, compelling narratives—focusing brand storytelling on purpose and positivity.
I’ve been the creative conductor for award-winning immersive projects, live events, and purposeful experiences. As an empathetic mentor, I’m often found coaching large, diverse teams with positivity and positioning clients as leaders in innovation. What I enjoy most is bringing diverse minds together to create, and ideally, helping people, or animals, in the process.
Inventor: 2 US Patents 1 2 | Cannes International Festival of Creativity Lions | Gold Clio Awards | One Show Pencils | Art Directors Club Cubes | Webby Awards | Shorty Awards | Ad Age Award | Jay Chiat Award | Academy of Extended Reality Award VR for Social Good | Inaugural Anthem Awards Gold I The One Show Direct Marketing Jury 2022 I Academy of International Extended Reality AIXR Jury 2022–Present
AWARDS, PATENTS, & PUBLICATIONS
LIPPE TAYLOR EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / Mar 2023 – October 2023
Utilizing a strong understanding of social media platforms, user behavior, strategy, culture, and trends to develop campaigns ranging from scrappy shoestring in-house budgets to well-funded multi-channel campaigns (paid, organic, social, e-commerce, experiences, and events).
EXPERIENCE
ACCENTURE SONG EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / 2019 to Mar 2023
Responsible for several of Accenture’s Mega Deals
Acting as the head creative that landed a $660,000,000 global project with an Insurance Co.
AR / VR / XR Immersive Content and Experiences
Leading the creation of Virtual and XR experiences for exploring racial inequality. Utilizing real-time 3D technology, AR / VR / XR, NLP, 360 spatial sound design, and other linear production.
Immersive exhibits for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Series of virtual events, live tours, and fund-raising experiences for The Apollo Theater.
GINORMOUS CREATIVE DIRECTOR / STRATEGIC BRANDING CONSULTANT / COPYWRITER, 2012 to 2019
Won a turnkey $75 million pitch for America's Biopharmaceutical Companies.
Acquired two intellectual property patents while maintaining originality/novelty of the concepts.
Working brand-side, directing culturally relevant, audience-centered content creation.
MOMENTUM WORLDWIDE VP, GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 2017 to 2018
Served as a creative lead on American Express experiential marketing.
Directed a cross-functional team of twelve direct reports, to deliver innovative technological solutions, large-scale experiences, and advertising campaigns.
Marketed AMEX across B2C and B2B lines while modernizing the brand tone of voice.
Promoted tech-forward and consumer insight-driven culture and sustainability.
RAPP GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 2014 to 2015
Managed RAPP’s most high-profile client, Humana, as the point of contact for all creative endeavors.
Co-led the Creative Department of 50+ individuals, including full-time and freelance Art Directors, Writers, Motion Designers, and Graphic Designers.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Executive Creative Director at Blast Radius | Group Creative Director at LBi US, | Creative Director at Grey Group I Creative Director at StrawberryFrog | Associate Creative Director at R/GA | Senior Copywriter at Leo Burnett
GINORMOUS, INC. FREELANCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR / Jan 2024 - Present
My S-Corp is called Ginormous because it’s just me. I specialize in new business acquisition, branding, ad campaigns, social content creation, screenwriting, and experiential events. I am also a frequent award show Juror, and a member of the Group of Humans, WXO: World Experiential Organization, Neol, and Copywriter’s Collective.
EDUCATION
SKILLS ON SKILLS ON SKILLS
SOFTWARE
University of Colorado Boulder, CO Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2, Wine Steward/Sommelier
Storytelling • Brand Positioning • Brand Strategy • Branding • New Business Development & RFP Responses • Integrated Campaigns • Copywriting • Screenwriting • Video Scripts • Comedy Dialog • Branched Narratives • Experiential Marketing • Virtual and Live Events • Experience Design • Run of Show • Live Action Digital Video • Hands-on post-production • 360 Volumetric Video Capture • Content Design • Adobe Creative Suite • Earned media • Immersive Content Authoring • Virtual and Live Events • 3D Narrative Design • AR • VR • XR • MR • Extended Reality Content Development • Virtual Reality Content Creation • Interactive Innovation • Emerging Technology • Microsoft VR Platform Development • Oculus Development • Unity Development • Metaverse Concept & Design • IP Development
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Keynote, and After Effects for motion design • MS programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) • Working knowledge of 3D software including Cinema 4D and Unity • Proficiency in many AI Platforms: Midjourney, ChatGPT, Pika, Runway, Gemini, Perplexity. Plus experience in volumetric video capture, Web3, and Blockchain