Creative Director, Brand Strategist

Professional Summary

Joseph M. Powell is an award-winning creative professional with 25+ years of experience transforming brands and delivering measurable growth through innovative, results-driven strategies and creative direction. Skilled in crafting cohesive brand identities, designing integrated marketing campaigns, and creating impactful omnichannel experiences across digital, print, and social platforms. A visionary leader with expertise in brand development, content strategy, and visual storytelling, with a proven track record of managing cross-functional teams, leading successful campaigns, and elevating brand awareness in startup, corporate, nonprofit, e-commerce, and healthcare settings. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, utilizing data-driven insights and trends, such as AI-driven design, marketing, and sustainability, to achieve meaningful results. Driven by a passion for creative excellence and strategic vision, thrives in fast-paced environments, providing innovative solutions that inspire, engage, and drive ROI.

“Simple designs often require complex decisions”

Experience


Joseph M. Powell | June 2024-Current
Palm Springs, California (accepting remote contract work)
Marketing & Advertising • Nonprofit/Humanitarian • Travel & Tourism • Performing Arts • Healthcare: Lead end-to-end brand systems, publication design, and integrated campaigns for corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector clients with emphasis on stakeholder alignment, humanitarian communications, destination (tourism) marketing, and fundraising storytelling.

Creative Director, Brand Strategist

CONSULTANT April 2021 - Present
CDAC Network Expert Pool, UK (Contract Remote)

Private Label Productions | August 2021-May 2024
Naples, Florida (Contract Remote)
Manufacturing • Private-Label Cosmetics & Wellness • B2B & B2C: Built the brand and marketing foundation for a high-growth private-label manufacturer serving B2B & B2C clients in cosmetics & wellness, owning brand architecture, identity systems, product/packaging, websites, sales enablement, content strategy, and trade shows. The work contributed to a 5% increase in market share and a 30% growth in revenue. MORE INFO

Vice President, Marketing Communications

Pjur Group | Jan 2001 – Aug 2019
Luxembourg & Miami (Contract Remote)
Health & Wellness • Personal Care CPG • Sexual Wellness • E-commerce • Events & Retail: Spearheaded the marketing & graphics function for a global CPG brand, overseeing brand architecture, collateral, websites/e-commerce, sales enablement, and event marketing. Defined the annual plan and managed a six-figure budget; partnered with Sales, Product, and Retail to drive growth across B2B and B2C channels. MORE INFO

Senior Marketing Manager

Focus:Impact! | Jan 2000 – Jan 2001
Chicago, IL (Full Time)
Professional Services • Corporate Communications • Consulting • Software/Technology Start-up: Software tech start-up role; Brought on board to develop a corporate identity, led teams to create corporate standards, marketing collateral, and internet and intranet capabilities. Participated as a key player in focusing on a vision, communicating a mission, and developing initiatives to plan strategies.

Communications Director

What-A-Concept | Jan 1997- Dec 1999
Miami, FL (Full Time)
Marketing & Advertising • Healthcare • Financial • Consumer: Agency lead for campaign creative, brand systems, and production oversight across healthcare, financial, and consumer accounts. Created corporate identities and advertising campaigns for Doral Hospital and Deering Hospital. Aided in the design development of Ray-Ban's South American fall campaign and standardized corporate promotions for PineBank.

Creative Director

Art Director

Duke University Medical Center & Health System | Jan 1994 - Dec 1996
Durham, NC (Full Time)
Healthcare • Academic Medical Center • Publishing: Led healthcare communications and publication design for clinical, academic, and administrative units, such as brochures, research reports, alumni magazines, patient education, and service-line campaigns, coordinating clinicians, administrators, and schools of medicine/nursing for message accuracy, compliance, and on-time delivery.

Graphics Manager

Jan 1994 - Dec 1996
Crain Communications | New York, NY (Full Time)
Publishing & Media • B2B Information Services: Founded and led the informational graphics department, an internal studio delivering editorial design, infographics, ad/DM campaigns, and sales enablement across a 5-title portfolio (Crain’s New York Business, Advertising Age, Creativity, Pensions & Investments, City & State) for the 75-year-old publisher. Special projects included annual ads in the MTV Awards magazine.

Graphic Artist

Lincoln National Corporation | Jan 1987 - Jun 1989
Fort Wayne, IN (Contract)
Insurance & Financial Services • Corporate Communications: As a Contract Artist, I played a pivotal role in supporting Corporate Communications for the nation’s 7th-largest multi-line insurer and six subsidiaries. My contributions included delivering internal/external communications across print and direct channels, owning art direction, design/production, copy editing, and employee desktop publishing (DTP) training.

Education


Western Carolina University | Graduated May 1987
Cullowhee, NC (four years)
Bachelor of Fine Arts
(B.F.A.) in Graphic Design

Current projects:

FRANCIS MICHAEL Skincare is dedicated to creating a positive impact on your skin, your self-perception, and, consequently, your life. Our vision is to bring clean, sustainable, and cruelty-free skincare to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or skin tone.

  • Brand creation, graphic design, product development, and marketing strategy: Brand Guide

HIS GOOD STUFF provides thoughtfully designed activewear and accessories, combining individuality, comfort, and fit with style, quality, and sustainability. Striving to create a world where everyone feels comfortable, confident, and inspired by their clothing and accessories, uplifting their body and spirit.

  • Brand creation, graphic design, product development, and marketing strategy: Brand Guide

CASTLE MEGASTORE GROUP, Inc., founded in 1987 and expanded to 16 stores across five states, needed a modern identity that matched its evolving brand. I led a full rebrand, creating a new logo and a comprehensive brand guide. I continue to support CMG’s efforts to extend the system across retail environments, in-store signage, and the website to ensure consistent, on-brand experiences at every touchpoint.

Get in touch.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.