About Sean Leonard
Sandwich Artist > Graphic Designer > Art Director > Creative Director
My strength lies in conceptual thinking with strategic purpose and polished execution. I constantly collaborate with creative teams, production partners, photographers, writers, and designers to bring unforgettable work to life – work that's as visually captivating as it is strategically effective. I'm comfortable playing any role needed, from guiding accounts as a creative lead to building and motivating teams, presenting and selling work with confidence, or designing a digital banner ad.
My goal is simple: to keep standards high and egos low.
Experience
T3 (now Material)
Creative Director
2014 - Present: Sr. AD - ACD - Creative Director
Clients: 7-Eleven, Capital One, Chipotle, Chuck E. Cheese, Church’s Chicken, Hilton Hotels, Kraft Heinz, M.I.T., Nike, Reliant Energy, Slurpee, US Tennis Association, Wonder Project
Forrester Wave’s Top Innovation Agencies, 2014
nFusion (now Springbox)
Senior Art Director
2012 - 2014
Clients: Austin Tourism, Bacardi, laMadeleine Bakery, Samsung, Sandisk
AdAge’s Small Agencies of the Year, 2014
Tribal DDB
Interactive Art Director
2009 - 2012
Clients: 7-Eleven, American Heart Association, Amp Energy, Bud Light, MTN DEW, Pepsi, T-Mobile, Tabasco, Texas Lottery
AdAge Agency A-List, 2009
Publicis
Art Director Intern
2007 - 2009
Clients: BC Powder, Beano, Denny's, Hornitos Tequila, Juicy Juice, Powerbar
Education
University of North Texas
B.F.A. in Communication Design - Art Direction
Minor - Advertising Copywriting
Graduated with Top Art Direction Portfolio
Want to know how I work?
Let my peers tell you.
Sean Leonard is that rare kind of Creative Director who skillfully blends bold, conceptual thinking with people-first leadership. I’ve never worked with someone so committed to always giving their absolute best; going above and beyond is his default mode. He’s talented to no end and always looks for the hidden potential in a brief. On Chuck E. Cheese, his resourcefulness resulted in national award-winning work, including a shoestring-budget campaign that generated unprecedented web traffic for the brand. As a leader, Sean is unflappable under the toughest pressure and tightest budgets/timelines. Even better, he is as kind and humble as he is driven. He builds trusted relationships with clients, invests deeply in the growth of his team, and brings zero ego to the table—just an incredible work ethic and an endless drive to elevate the work. I’d jump at the chance to work with him again.
— Allison Burzlaff, ACD Copywriter
“Sean is one of the most gifted creative leaders I've had the privilege to work alongside. He has a rare ability to uncover fresh, purposeful ideas, shape them into exceptional work, and bring others along on the way. His enthusiasm for the creative process is contagious. I’ve seen firsthand how he generates an environment where teams do their best thinking and create better work, faster. If you have the opportunity to work with Sean, take it. You’ll be better, instantly. I promise.”
— Scott McAfee, Creative Director
“Sean is a Super Bowl caliber quarterback of a creative director. He led his team through an extremely fast-paced, high volume year, creating over 400+ individual creative executions over 16 different paid campaigns, including 2 large scale shoots. His rapport with the clients was second to none. They genuinely trusted him and respected his opinion and vision. His patience, calm demeanor and eye for solutions and problem solving were also pivotal to success with a very challenging client.”
— Ailien Wagar, Account Director
“Working with Sean unlocks a creative confidence you didn't know you had. Kick off any creative and, with him at the wheel, the finish will be electric. QSRs, B2Bs, or major health providers, it doesn't matter who. Sean is in his element delivering something altogether unexpected, at speeds usually reserved for the Circuit of The Americas. Catch him if you can.”
— Taylor Foran, Sr. Copywriter
“Sean is healthy balance of creative/client-centric. He knows how to nudge clients in ways they're comfortable with that result in advancing the standards of their brand. And he’s a source of calm. I've yet to see Sean in a heightened state. He approaches challenges rationally and holistically, which allows him to focus on the root of the problem instead of the symptoms.”
— Matt Clayman, Strategy Director
“The most prominent—and admirable—quality about Sean is his drive. He’s relentless in his pursuit of the big idea. He won’t settle for anything less than campaigns that are authentic, clever and moving. He’s always asking how things can be better—and finds the ways to improve and build upon them.”
— Tracy Clayton, ACD Copywriter
“If you are looking for a creative director who can seamlessly bridge the gap between boundary-pushing creative and major business results, Sean is your guy. He has a talent for pushing teams to do great work and persuading clients to take the big creative leaps that truly pay off.”
— Nicole Sagullo, Account Manager
“When it comes to big thinking, Sean has it in spades. He never seemed to hit a wall despite the many, many rounds of campaign concepting we had to do. He makes the ideas shine in presentation form as well, not only through beautiful deck design but in his delivery during client reviews. He is always poised and prepared.”
— Jen Smith, Group Creative Director
“Sean has no ‘off’ button and drives the overall team and clients to embrace greater exploration and to create compelling work at concept, design and content levels.”
— Jay Suhr, Chief Creative Officer