Hi, I’m Sam
I know what you’re thinking, “Why does a Project Manager have a creative portfolio?”, and to that I say yes.
I’ve been managing creative projects in both a PM and production standpoint for over 5 years, but over that time I have been building creative skills bit by bit, and now I would love to apply them to my career. On the side, I have also kept my brain entertained by doing some sketch writing as well as improv.
You’ll find a taste of what I have worked on in the past, mostly spec work, some of it made it to decks, but its all just a peek into how my brain works.
If something you see piques your interest, lets have a conversation, low stakes, zoom link on me.
Ideas
Lots of these ideas have come to me while sitting with creatives while trying to hash out that last little beat, one more territory, or just a dumb button.
So here are some concepts, loose scripts, territory ideas that I have put together over time and think are interesting, if not at least a little funny.
This Bounty idea came to me while working on some sustainability and reusability work for the brand. I was walking down the street and saw someone wearing a t-shirt of this iconic album and it clicked. Prince, rinse… and my brain was off.
I love the edginess of the album cover juxtaposed with the monotony of kitchen spills, and the headline tells you everything else. Simple and to the point.
It would have been great to do a whole series of iconic album covers with Bounty imagery, but who knows how many years of legal review that might take.
PSA
Do you taste your teeth in the afternoon and think they have goosebumps?
Does your smile shrink by the hour as your teeth fuzz gains ground?
Are you currently running your tongue on your teeth and thinking, “Ya, thats me”?
Reality Checkup! That’s cavity-causing bacteria. Crest Pro Health stops bacteria for up to 24 hrs, while other toothpastes leave your mouth exposed to plaque attack in minutes.
So when that mid-day mouth-moment comes along next, have a smooth smile, with Crest Pro Health Toothpaste.
VO: Crest, #1 toothpaste brand in America.
SFX: Sonic branding closing.
Hall of Meals
The Hall of Great Meals! Looking back, there’s the birthday cake from ‘08, fudge for days. Rib throwdown of New Years ‘15, still burping mesquite. And who could forget Quarantine Casserole, illegal in most states by now.
The memories remain, but so do the teeth stains, luckily Crest White Strips can roll back the years, beating stains where brushing can't.
So come back to the brighter side of your smile, with Crest White Strips.
I had the pleasure to work on Crest for a bit and threw in some ideas for some radio work they had going on. I know, I know, radio isn’t the sexiest medium anymore, but these were fun to write, and the challenge of playing with just audio was a fun exercise.
Afternoon commute- This script was built for a larger campaign (possibly still running), using a dentist character called Dr Garcia, who shows up in everyday situations. It’s silly, but fun.
DJ: Hey there caller, you’re on Grime Time Radio with Tartar and the Fuzzzz, what’s your question?
Dr G: Hi, could I ask you to run your tongue along your teeth?
DJ: Mhmmm? (makes confused mumble sound) Wait, Dr Garcia?!?
Dr G: You feel that buildup? That’s bacteria that can cause a cavity in just months.
SFX: Soundboard GU GU GRIME TIME!
DJ: That’s poor mouth mojo, Doc, set me straight!
Dr G: Crest Pro Health protects from cavity-causing bacteria for up to 24 hrs, while others leave your mouth in the prime-grime zone in minutes.
SFX Soundboard PU PU PRIME GRIME! (GU GU GROSS!)
DJ: You heard it here listeners, you taste plaque, Crest has your back.
VO: Crest, #1 toothpaste brand in America.
SFX: Sonic branding closing.
In anticipation of the latest restroom revolution, their version of the bidet, Charmin is partnering with the ever-glamorous and talented Sade to promote their latest water closet contribution, the Chardet.
In order to make this sweetest taboo in the US land best, Charmin and Sade could do a soulful music video promoting the product and showing people that this smooth ploperator is here to help you enjoy the go on your throne of choice.
Keep Your Cool
I thought that the culture around YETI seemed to be so devotive, that why not push it to extremes?
In this case, our heroes here have been stranded on a deserted island and have to make some (not so) hard choices.
A Must for the Memories
Everyone knows the famous Grey Poupon ads from the 90s in the car, it’s been done, it was fun, but what are we left with?
There is this fancy aura around the brand that cant be escaped, you just see it and you are immediately in a fancier place. You hold your pinky out. Your finishing school lessons click in… or not.
I think there is a great opportunity to make use of the reaction that naturally comes out of people whenever someone presents Grey Poupon, its a guttural “ohhh”, you know it, you might do it yourself, and it always cuts through the conversation.
It can happen anywhere, in a group you wouldn’t expect, drinks with stuffy co-workers, watching the game at a friend’s house, grandparents at a retirement home, etc.
Once the mustard is dropped onto the table, the reactions get more heightened, someone really leans into the “ohhh”, the next person all of the sudden has a 3 piece suit on and the 3rd is wearing a monocle and really giving it his all.
I think this idea could work in so many ways, not just at the table.
American Express is a massive brand known globally, but when about the small things they have done over the years? Namely, Small Business Saturday, which they founded 15 years ago.
To mark this anniversary, they wanted to take a unique approach, so I thought, why not take a look through the eyes of the things that know small business owners the best, their products?
In a fresh take at the testimonial, the cheeky yet warm POV from these inanimate objects, speaking to us through a VO, guides us through the ways small business owners in their lives make big differences in their communities.
We hear their story while seeing shots of the owners working late, making small personal tweaks around the store, helping customers, and ultimately making the sale, all with a smile on their face.
And of course you can’t leave Amex out, we bring that personal touch through by showing close up shots on customers tapping their AmEx cards during the purchase, and then cutting to a handshake or a handoff of the product with a smile, driving that brand attribution.
