I grew up on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Since then, my adventures in advertising have taken me all kinds of interesting places at agencies in Chicago, Los Angeles, Chicago again, and then back to that island, aaand then away—to Seattle, where I’m currently the Executive Creative Director at Copacino Fujikado.

Over my 20 years in the business, I’ve worked on everything from print to digital, documentaries to VR. I’ve directed films, designed UX, and developed brand strategies. One time, I won an agency meatball eating contest.

I’ve had multi-million-dollar budgets and microscopic ones. My client portfolio includes everything from diapers to beer, international tourism and hospitality to local gas stations and lawn care services.

I’m a firm believer in being an insight driven creator, first and foremost. And that the best way to get to great work is by working prolifically and quickly. And that In-N-Out Burger is THE best burger in the world.

I’ve enjoyed some nice acclaim, from being responsible for the first Hawaiian agency work ever featured on Creativity & Communication Arts to being named one of Honolulu’s TOP 40 UNDER 40 business people.

Wherever my next adventure takes me, I believe my best work is yet to come.

Experience

 

Executive Creative Director / Copacino Fujikado
Seattle, WA / 2019 - Current
Visit Seattle, Premera Blue Cross, Sound Transit, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Consumer Cellular, Intrinsic Wine, Alaska Communications, KEXP, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle Center, Goodwill, Downtown Seattle Association, OL Reign, Seattle Reproductive Medicine, PAR Hawaii, SCCA Proton Therapy


Executive Creative Director / MVNP - DDB Associate
Honolulu, HI / 2013 - 2019
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Hawaii Tourism Authority, First Hawaiian Bank, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Kona Brewing Co., 76, Hele, Nom Nom, Target, McDonalds, Consolidated Theaters, The Laylow: Autograph Collection, Hilton, Wailea Beach Resort, Our Kakaako, Ward Village, Howard Hughes, Child and Family Service, International Market Place, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii State Energy Office

Creative Director / Ogilvy & Mather
Chicago, IL / 2011-2013
Huggies, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, The Ernest Hemingway Foundation, KISS FM, Emporium Arcade Bar, Chicago Blackhawks, Pledge

Art Director / M&C Saatchi
Santa Monica, CA / 2010-2011
San Diego Zoo, Crystal Cruises, Epson, New Mexico Tourism Department, Getty Center, Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau, Trafalgar Tours, California Department of Public Health

Book Illustrator
Everything Is Better With A Gorilla / 2009-2010

Senior Art Director / Ignited
El Segundo, CA / 2008-2010
Sony VAIO, Princess Cruises, EA Mobile, Cartoon Network, Agility Logistics

Advertising Instructor / Chicago Portfolio School
Chicago, IL / 2006-2007

Art Director / Cramer-Krasselt
Chicago, IL / 2004-2007
AirTran Airways, Heinz, Corona, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Cellular South, Effen Vodka, Zantac, Champion Tae Kwon Do School, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Place, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Weight Watchers Smart Ones, Coleman Natural Foods, Bucktown Fitness Club, TV Guide, John Mullaly DDS, DEX

Freelance Art Director / Ungar Group
Chicago, IL / 2004
Chicago Sinfonietta

Graphic Designer / The Brochure Factory
Chicago, IL / 2004
Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, Mobil Travel Guide

Graphic Designer & Intern / MVNP - DDB Associate
Honolulu, HI / 2003
Aloha Airlines, McDonald’s, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Ala Moana Shopping Center

Awards & Recognition

 

+ One Show
+ Effie
+ Addy
+ Clio
+ Shorty
+ Communication Arts: Advertising
+ Communication Arts: Interactive
+ Communication Arts: Photography
+ Archive
+ Graphis
+ SXSWi
+ FWA
+ Webby
+ Web Marketing Association
+ FITC
+ Davey
+ Ads of the World


+ Webawards
+ New York Festivals Innovative Advertising Awards Show
+ Vimeo Staff Pick
+ National Geographic Short Film Showcase
+ Creativity
+ AdWeek
+ AdAge
+ Adrian
+ Sabre
+ Mercury
+ Pele
+ 40 Under 40
+ Telly
+ AIGA Hawaii-50
+ Travel Video Awards
+ Chicago Creative Club
+ Healthcare AdAwards

What People Are Saying

 

“Vince is one of the best creative director's I've worked with. I worked with Vince on two campaigns for the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, a total of 17 videos, seven of which were TV commercials. As a director, I valued Vince's leadership on concepts and execution, his collaborative spirit, and his openness to new and ideas and creative risks. He finds a way to create and foster chemistry among team members and works tirelessly to perfect the work at hand. I look forward to working with Vince again!”

— Bradley Tangonan, Film Director

“As the ECD for my account, Vince was challenged with making a 160+ year old brand (that was known as Hawaii's "Oldest and Largest Bank") feel fresh and innovative while keeping true to our company's culture and long history.

Strategic insights into our business based on data, Vince captured our vision with outstanding big ideas that drove creative, which as the client made it easy to sell internally, where the ideas where insightful (and award winning), and the results were meaningful and measurable.

Big ideas are great, but every message and contact with customers is important, and Vince sweats the small stuff. He made sure every message was a representation of our brand. 10/10. Would do again...”

— Chris Dods, Vice Chairman and COO at First Hawaiian Bank

“Vince is one of my favorite creative partners: smart, funny, goes deep, cares about the work, strategic but sweats the details, is great with clients, and is a strong leader. We worked together for nearly two years and Vince had a positive impact on every piece of business (and project) that he touched. Also, everyone loves him - clients, creatives, even us account folks! I hope we someday get to work together again - I couldn't recommend him more highly.”

— John Line, Group Brand Director at The Many

Featured

 

+ Agency Spy
+ Hawaii Business
+ Pacific Business News

+ The Los Angeles Egotist
+ Mediakix
+ Digital Cinema Report

Education

 

Chicago Portfolio School 
2003-2004 / Art Direction

University of Washington
1999-2000 / Marketing

University of Hawaii
1998-2003 / Marketing