CREATIVE • CREATOR • SPEAKERAlright alright, switching to first-person for a sec so you can get a sense of who you’d be giggling with on Zoom / Slacking incesentently
MY STORYI’m not your “traditional” CD.
Though what is that even these days? For the best I say!
The beginning of my career was…a journey.
I honed my writing chops in the wonderful world of PR, drafting press releases that imagined unexpected uses for Kleenex and scanning Twitter chatter in search of timely moments my clients could tactfully and tastefully be a part of.
I learned to collaborate with design teams as a project manager at Wilson Sporting Goods working on licensed products lines, finessing my way into a more “full-funnel” scope which included everything from identifying UGC and crafting social copy to co-managing NFL, AVP and NCAA activations.
I ultimately parlayed those experiences into a role on Vox Creative where, as a creative strategist and producer, I crafted concepts that honored the voices of various Vox Media’s properties AND brand partners. (Pen game crazy, I agree).
Later, I built the Americas division of Acast Creative Studios. And yes, Acast is a podcast company, but I build Acast Creative Studios to be much more.
Identifying an opportunity to tap into the ecosystems of the thousands of creators signed to Acast — and be competitive not just with the Spotifys of the world but broader media creative agencies (like Vox Creative) — I built and led a multidisciplinary team of creatives in developing and producing branded content across social, audio and experiential.
Branded YouTube episodes and IG/TikTok that got higher views and engagement than creator’s organic content? We did that.
A Sunglass Hut takeover complete with photo opps, a live show and co-branded swag? See “The Work”.
Now serving as an embedded Creative Director for brands like Fanatics, Nordstrom and William Sonoma Inc. as a part of Meta’s Creative Shop, I get to bring my experience scripting branded editorial, perfecting hooks and owning integrated campaigns to create AI workflows, lead campaigns from insight to post-production and so much more.
MY GUIDING LIGHTI’m just an ideas girl with a wicked pen and a solid eye. I’m constantly inspired by the world around me and nothing fuels my fire like bringing the conversations and community that make life worth living into the work that I do.
As a creative director that’s deeply grounded by culture, I believe that…
Human experiences build connection — for those who don’t have the privilege, tools or time to tell their own story, feeling truly seen by a brand is an unparalleled opportunity for connection
Being on set is a great equalizer, an opportunity to grab the edge control or a pair of scissors to make the work better
Leadership is just as much about sacrificing for your team as it is about advocating for yourself
HOT TAKES Hates an Oxford comma, lives and dies by an em dash (but will follow any and all brand guidelines, I promise).
"SO WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR?"Concept development
Human-centric copy
Creative direction and leadership
Perfect pitches (the RFP-cycle trained me well)
“Shantae has the creative chops to manage productions end to end including anything from creators, to live shoots, to digital production. She has a firm understanding of culture and is able to really identify what works and what doesn't.
She is one of the most optimistic, unflappable people I have met. No matter what the situation, she approaches every hurdle with solutions-focused calm, something that is a rarity in the ad world, and makes every team she's on happier and more efficient. "
Stephen Golub, Manager (Meta, Creative Shop)