ABOUT ALLEN & CO.

Company means two things: 

1)     an association of persons for carrying on a commercial enterprise. A band of like-minded entrepreneurs.

2)     a guest or guests. Friends who stop by and you like to hang out with.  

We love both meanings. It’s great to work with smart people on interesting, challenging projects.

And we love having company to hang out with. As Sebastian Maniscalco said, “Put the lights on. Somebody’s here. We got company!”

Company is the best. And Allen & Co. is the best of both—a group of people who excel at their craft and are a lot of fun to hang with.

Allen & Co. grew organically out of my freelance career. Multiple clients have brought me on and then asked me to provide additional services such as UX or media planning. Thanks to my tenure and experience in the business, I have access to some of the best and brightest minds across all disciplines. So I can tap into my Rolodex and build customized teams tailored exactly to what each client needs.

Our capabilities include: 
Brand strategy (brand architecture, purpose, mission, & values)
Strategy
Creative direction
Copywriting (Brand tone and voice, tagline)
Design (Brand look and feel, including logo, fonts, color palette, icons, style guide)
Website Copy
Social Posts 
Video Concepting and Production 
Media Comms Planning
Internal Communications
UX
Intranet build 

ABOUT ALLEN

For over two decades, I have helped companies boost sales, improve brand perception, launch new products, set a brand voice and start social movements. I've done it for clients ranging from Range Rover to American Express to Velveeta. Let’s do it for you. 

Even though my URL is allenrichardson.tv, don’t let that fool you. I’ve done a lot more than
just TV. I’ve developed apps, created interactive travel products, launched websites, worked on new product development, and done some TV spots and print ads along the way.

I work highbrow to low end, having sold everything from $70,000 Range Rovers to $7
pleather shoes.

EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR/WRITER
August 2017-present
I’m lucky enough to work for some of the best agencies and brands across the country. I’ve helped agencies both on new business and existing accounts that need fresh eyes. I have also worked directly for clients through their internal marketing departments and CMOs.

WHAT I DO
Pretty much anything requiring words, from small banner ads to full brand identity. That includes brand voice, naming, new business, TV, print, digital, social campaigns, radio, packaging copy, and websites. As they say, no job too large or too small. 

WHO I’VE DONE IT FOR
A partial list includes Vail Resorts, McGarry Bowen/Dentsu, Netflix, Doner LA, Humana, Zimmerman, Lucid, American Express, Heat NY, BBDO Atlanta, Suerte Tequila, Energy BBDO, Papa’s Pilar Rum, Barkley, Nissan, VML, VOYA Financial

CRISPIN PORTER + BOGUSKY (Boulder, CO)
VP/Creative Director March 2007-July 2016
American Express, Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Fruit of the Loom, Velveeta Shells & Cheese, Applebee’s, Burger King, Aspen Dental, Old Navy
When he saw my book, Alex Bogusky strongly advised me to switch to writer, as in “I’d hire him as a writer, not an art director.” So I got hired as a newbie writer and rose to VP/Creative Director. In my time at CP+B, I did everything from launching a shopping day for small business to helping introduce a new premium bourbon. In my 9.5 years there (66 in dog years), I rose from writer to VP/CD and became one of the longest-tenured creative people ever at the agency.

BARKLEY (Kansas City, MO)
VP/Group Creative Director 2000-2007
Payless ShoeSource, Missouri Lottery, Blue Bunny Ice Cream, CITGO, Build A Bear Workshop
Recruited by CCO Brian Brooker, of GSD&M fame, to help revitalize the creative department. While there, I helped Barkley get their first recognition at Cannes, with a viral campaign for Z Brand Jeans that made the 2006 Interactive Short List. And Barkley helped me learn about world-class barbeque. A lopsided trade for sure.
 

GRACE & ROTHSCHILD ADVERTISING (New York, NY)
Art Director/Associate Creative Director 1991-2000
Land Rover/Range Rover, Mobil 1 Motor Oil, J&B Scotch, Salomon Bros., The One Club
At the beginning of my career, I was lucky enough to work for Hall of Famers Roy Grace and Diane Rothschild. I became the first art director in the agency’s history promoted to ACD. I learned about visual thinking from Roy and writing from Diane, which paid off later. One of the cool things about Roy and Diane was that when they quoted Bill Bernbach, it was because they were in the room with him.

HONORS
Over my career, I’ve been recognized at just about every major award show. In 2012, Creativity Magazine listed me as one of the Top 10 most awarded creative directors in the world. Highlights: 10 Cannes Lions and 2 Grand Prix, D&AD Yellow Pencil, several One Show pencils, multiple CA appearances, five-time Kelly Award finalist. First ever Facebook Blue award. The NY Festivals Best Idea in the World. I also got the first-ever Cannes recognition for two clients, Fruit of the Loom (bronze) and Aspen Dental (shortlist). My right brain would like to point out that I’ve also won EFFIEs for several clients.

EDUCATION
Maryland Institute, College of Art (Baltimore, MD)
Bachelor of Fine Art
 

AFFILIATIONS
For four years, I was an adjunct faculty at the University of Colorado’s advertising program.

I am proud to sit on the board of the nonprofit Autism Society of Boulder County.

CONTACT
write: allen@allenrichardson.com   chat: 720.218.3622