Creative Director (Writer) Passport Brand Design

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong>Who We Are</strong></h3>
<p>VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.</p>
<p><strong>About WPP</strong></p>
<p>WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit <u><a href="http://wpp.com/" data-outlook-id="2714312b-312f-4651-9f88-d8a4e47547bc">WPP.com</a></u>.</p></div><p><strong>Who We Are Looking For</strong></p>
<p>Passport Brand Design, is seeking a visionary Creative Director, Writer to lead brand storytelling and campaign concepting for a major North American client in the nicotine category. Reporting directly to the Executive Creative Director of Passport based in New York City, you will do more than write copy — you will architect the narrative soul of premium brands, translating high-level strategy into sophisticated, engaging, and culturally resonant creative work. While your foundation is rooted in copywriting, you bring a sharp visual sensibility and a deep strategic mindset to the table, allowing you to shape the entire brand experience. We are looking for a creative leader who understands the nuances of regulated categories, thrives in a highly collaborative, cross-office environment, and is driven to create work that leaves a lasting impact on both the brand and its audience.</p>
<p><strong>What You'll Do</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Lead the conceptualization and execution of integrated campaigns, ensuring the brand's voice is sophisticated, consistent, and compelling across all touchpoints</li>
<li>Drive creative excellence and strategic storytelling for a highly visible North American nicotine client, managing campaigns and adapting brand voice across a diverse portfolio of brands within the category</li>
<li>Architect high-level brand narratives and storytelling frameworks specifically tailored to a large client in the nicotine category</li>
<li>Partner closely with Art Directors, Strategists, and Account leadership to transform strategic insights into actionable, award-winning creative solutions</li>
<li>Present creative concepts to senior client stakeholders with conviction, clarity, and a deep understanding of their business objectives</li>
<li>Mentor, guide, and elevate the work of creative team members, fostering an environment of continuous learning and creative excellence</li>
<li>Exercise keen judgment in refining and optimizing copy, ensuring every word serves a distinct purpose in driving the overall brand experience</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Who You Are</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>A strategic, clear, and curious problem-solver who excels at simplifying complex brand challenges into elegant, compelling narratives — seamlessly bridging the gap between copy, visual design, and overarching strategy</li>
<li>An empathetic collaborator who builds deep trust with cross-functional teams and clients, always keeping the human experience and audience perspective at the center of your work</li>
<li>A bold idea-driver who is comfortable navigating ambiguity, challenging the status quo, and championing brave, innovative storytelling that elevates the brand</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What You'll Need</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Extensive professional experience in copywriting and creative direction, ideally with experience navigating regulated categories</li>
<li>A robust portfolio demonstrating exceptional campaign concepting, brand storytelling, mastery of tone and voice, and a highly developed eye for visual execution</li>
<li>Demonstrated experience leading creative teams and guiding projects from initial briefing through to final production</li>
<li>Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to articulate the "why" behind creative choices to both internal teams and external clients</li>
<li>A high degree of adaptability and comfort with digital tools and modern marketing platforms</li>
<li>French language skills are not mandatory but successful candidates must be comfortable presenting and liaising with clients in English</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>⚠️</strong><strong> Please note:</strong> This role involves dedicated work on an account within the nicotine and tobacco category. Candidates must be comfortable and willing to work on these brands.</p>
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<p> </p><div class="content-conclusion"><p>We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.</p>
<p><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-GB">WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.</span></span><span class="scxw176048299"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></span></p>
<p>VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.vml.com/">our website</a>, and follow VML on our social channels via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vml_global/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vmlyr/">LinkedIn</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/vml_global">X</a><u>.</u> </p>
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