Karin Onsager-Birch

Karin Onsager-Birch

Chief Creative Officer at FCB West, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States

About me

I love brands, storytelling, style, and collaboration in any combination.
I believe in creating a culture of transparency and partnership, where clients, agency teams and their partners come together to make something much bigger than themselves.
I help galvanize teams to make work that moves you to laugh, cry or change your behavior in some form.

Karin started her career at Goodby Silverstein and Partners in San Francisco California working on clients like NikeWomen, Adobe, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Nintendo, HaagenDazs and Kayak.com.
In 2012 she headed to London to lead the creative on Ford’s 500 million European advertising account for Ogilvy’s Blue Hive. During her time there she lead the agency to and create the 2 most successful and socially shared campaigns for her client in a decade, winning the global Gold Effie for the European Mustang launch, and multiple awards in digital and mobile innovation.
Since returning to San Francisco in 2015, as CCO for FCBWest the agency has enjoyed tremendous growth, winning the global Clorox account and creating one of the top 10 commercials watched on Youtube in 2017 for their client Levis.

Karin’s work has been honored by the Cannes Lions, The Clios, Facebook Creative Studios, The New York Art Director Show, The Effies and the Library of Congress. She has been a speaker at the California Berkeley Haas School of Business program for Entrepreneurship and innovation and a judge for the Cannes Lions, Clios and NYADC.

Positions

Chief Creative Officer
San Francisco, United States
2015 - Present (9 years 10 months)
Clients: Levis Global, CLOROX Global brands, Hotwire, Ghirardelli, Smokey the Bear and more.

In Spring of 2016 the creative effort that won the CLOROX US and Global brands for the FCB Network.

Cannes Lions 2016 Jury member - Promo and Activations.

Clios 2016 Jury member - Print, OOH and Craft.

Speaker at UC Berkeley’s Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The Haas School of Business.
Chief Creative Officer
GTB
London, United Kingdom
May 2012 - May 2015 (3 years)
Blue Hive (Newly named GTB - a division of WPP)

Chief Creative Officer (May 2014 – May 2015)
Launched the Mustang in Europe with socially record setting campaign on the UEFA final.
Founded a Blue Hive office in Paris to serve the French market specifically.
Beat the German automakers on their own turf at the German Automotive Marketing Awards, with a bespoke campaign for the German market.
Lead advertising efforts across the region that helped exceed Ford’s own goal to beat Toyota becoming the no 2 automaker in Europe.
Jurymember at the Lions Eurobest Awards for Best Integrated Campaigns and for Direct and Promo and Activation.
Selected as the first creative executive to join WPP’s Women’s Leadership Group.

Executive Creative Director (May 2012 – May 2014)
Overseeing all of Ford’s advertising across the WPP network in Europe.
Responsible for elevating the level of creative work and re-inspiring clients and agency teams in order to face the toughest market and economic challenges in the last 50 years. Created most socially shared campaign in Ford of Europe’s history, by 3x, within first 3 months on the job. Considered by clients as most successful product launch in recent history. Built on the momentum by revamping brand strategy, developing a new briefing process and breaking down legacy barriers—resulting in a new brand campaign, consistent brand device and tone across diverse geographies, cultures and 17 markets. Exceeding objectives for increased views, digital engagement and brand consideration by 250%. Currently building 2 bespoke agencies in Europe’s largest markets, while preparing 3 new product launches across all markets and medias.
Creative Director
San Francisco, United States
2001 - 2012 (11 years)
Creative Director (Aug 2001 – 2012)
Chevrolet creative leadership team. Created launch TV campaign for the Cruze, GM's most successful car launch in history. Created GM's Carbon Offset campaign, TV, print and interactive that improved positive consumer perception of GM's environmental policies from 27%-72%. Effie winner.
Developed social media campaign for Cruze Eco.

Ran pitch and won Kayak.com. As CD created the brand voice and personality for meta search engine in online travel space. Developed logo and brand device, re-designed UI of website, created interactive, digital DM, digital OOH and 3 rounds of TV for Kayak.com. National awareness tripled in less than a year. 



CD running Hewlett Packard Enterprise Global account. Created global campaign with team of 4 creatives at GSP, lead and reviewed creative from Omnicom partner offices around the world. Global Interactive, DM, print and OOH. Created training program for partner agencies and lectured internationally on how to adapt campaigns to local markets. See less

Associate Creative Director (2004 – 2009)
Created launch campaign for Nintendo WiiFit with award winning TV and ambient OOH campaign. Product sold out in 3 days.One Show and Gold Effie winner.
Created brand print and OOH for Hyundai, created and directed retail holiday campaign. Kelly finalist and Effie winner.
Ran Dreyer's Ice Cream account and re-launched Haagen-Dazs with award winning TV campaign
Art Director
San Francisco, United States
1994 - 1998 (4 years)
Award-winning campaigns for Nike Girls Basketball, Norwegian Cruise Lines, HP and Beaulieu Vineyards.
Lead creative team on Isuzu trucks and SUV’s.
Part of pitch team winning Porsche, HP, Nike Women’s and Sutter Home.

Education

BFA in Graphic Design and Advertising

1989 - 1991 (2 years)

Foundation - Graphic Design and Advertising

1987 - 1989 (2 years)

Baccalaureat

1985 - 1987 (2 years)

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