Russ Rickey

Russ Rickey

VP Strategy at McCann
Calgary, Canada Area, Canada

About me

I am a digital strategy and design executive.

That could mean a lot of things depending on who you are, but for me it means I am a storyteller, an idea producer, and a leader of strategic and creative teams. At some point in the process a screen is usually involved.

I started thinking and writing about our digital world and created my first web page in the mid-nineties. It wasn’t very good—the web page that is—but I learned a bundle. It also marked my movement from consumer of content to creator, and started a journey that has seen me take on a variety of roles in the digital world. In the last two decades I have been a writer, designer, strategist, and leader.

Select past clients include a wide-range global brands: AT&T, blue shield of california, the Calgary Stampede, Clorox, Coca-Cola, Disney, ESPN, Infiniti, Kraft Foods, MTV, NBCUniversal, Nissan, SAP, and the United Way.

I also have a Ph.D. in the Humanities. My dissertation was on digital communication and performance. I think it gives me a unique perspective on engaging audiences in today's world.

Along the way I have persuaded executive teams that branding is about stories not logos; that digital marketing does not speak to audiences, but with them; that great stories rise above industry clichés; and that creativity without strategy is the quickest way to failure.

And that all clip-art needs to die a quick, horrible death.

Positions

VP Strategy
McCann Canada
Canada
October 2020 - Present (4 years 2 months)
Strategy Director
Calgary, Canada
November 2010 - October 2020 (9 years 11 months)
In consulting with our clients, I employ innovative ideation, actionable research, business acumen and industry experience to lead strategic and creative teams in designing extraordinary digital experiences relentlessly focused on the customer.
Director, Digital Strategy / Group Creative Director
LPi Communications Group
Canada
2007 - 2010 (3 years)
Manager, Creative Services / Creative Director
SMART Technologies
2006 - 2007 (1 year)
Director of Advertising and PR
Vantis International (now TravelCLICK)
2004 - 2006 (2 years)

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

April 2018 - April 2018 (1 second)

Bachelor's Degree

April 2018 - April 2018 (1 second)

Master's Degree

April 2018 - April 2018 (1 second)

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