O’Neill brings award-winning and impact-driven ideas to the agency.
CHICAGO (November 8, 2023) – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) agency Golin announced today the appointment of award-winning creative Anthony O’Neill to executive creative director (ECD) in its Chicago headquarters. O’Neill officially started last month and reports to Ron D’Innocenzo, chief creative officer, North America, Golin. Together, the two will lead a world class team of creative directors, content experts, culture makers and designers to deliver change-making ideas for some of the agency’s most iconic brands.
O’Neill joins the agency from Goodby Silverstien and Partners, where he most recently served as creative director leading an array of impact-driving creative that inspired action across complex omni-channel environments. In his new role as ECD at Golin, O’Neill leads his diverse creative squad to oversee culture-driving work and initiatives for high-profile clients including Allstate, Dyson, Grubhub, McDonald’s and Walmart. As part of his role, O’Neill joins Golin’s global creative leadership bench working into global chief creative officer, George Bryant, to strategically drive the agency’s most important global creative needs.
“It’s the golden era of earned-first creative,” said O’Neill. “Nothing is given and everything must be earned when it comes to connecting with humans in today’s fast-paced and frenetic world. I’m excited to lead a group of brilliant minds and build an ambitious team to create work for the next chapter at Golin – with brave ideas that inspire action. Come join the squad!”
O’Neill’s impressive 15-year background includes delivering ground-breaking creative and business-building results for brand leaders such as BMW, Capri Sun, Courageous Conversations Global Foundation (CCGF), Jack Daniels, Michelob Ultra, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, The Golden State Warriors and Xfinity. From social media and digital platforms to film and TV – including the Super Bowl and ESPN – O’Neill’s brilliant work has captured the attention and inspired change with audiences worldwide.
Prior to joining Golin, O’Neill had an impressive 13-year creative run with his partner, Rony Castor, working for several renowned creative agencies, including DDB, FCB, Commonground MSG (now known as Ten35), Havas and Burrell Communications. Over the years, O’Neill has received numerous awards, including AdWeek’s Creative 100, Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 and Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas finalist. Just last year, he was honored as the ADCOLOR One Club Creative Honoree.
“Anthony brings brilliant ideas that shake up the status quo, and he knows how to earn the trust of clients to bring those ideas to the world,” said D’Innocenzo. “He instantly bolsters the creative leadership team with experience across sports and entertainment while also bringing a diverse consciousness to the mix that leads to ground-breaking outcomes. It was important for us to identify an inspired leader who could shape campaigns that reflect the communities we serve, while also molding the next generation of talent.”
O’Neill believes that his duty, responsibility and obligation is to lead work that saves lives and creates real change. As part of his for-good led creative, he has championed campaigns for CCGF over the last five years that include award-winning campaign, “NOT A GUN,” and the recent “Driving While Black” (DWBauto.com) work in partnership with Goodby Silverstein and Partners right before he joined Golin. “Driving While Black” challenged audiences to think about what it’s truly like to be Black and launched a first-of-its-kind car where the vehicle itself was the safety feature.
“I’m a huge fan of Anthony, and I believe his strong vision and conviction, creative energy and inspired leadership style are unmatched – and are also contagious,” said Ginger Porter, central region president, Golin. “In his short time here, he is already inspiring more creative bravery and break-the-mold thinking with our clients and teams.”