whitley is An award-winning, Brooklyn-based, creative director & writer.

I have over thirteen years of experience creating unique voices and executing integrated advertising campaigns for brands of all sizes. I’ve helped an independent agency win 12 new accounts in a single year, created a plug-in to fight unconscious gender bias, turned a low-budget brief into the “Most Inspiring Ad Campaign for Women,” launched the world’s first virtual ugly sweater party, and revitalized an iconic brand. Much to the utter shock of my 8th-grade music teacher, and everyone who’s ever heard me do karaoke…I’ve even written a couple of jingles!

Outside of the advertising world, I lend my storytelling skills to internet minsters and designated “best humans,” helping individuals craft ceremonies and speeches that (mostly) keep them from being booed off the stage.

If you're looking for big ideas, sticky taglines, entertaining radio or video scripts, creative direction, or help with crafting any upcoming big mic moments, say hi.


Experience

Burns Group | ACD/Writer 2018 – 2021, CD/Writer 2021 - Present | New York, NY

Brands: TERRA Chips, NuFace, Simmons, Catalyst Inc, Chapstick, Labatt, Seagram’s Escape, Seagram’s Spiked, Hemptails, Happy Flower, the Jaunt, among others.

Sony Music Entertainment | Senior Copywriter | 2017 – 2018 | New York, NY

Brands: Wingstop, Hard Rock Hotels, Thread Shop, and various Sony Music Artists, among others.

Mullen Lowe | Copywriter | 2016 – 2017 | New York, NY

Brands: Mount Gay Rum, Cointreau, Marzetti Simply Dressed, Marzetti Veggie Dips, Marzetti Classic Dressings, among others.

Digitas_LBi | Copywriter | 2015 – 2016 | New York, NY

Brands: Chase Sapphire, Chase Freedom, new business pitches, among others.

BFG | Copywriter | 2013 – 2014 | New York, NY

Brands: Espolòn Tequila, Bulldog Gin, Skyy Vodka, among others.

Doe-Anderson | Copywriter | 2011 – 2013 | Louisville, KY

Brands: Maker’s Mark, Maker’s 46, Jim Beam, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Triumph Motorcycles, Devil’s Cut, Bluegrass Cellular, McAlister’s Deli, Eye Associates, Daytona Beach, Bellarmine University, Louisville Slugger, Arai Helmets, Mercy Academy, Belterra Casinos, Independent Bank, among many others.

Awards

Bronze Cube - Use of Technology - ADC AWARDS

Gold  - Organic Promotion - Shorty Social Good Award

Best Cause-Related Campaign - Webby Nominee

Campaign US Inclusive and Creative Award

Creative Effectiveness - One Show Shortlist

Craft Use of Technology - One Show Shortlist

Social Media Post - One Show Shortlist

Featured in ACT exhibition at Cannes Lion Festival

The Drum Award 2019 Brand Content Strategy

2019 Webby Finalist

2014 CCA Excellence in Marketing Award

Reviews

In my many many years in this business I have never worked with anyone more passionate, tenacious and inspired to do big things than Whitley. She accomplished a lot in a short time with us.
— David Vawter, EVP/Chief Creative Officer at Doe-Anderson  
Whitley is more than a talented writer with endless ideas, she’s also a team sure, and a great presenter. The combination of a strong work ethic, original and strategic thinking, and her great disposition all make Whitley unique, and an asset to any creative organization.
— Adam Owett, President/Founder of Arcade Group, Sony Music Entertainment
As a key figure on our agency creative team, Whitley consistently demonstrated passion and clear drive to deliver top notch work. She combines a fearless personality with a complete and personal commitment to delivering work that answers a given challenge in the simplest, most effective way possible. It was a rare pleasure to work with someone of Whitley’s talents.
— Gene Song, Vice President of Crafted Spirits at Rémy Contro
Whitley is the type of creative you want on your team: smart, talented, personable. She has a fresh approach to any project and grounds her ideas strategically and conceptually. She can write in many different voices, making a brand’s voice her own. She has been successful on many different accounts across all channels and platforms, from smaller tasks to integrated campaigns. She is great in taking directions and implementing them into her work but is also resourceful and able to push the work ahead without needing directions all the time. She is also mindful of timing and deadlines and truly reliable. I’m a fan of her personality: straightforward, fun, no ego. I loved working with her and hope we’ll cross paths again.
— Cristina Marcellini, Associative Creative Director MullenLowe
Whitley is a highly motivated and creative copywriter. Whether concepting big ideas or crafting headlines and body copy, she always employs fresh thinking and just the right tone. Her level of preparedness is only exceeded by her passion for the work. Whitley attacks creative problems from all angles with detailed research and an infectious enthusiasm for original solutions. You won’t find a more passionate creative.
— Wes Keeton, Creative Group Head at Doe-Anderson
Whitley is not only one of the most talented copywriters I’ve had the pleasure of working with, but one of the most passionate. She always pushes and digs for the best ideas that tackle the brief in the most creative and strategic ways, that not only produce great work but also pushes the brand to where they need to be. Whitley is an exceptional creative, and I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with her on some of the best work I’ve created this year.
— Britt Vogel, Art Director at MullenLowe
She is unafraid. She is self-confident. She is smart. She is a willing collaborator. She is impatient. In the best of ways.She is passionate about her work. Expect nothing less than a dynamic, driven, impassioned creative thinker.
— Michael Littman, SVP/Chief Marketing Officer at Doe-Anderson
Whitley is an immensely creative and talented writer whose ideas are as fresh and vibrant as her personality. She has an uncanny knack for being able to get inside any client or assignment and come up with just the right approach. A true gem
— Dan Burgess, SVP at Doe-Anderson
I had the pleasure of working with Whitley on a number of brands at BFG. She is amazing. She is always willing to help out, day or night, and can be relied on to deliver a wide range of options, on time and on brief. She is one of the brightest and most uniquely creative individuals I have met. Her love for what she does and hunger for great work is extremely refreshing and makes her a great addition to the team. She is tapped into the latest and hottest trends and is committed to providing relevant work, for any brand and target. I would work again with Whitley in a New York second!
— Allison O’Sullivan, Account Director at BFG Communications
Whitley is a skilled copywriter and fervent creative when it comes to upholding the truths of a brand. She is thorough in everything that she does and excels at providing an endless amount of headlines and copy for any task she is given. She is honest, humble, and a pleasure to work with, an asset to any team.
— Ivonne Azurdia, Associate Creative Director at MullenLowe
I truly enjoyed working with Whitley as a colleague and friend. She always had the ability to inspire those around her thanks to her infectious passion, discipline, and team spirit. I’ve had the fortune of working with Whitley on several assignments and was always impressed by her creativity, copywriting skills, grasp of digital/social media strategy, and general trends.
— Sherif Shafi, VP of Brand Innovation at Arcade Group, Sony Music Entertainment