Interpublic agency Golin has announced the appointment of Anthony O’Neill as the Executive Creative Director at its Chicago headquarters.
O’Neill will take on a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s creative endeavors, and he will report to Ron D’Innocenzo, Chief Creative Officer for North America at Golin. Together, O’Neill and D’Innocenzo will lead a dynamic team of creative directors, content experts, culture influencers, and designers. This ac
Anthony brings an impressive track record from his previous role as Creative Director at Goodby Silverstein & Partners. In his new position at Golin, O’Neill will spearhead a diverse creative team tasked with delivering innovative solutions for clients that include industry giants like Allstate, Dyson, Grubhub, McDonald’s, and Walmart. In his expanded role, O’Neill will also join Golin’s global creative leadership group, working closely with George Bryant, the Global Chief Creative Officer, to strategically address the agency’s most critical global creative requirements.
Commenting on his new role to Adweek, O’Neill emphasized the significance of “earned-first creative” in today’s fast-paced world, stating, “Nothing is given, and everything must be earned when it comes to connecting with humans.” He expressed his enthusiasm for leading a team of creative minds and fostering a culture of ambitious thinking to create work that inspires action, thus shaping the future of Golin.
With a remarkable 15-year career in the industry, O’Neill has made substantial contributions to brands such as BMW, Capri Sun, Courageous Conversations Global Foundation, Jack Daniels, Michelob Ultra, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, The Golden State Warriors, and Xfinity, including work featured during the Super Bowl.
Before joining Golin, O’Neill had a successful 13-year creative partnership with Rony Castor, collaborating with agencies like DDB, FCB, Commonground MSG (now Ten35), Havas, and Burrell Communications. O’Neill’s creative prowess has been recognized with various awards, including his inclusion in Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2020 and his distinction as a finalist in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas. Last year, he was honored as the Adcolor One Club Creative Honoree, further highlighting his contributions to the creative world.
Ron D’Innocenzo, Chief Creative Officer, North America at Golin, praised O’Neill’s appointment, saying, “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.” D’Innocenzo emphasized O’Neill’s ability to enhance the creative leadership team, incorporating experience in sports and entertainment, and fostering a diverse perspective that leads to groundbreaking outcomes. The importance of finding an inspiring leader who can shape campaigns reflecting the communities served while nurturing the next generation of talent was underscored.
Anthony O’Neill holds a deep sense of responsibility to lead work that saves lives and creates meaningful change. His efforts in this direction include campaigns for the Courageous Conversations Global Foundation over the past five years, with notable work such as the award-winning “Not a Gun” campaign and the recent “Driving While Black” initiative developed in partnership with Goodby Silverstein & Partners, his previous employer.
Ginger Porter, Central Region President at Golin, expressed her admiration for O’Neill, emphasizing his strong vision, unwavering conviction, creative energy, and inspiring leadership style. She described how O’Neill has already begun to foster greater creative bravery and a groundbreaking approach with Golin’s clients and teams in his short time at the agency.
O’Neill’s appointment is poised to bring fresh energy and creativity to Golin’s Chicago headquarters, further solidifying the agency’s commitment to innovative, impactful, and community-focused creative work.
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