Mark D. Ferguson

Creative Director

SUMMARY

Award-winning, people-first creative leader with extensive experience in retail and healthcare marketing. Results focused with a legacy of leading high-performing teams and delivering bottom-line value. Successfully partnered at all levels and led the highest revenue-generating campaigns for a Fortune 50 company. Expertise in copy and design, as well as brand development and stewardship. Recognized for exceeding goals and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration while managing groups of 20+.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Spearheaded premier multi-channel campaigns, achieving enterprise-leading profit ROI ($4.75+), consistently surpassing goals

  • Elevated creative standards across B2C and B2B marketing, resulting in excellent brand recognition

  • Played pivotal role in multiple company rebrands and successfully led business and department rebrands on numerous occasions

  • Received prestigious awards, including an Effie, Cause-Marketing Halo, Reggie and PR News Award for the impactful “Get a Shot. Give a Shot.” campaign

  • Won esteemed Champion of Champions award, consistently earning highest engagement scores in division

  • Recruited and nurtured high-performing individuals, leading to one of the top retention rates in company

  • Thrived in fast-paced environments, delivering high-quality results across print, digital, social and video mediums, producing over 1,200 pieces annually

  • Saved company 40% for 10+ years through efficient in-house management vs outsource 

SKILLS

  • Creative team leadership

  • Creative strategy

  • Concept development

  • Branding and identity

  • Visual storytelling

  • Art, photo and video direction

  • Copywriting and editing

  • Customer engagement strategy

  • Campaign development

  • Cross-functional collaboration

  • Concept pitching

  • Multimedia production

WORK EXPERIENCE

Walgreen Co., Deerfield, IL
Creative Director

 2019–2025

  • Elevated company reputation through consistent delivery of best-in-class, award-winning creative

  • Developed high-impact multi-channel content for key company pharmacy campaigns from concept to completion, increasing brand awareness, engagement and retention

  • Created comprehensive brand architecture standards, including a robust logo system for sub-brands, co-brands and services, leading to an increase in brand loyalty

  • Led enterprise copy style book, establishing accuracy across all communications

  • Built strong relationships across enterprise, leading to trusted partnerships and repeat business successes

  • Championed a culture of creativity, encouraging team members to push boundaries in their work, through collaborative workshops and regular brainstorming sessions

  • Led transition, onboarding and immersion of expanded team by 50%, resulting in a highly engaged, united group from multiple disciplines and locations across the country, including remote team members

  • Formulated and monitored staffing budgets to manage expenses and control costs

 2014–2019

Associate Creative Director          

  • Led designers and copywriters to produce innovative creative and optimize productivity

  • Built asset libraries, style guides and design systems, driving campaign consistency and business growth

  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and seamless execution

  • Directed photo shoots for print and digital, guaranteeing brand standards and aligning to business strategy

  • Improved client satisfaction with creative solutions tailored to meet unique business objectives

Creative Manager, Design

 2011–2014

  • Hired, mentored and directed team of designers to concept and execute 1,000+ pieces per year

  • Developed strong relationships with key stakeholders, enhancing collaboration on critical initiatives and increasing overall project success rates

  • Built first pharmacy image library after directing month-long photo shoot, including casting and wardrobe

  • Formed new team of creatives and led rebrand of Take Care Clinics as Healthcare Clinics in 370 stores

Creative Manager, Copywriting and Content Management

 2006–2011

  • Generated compelling copy for brochures, signs, print, radio scripts, TV storyboards and trade shows

  • Ensured all content was accurate, legal, translated and stored for future reference and use

  • Created our first advertising content database, increasing copywriting efficiency by 25%

 2001–2006

Creative Manager, Special Projects

  • Directed team of designers and writers to create everything from brochures to billboards while consistently meeting deadlines and maintaining a high standard of work

  • Responsible for processing and managing every request plus writing, designing and on-time delivery

  • Served as ambassador on customer service task force, consistently demonstrating commitment to delivering exceptional service

Copywriter, Special Projects

 1999–2001

Wrote print ads, catalogs, brochures, billboards and our centennial calendar.

Editorial Specialist

 1996–1999

Reviewed, edited and ensured all pieces went to press with 100% accuracy.

Copywriter

 1994–1996

Wrote weekly ad and institutional copy.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts: English and Journalism

Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa

Cum laude, dean’s list, baseball team captain, all-conference