Me, solo; me, reading about Mary-Kate Olsen while visiting her (make-believe) childhood home in San Francisco. How special.

Hi there. I’m Carly.

Here's the short version of what I do: 1. I'm well-rounded so I can make stuff happen, alone or on a team; 2. I love PowerPoint (and know you probably hate it); 3. I'm a fast, fun, hands-on, low-ego leader. 

And the long one: A writer-strategist-marketer-storyteller-designer with nearly 20 years of experience on the client and agency sides, I've been both a creative director and brand strategist who can work well and fit in with teams of writers, designers, developers, strategists, and more, working with clients ranging from big names like Discover, HP, Samsung, and IHG Hotels to small startups. My focus on B2B integrated campaigns and branding has given me valuable insights into vertical markets, sales channels, digital media, and more. But my love of all things analog keeps me grounded (and constantly looking for ways to combine digital with IRL).

But to live up to my well-roundedness, I'm always expanding my horizons beyond B2B to include a wider net of brands and media. And I’ve been trending closer and closer to data-driven creativity, even developing and implementing my own process for naming clients’ products and services. And my always-improving design skills (and printer parents) have grown into a fun side hustle.

I'm known for my love of lists & infographics, my extensive trivia knowledge, and my thick Wisconsin accent (even though I haven't lived there since 2003).

Wander around this site to see some of my work; you can also Google me to learn more, but I'll warn you: there's a much younger actress who shares my name. I'm not her. 

In my free time: 

  • I make minimalist art for fans of sports, shows, and the ABCs

  • I podcast about pop culture because I watch a lot of stuff

  • I screenprint because it forces me to really concentrate

  • I design presentations because PowerPoint is the best

  • I root for the Badgers, Brewers, and Bucks

  • I join fantasy leagues because I retired from actual sports when I tore my ACL playing rec league flag football

  • I spoil my niece & nephew because that's what aunts do