Todd Tilford is a creative executive, brand strategist, entrepreneur, and proven brand transformer.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Todd has built, repositioned, and transformed some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Michelob Ultra, Converse, KFC, the NFL, DIRECTV, Dr. Martens, Hummer, Ketel One Vodka, and others.
His work sits at the intersection of brand strategy, creativity, culture, innovation, and business transformation.
As Chief Creative Officer of FCB Chicago, Todd helped lead the transformation of both the agency and its clients, creating the strategy and creative platform that helped make Michelob Ultra the fastest-growing beer in the world for five consecutive years and ultimately the #1 beer in the U.S. He also helped reverse an eight-year sales slump at KFC and turned Kmart into the world’s most viral retailer.
Previously, as Executive Creative Director at Grey New York, Todd led the strategy and creative development of the NFL’s first integrated brand platform, helping drive the highest sales and viewership in the league’s history. He also led the strategy and creative platform for DIRECTV, helping drive the highest sales and stock price in the company’s history. His work for Ketel One Vodka helped drive a 53% increase in sales in the first year.
Earlier, as founder and Chief Creative Officer of Pyro, Todd created Converse’s global “Blank Canvas” brand platform, repositioning the company around Chuck Taylors and helping lay the foundation for its transformation from a $205 million business into a multibillion-dollar global brand. He also helped transform Hummer from military and ranch equipment into a cultural icon and created Dr. Martens’ global “Brand Art” platform, which helped drive the highest sales in the company’s history.
Todd’s experience extends far beyond traditional advertising into brand and business strategy, product development, design, digital and social, entertainment, content, film, experiential, and new ways of building creative organizations.
He has been a featured speaker at the VCU Brandcenter, Art Directors Club of New York, and Harvard Women in Business, and his work has appeared in multiple college textbooks. He has been recognized with more than 30 Cannes Lions and more than 15 D&AD and One Show Gold awards.
Different industries. Different disciplines. Different problems. One constant: using creativity to transform business and culture for brands.