I’m a brand strategist, currently the Senior Vice President of Strategy at MSL Group in New York.
Previously, I was a Strategy Director in Social at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York, a member of the Music Content Strategy and Editorial team at TikTok, and a Senior Social and Digital Strategist at john st. Before that, I was Social Content Strategist at Wieden+Kennedy in Amsterdam, and the Social Strategist at Commonwealth McCann in Toronto, where I managed a small team.
In my career, I’ve created integrated strategy and content campaigns for brands like Hilton, mtn dew, Bud Light, KFC, Corona, AXE, and Spotify, and many others.
My work has been recognized by numerous awarding bodies, including Cannes Lions, The Clios, The One Show, The Effie Awards, The Ad Age Creativity Awards, and more.
Along with my friend James, I’m co-founder of Boosie Fade, a hip-hop party turned music and film events company that spawned a series of online communities, a hit podcast, and a recurring screening series in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival.
Through Boosie Fade, we collaborated with brands like the Toronto International Film Festival, Red Bull Music, Live Nation, eOne, adidas, and many others. Uproxx called us “one of the most unique places on the internet.” Red Bull Music said we were “Toronto’s coolest rap party turned internet forum.” I’m aware there wasn’t much competition for that particular designation, but dang. It’s nice to hear nevertheless.
In 2019, NOW Magazine called our podcast, Catch Up, one of Toronto’s best.
I've written for publications like SSense, The FADER, VICE, Complex, and NOW Magazine, amongst others.
I’m also a former stand-up comedian. In the recent past, I’ve hosted panel events, videos, red carpet events, and just about everything else. I've appeared on television three times, and been solicited for my opinions on culture online and on the radio. I was also very nearly the host of a children’s television show once.
Holler at me: josoliveshere at gmail dot com
Photo by Narisa Ladak.