PAUL SCHMIDT
FOUNDER •CREATIVE DIRECTOR • COPYWRITER
1420 NE Siskiyou Street, Portland OR 97212 • schmidtski2112@gmail.com • 917.664.9563
SKILLS
Listening, Writing, Collaborating, Leading, Creating, Energizing. That’s what I do.
Innovative Creative Director and Copywriter with extensive experience in creating compelling narratives and executing impactful campaigns. Spearheaded award-winning projects that enhanced brand visibility and audience engagement across various industries, including healthcare, sports and entertainment. Expertise in collaborating with cross-functional teams and platforms to develop strategic messaging that resonates with target audiences. Passionate about leveraging storytelling to drive emotional connections and foster authentic brand representation.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY & HIGHLIGHTS
Dec 2019 — Current Founder, Chief Creative Director, WHERE ARE WE NOW?
My passion project: Creating a documentary film about the experiences of blind/visually adaptive skiers, their guides, guide dogs, and living life to its fullest. The goal of the film is to “ski how we feel.” Not only with blind sticks or white canes, but with ski poles. I started my own production company called OTHERS LLC to get the film off the ground and make this dream a reality. Still a work in progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH4roVOi3e4
Feb 2022- Feb 2023 Kate Farms, Freelance Creative Director & Copy Consultant
Kate Farms isn’t a big company, but they are doing really big things to help people with organic, plant-based nutritional supplements, from kids to seniors. With a very big heart. The work we created is good for all of us.
https://schmidti.me/#/new-gallery-3/
Apr 2019 — Jun 2019 Freelance Creative & Copy Consultant, McCann Health
Living with plaque psoriasis isn’t always easy. I know, I’m living with it. The work we created for Skyrizi has helped people with autoimmune diseases transform their lives from living in fear, to living in freedom.
Apr 2018 — Jan 2019 Acorda Therapeutics, Creative Director/Creative Consultant Ardsley, NY
360 Consumer Launch for INBRIJA, a newly approved therapy for Parkinson’s disease. The first inhaled form of levodopa that can reach the brain through the lungs before passing to the digestive tract. Clinical trials funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Lead Creative Director for consumer website, HCP website, Doctor Discussion Guide, Corporate Communications, CRM (email & print), all in-office materials, Start Kit materials, and How-To Video.
https://schmidti.me/#/new-page/
Apr 2006 — Nov 2017 Associate Creative Director/Sr. Copywriter, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness
Working at SSW opened up so many doors creatively. I had the opportunities to work on Ambien CR, Frontline Plus, Seroquel XR, HUMIRA (Dermatology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, HUMIRA Complete), Acorda Therapeutics and to got to be one of the Keynote Speakers at 2016 Cannes Lions Health Inspiration Stage.
Jul 1995 — Apr 2006 Copywriter, The Ad Store
I was so lucky early in my career. I had the pleasure to help JetBlue Airways bring humanity and humor to the airline industry. Give Mike’s Hard Lemonade a new, refreshing voice. Motivate people to go to the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers in New York. Create my first tv campaign for Alpine Lace, which was a blast and a huge learning experience. We helped Comedy Central find a way to be even funnier. Let locals know that Gourmet Garage was a neighbor in the West Village. Created work (and ate popcorn at the same time) for Loews Cineplex Entertainment that brought humor to the audience before the movie even started. And wrote a very funny film about the Toronto Short Film Festival.Jul 1995 — Apr
EDUCATION
The Creative Circus, Atlanta GA
Portfolio Center, Atlanta GA
BA/Journalism, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
National Ability Center
Ping Pong Parkinson
Oregon Food Bank
Westchester, NY Food Bank
Bridgetown Church Creative Community