dotbruce@me.com
703.346.2040

Bruce Gifford

Creating innovative campaigns in HCP, DTC, and consumer, specializing in oncology and rare diseases.

FCB Health - New York, NY 2021 – 2024
SVP/Creative Director
• Employing a high-energy, storytelling approach to produce award-winning work in digital, social, video, and print for HCP and consumer segments 
• Successfully launched EPKINLY (lymphoma), MAYZENT (multiple sclerosis), VABYSMO (macular edema), and ZOLGENSMA (spinal muscular atrophy)
• Mentoring junior creatives, enhancing their concepting, presentation, and leadership skills
• Advising clients on strategic direction and emerging digital trends to engage non-traditional messaging and social campaigns
• Driving multiple new business wins, while securing budget increases through innovative creative ideas and compelling client presentations

Merkley + Partners - New York, NY 2018-2021
VP/Creative Director
• Managed all agency healthcare accounts, including broadcast TV for ZILRETTA (osteoarthritis), original and impactful social campaigns for QVAR (asthma), and HETLIOS (non-24)
• Engaged Search Engine Marketing and SEO with heavy social efforts for consumer brands 
• Earned MM+M award for outstanding digital work on ZILRETTA
• Supported Mercedes, White Castle, and BIC pens in digital and social campaigns

J. Walter Thompson - New York, NY 2016-2018
VP/Creative Director
• Created a pioneering animated campaign for SYMBICORT (COPD)
• Led HCP and patient campaigns for the massive launch of OPDIVO (lung cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, lymphoma)
• Successfully lobbied FDA for approval to become one of the first brands allowed to promise longer life in a national TV campaign 

Harrison/Star New York, NY 2015-2016
Creative Director/copy - freelance
• Directed HCP and patient work for digital work on LENVIMA (kidney cancer, liver cancer, endometrial cancer), KEYTRUDA (endometrial cancer), POMALYST (multiple myeloma), HALAVEN (metastatic breast cancer), EISAI (non-small cell lung cancer), STEGLATRO (Type 2 diabetes) 

Wunderman World Health - New York, NY, 2012-2014
Creative Director
• Successfully pitched and won the digital Flonase account
• Relaunched Excedrin and developed impactful campaigns for Triaminic, BreatheRight, Chantix, and Voltaren)

SmithGifford - Washington, DC, 2004-2012
Founder/Chief Creative Officer
• Founded and scaled a startup advertising agency to a $15 million enterprise with a national client base before successfully selling the agency and relocating to New York City. CLIENTS: Identity Guard, Roy Rogers, National Geographic, Inova Healthcare, Bon Secours Hospitals, Prometheus Labs.

ARNOLD WORLDWIDE - McLean, VA 2001-2002
Group Creative Director
• Ran a group of national accounts including Choice Hotels, Washington Post, BBC America, McDonald's, HealthCare Plus (BCBS), and Stihl Power Equipment
• I convinced myself it was easy, so I quit and started my own agency. Then it wasn’t so easy.

GOODBY SILVERSTEIN & PARTNERS - San Francisco, CA 1996-1999
Copywriter
• An intense 4 years of amazing creative, 2 Superbowl ads, and a Cannes Lion. Pitched and won $80 million Discover Card account 
• ACCOUNTS: Nike, Budweiser, Hewlett Packard, Starbucks, E*Trade, 7Up, Wall Street Journal, Unilever

Awards

Cannes Lion
Gold Effie
MM+M Award
One Show
Radio Mercury Awards
Best in Show - The Richmond Show
Best in Show - DC ADDYs (4 years in a row)
Show South
Hatch Awards
San Francisco Show
FunniestAdsOnTV

Honors & Activities

AdWeek "All Star Writer" of the South
ADDYs Judge, 2009, 2013
Guest Lecturer, Miami Ad School, George Mason University
SmithGifford voted "Best Places to Work in DC" 2006

Personal

Professional beekeeper with hives on the roof of MoMA, Brooklyn Museum, and MAD museum in New York City. Created pharmageddon.nyc, a satirical site about bad pharmaceutical advertising. Wrote a book for parents about questions kids ask called ”Just One More Question.”