MeringCarson announced today that it has hired one of the world’s most awarded creative directors, Mark Taylor, as Chief Creative Officer. The 100-person California-based agency has offices in Sacramento and San Diego, and clients including: Visit California, The Islands of Tahiti, Merlin Entertainments (LEGOLAND), Pebble Beach Company, San Diego Tourism Authority, among many others.
Not only has Taylor worked on some of the most prominent campaigns in advertising history, but he also served as the lead on multiple accounts, driving business results and revenue across every category for blue chip brands such as: Air Force, American Express, Bayer, BMW, Brawny, Bud Light, GMC, KFC, S.C. Johnson & Son, Marshalls, Nestlé Waters, Norwegian Cruise Line, Southwest Airlines, Windows Phone and Wrigley Company.
Taylor has had an illustrious career, with the majority of time spent at Crispin, Porter + Bogusky (CP+B) where he was responsible for creating some of the agency’s most iconic work, including MINI Cooper’s “Let’s Motor” and the Film Grand Prix-winning Ikea “Lamp” spot. For Burger King, he developed the Titanium Grand Prix-winning “XBOX Games,” the reincarnation of the “King,” and “Subservient Chicken,” which was named the One Show’s “Digital Idea of the Decade.” He also spearheaded the “Small Business Saturday” work for American Express, which won ten Cannes Lions including two Grand Prix, in what Fast Company Magazine referred to as “the most successful campaign of the decade.”
“The most exciting moments in my career revolved around developing creative platforms that used bold brand purpose and action to drive consumer engagement,” said Taylor. “So, I was naturally drawn to MeringCarson because of its similar focus on using experiences and social movements to achieve business results. Dave and I are aligned in our belief that it isn’t enough to simply be a good storyteller. In order to truly become a brand engrained in culture, you need to stand for something and consistently express it in everything you do.”
MeringCarson Founder and CEO Dave Mering said: “It isn’t often that you find someone with Mark’s marketing and creative chops, who is also humble. During the process, it was clear that he will not only add value to our clients’ businesses but that he will also help me continue to provide our employees with an outstanding place to do incredible work.”
He added: “Mark stood apart from other candidates because he lined up with our intention to expand our client roster and footprint in the U.S. We believe Mark’s work across multiple categories will attract marketers in key growth areas and that he will expand our profile outside of the California market. This is going to be an exciting time for our company and I am thrilled he will help us lead the agency over the next many years.”
Taylor most recently ran his own firm, Mark Taylor, LLC where he worked with esteemed agencies including: BBDO, David&Goliath, Digitas, Doner, FCB, Leo Burnett, mcgarrybowen, Publicis, VMLY&R, leading campaigns or new business pitches for brands such as: 3M, Blue Bunny, Ford, GMC, Goose Island, Indeed, Intel, Jeep, Kia, Miller Lite, Nestlé Waters, Pizza Hut, Rolex, Taco Bell, Tesla, Wendy’s, and Schick. During this period, he also served as Interim Executive Creative Director, leading the GMC creative pitch for EM1, where in six months, he helped defend the account, and lead it to a triumphant win, launching the “Like A Pro” effort, which debuted in 2017.
Prior to his own firm, Taylor served as EVP Chief Creative Officer at Energy BBDO, where he led a team of 275 people, and a portfolio of global clients within Anheuser-Busch, Bayer, PepsiCo, S.C. Johnson & Son and Wrigley Company. During that time, the agency developed award-winning work including Bud Light’s “Up for Whatever” Campaign and the “Real-Life Pacman” Super Bowl commercial, along with Extra’s “Sarah & Juan,” an internet sensation, which racked up 74 million views in its first week online.
The search was led by Doug Baxter of The Prosper Group. Taylor replaces Greg Carson, who recently became Partner/Chief Creative Officer at Crown & Greyhound, an agency with offices in Las Vegas and San Diego, focused on digital branded storytelling.
Taylor previously held roles as: Co-Creative Director at Fallon, Minneapolis and Executive Creative Director at GSD&M, Austin. He is married to Adrienne Scordato, Founder and CEO of Atrium PR LLC, a firm specializing in public relations work for advertising, marketing, media and technology brands and he has two children, Alyssa and Austin.
About MeringCarson:
We Move People. Founded in 1985, MeringCarson is an advertising agency focused on brands, companies and organizations who are in the business of experiences – destinations, entertainment, and social movements. With offices in Northern and Southern California, MeringCarson serves a roster of clients that include: Visit California, CA Community Colleges, KSL Resorts/Monarch Beach, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Merlin Entertainments (LEGOLAND), Pebble Beach Company, San Diego Tourism Authority, The Islands of Tahiti, and Visit Napa Valley. For more information, visit MeringCarson.com.
