Paul Behnen

Brand/Creative Director

Paul Behnen_DSC_1131_crop.jpg — Hi there.

I'm on the lookout for opportunities to elevate brands of all sizes with brilliant creative strategy, making their stories truly shine. As a deeply experienced brand/creative director, I've got the flexibility to work from anywhere, anytime. With a diverse background spanning numerous categories, I'm equipped to tackle any client's needs.

My journey kicked off at Washington University in my hometown of St. Louis. Picture this: fresh-faced me nervously presenting creative ideas to August Busch III at the A-B Brewery. Miraculously, I managed to keep my pants dry, and he bought into the concept, sparking my passion for advertising. From there, I've always been grateful for the invaluable lessons learned from working alongside immensely talented folks and learning from the best in the business.

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From there, I ventured to Chicago as a senior Art Director at JWT before making waves in New York as Group Creative Director at McCann. During my time there, McCann earned the coveted title of AdAge Agency of the Year, not once but twice. Then during my tenure as Creative Director at Grey NY, I led the iconic E*TRADE baby campaign, catapulting Grey into Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies.”

You can take the boy out of the MidWest, but hard to take the MidWest out of the boy. So it was an easy move to KC and my honor to build and nurture the creative teams at several agencies as their creative leader. In fact, while Executive Creative Director at Barkley, Kansas City, I brought home their first and still only Cannes Lion.

Today, I've found my home in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, where I've put down roots as Brand/Creative Director with HappyValleyPlants.com. I'm nurturing the growth of success, and it's blooming on a global scale!

I love what I do. And I love working with people who share that passion. (Okay, maybe a tad too much love, but you catch my drift.) Creativity has always been a team effort – the joy of chasing dreams and making them a reality together. In today's world, with the magic of AI and remote teams, being a seasoned creative director isn't just about being creative; it's about being indispensable. Let's connect and let me help take your brand to new heights.