James Gillespie / VP Creative Director

Creative leader specializing in consumer and professional healthcare advertising. Driving force behind award-winning work for top healthcare brands. Language enthusiast with expertise in MLR and health literacy. Trusted mentor of creative teams with highly trained eyes and ears in broadcast, digital, print, film & music production.

EXPERIENCE

Vice President Director, Creative @ Digitas (2024 to present)

Creative direction, copywriting, and management of creative teams for DTC and HCP communications including digital and print CRM. Brands include:

    • Nurtec ODT (Pfizer): migraine

    • Xeljanz (Pfizer): rheumatology, gastroenterology

    • Cibinqo (Pfizer): dermatology

Associate Creative Director @ Razorfish (formerly Publicis Hawkeye) (2021 to 2024)

Creative direction, copywriting, and management of creative teams for DTC and HCP communications including digital CRM (social, web, banners, email, print). Brands included:

    • Injectafer (Daiichi Sankyo): hematology, oncology, cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, women’s health, pediatrics, internal medicine

    • Tepezza (Amgen, formerly Horizon): ophthalmology, endocrinology

    • Krystexxa (Amgen, formerly Horizon): rheumatology, nephrology

    • Uplizna (Amgen, formerly Horizon): neurology

Family Caregiver (2018–2020)

Activities included medication management, meal prep/feeding, wheelchair transferring, driver.


Associate Creative Director @ FCB Chicago (formerly DraftFCB) (2011–2018)

Creative direction, copywriting, and management of creative teams for DTC and HCP communications including broadcast, digital, social, experiential, print. Brands included:

    • Restasis, Eyepowerment (Allergan): ophthalmology

    • Stelara (Janssen): dermatology, rheumatology

    • Eloctate & Alprolix (Biogen): hemophilia

    • Invega Trinza (Janssen): schizophrenia

    • Prezcobix (Janssen): HIV


Senior Copywriter @ Abelson Taylor (2005–2011)

Copywriting for DTC and HCP communications including broadcast, digital, interactive, experiential, print. Brands included:

    • Enbrel (Amgen/Pfizer): dermatology, rheumatology

    • Effient (Eli Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo): cardiology

    • Prasugrel prelaunch unbranded; cardiology

Senior Copywriter @ Topin (now HCB Health) (2004–2005)

Copywriting for HCP communications including digital, experiential, print.  Brands included:

    • Baxter medical devices and manufacturing

    • AVAR-e. BenNic, Nicomide & Nicomide-T (Sirius Laboratories): dermatology

    • Lindane and Prednisolone (Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals): dermatology

    • BIS Brain Monitor (Aspect Medical): medical device


Copywriter @ Williams Labadie (now Razorfish Health, Publicis Groupe) (2003–2004) 

Copywriting for HCP communications including digital, experiential, print. Brands included:

    • Adenoscan and Protopic (Astellas/Fujisawa): dermatology

    • Acticoat, Dermagraft, Secura (Smith & Nephew): dermatology

    • Proleukin (Chiron): oncology

    • Eli Lilly: corporate branding

    • Oscient: corporate branding

Copywriter @ Ambrosi (1997–2000)

Copywriting for retail communications including print ads and catalogs. Brands included:

    • Godiva Chocolatiers

    • Ulta Cosmetics

    • Carson Pirie Scott

    • Sears

    • Walgreens

    • Carpet One

    • The Great Indoors

    • Workbench

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Senior Editor and Writer @ AAMA (Medical Association) (1992–1996; 2000–2003)

Writing, editing, and design of medical magazine, website, textbooks, brochures, print ads, media kits, newsletters.


Assistant Marketing Director @ PCI (Architectural Engineering Association) (1996–1997)

Writing, editing, and design of trade magazine, newsletter, convention program, textbooks, brochures, press releases, executive speeches, and awards program.


News Reporter @ Daily Herald (Chicago Suburban Newspaper) (1992)

Education and government reporter.


Legal Proofreader @ Commerce Clearing House (Legal Publisher) (1986–1991)

Proofreading of legal publications.

Freelance writer (1986–present)

Freelance feature writer, news reporter, and arts & entrainment reporter.

EDUCATION

Loyola University of Chicago (1986)

Bachelor of arts in communication / journalism

English & music minors

AWARDS & ACTIVITIES

  • Healthcare industry recognition includes MM&M Award, PM360 Trailblazer Award, National Health Award, RX Club Award, and National DTC Award

  • Jury member for advertising award shows including the EFFIE (collegiate), GLOBALS (healthcare advertising) and AICE Awards (film editing)

  • Chicago Sun-Times Ray Brennan Memorial Scholarship for outstanding collegiate journalism

  • Loyola University Edmund J. Rooney Award for outstanding journalism (2)

  • Writer-Editor of Cadence creative arts journal

  • Features editor and columnist at The Phoenix newspaper

  • Former champion Irish dancer with Michael Flatley and the Trinity Irish Dancers

  • Freelance musician, DJ, and sound engineer for studio & stage

Résumé (PDF)