Joel is an award-winning Art Director and Creative Director whose work has been recognized in numerous national and international award shows, including Cannes, D&AD, The One Show, CommArts, Clios, LIAs, and The Effies.

He began his career as an intern at DDB Canada in 2003, quickly advancing to a full-time Art Director. In 2008 and 2009, Joel represented Canada in the Cannes Young Lions competition, winning a silver medal in the film category in 2009. In 2010, he joined Red Urban as Lead Senior Art Director, focusing on growing the Volkswagen brand in Canada. By 2013, Joel had moved to BBDO Toronto as VP, Associate Creative Director, where he led some of the agency’s largest accounts.

With over 22 years of experience and a deep understanding of production, Joel has worked on more than 60 brands. He is known for finding inventive ways to tell a brand’s story, guiding new creative talent, and driving results—across any medium.

Freelance // 2020 - Current

Associate creative/creative direction, art direction, and design.

BBDO  //  VP, Associate Creative Director  // 2013 - 2020

• Integral in helping train and hone creative talent at the agency

• Managed and oversaw biggest clients at the agency

• Integral in winning awards, creating publicity resulting in Agency of the Year awards

• Lead teams and individuals on accounts across all agency departments

• Integral in winning new business and projects for the agency

Worked on and oversaw: Wrigley (Skittles, Excel, 5Gum, Juicy Fruit), Mercedes, Smart Car, FedEx, Appleton Estate Rum, Takenote, RBC, RBC Avion, Avion Rewards, Rogers Ignite, Lung Association, Sobeys Olympics, Harlequin, MoH: Smoking Cessation, Visa/TIFF, Pedigree, Snickers, Bayer, Quaker, and more.

Red Urban  //  Senior Creative, Art Director // 2010 - 2013

• Integral in helping train and hone new creative talent at the agency.

• Integral in agency winning awards and generating buzz for the newly created agency

• Integral in growing agency from 7 employees to 55

Worked on and lead projects for: Volkswagen Canada, Volkswagen Global, Alexander Keith’s, 23 Degrees Roastery, Drake General Store, Richmond Optometry, and new business pitches.

DDB Canada // Creative, Art Director  //  2003 - 2010

• Integral in winning awards, creating publicity for the agency

Worked on brands such as:Jagermeister, Philips, Statefarm, Neutrogena, Clean&Clear, RoC, Aveeno, Subaru, Hertz, Glad, Clorox, Crime Stoppers, Greenpeace, Knorr, TVO Kids, Esso, Canadian Tourism Commision, Enwise, and more.

2x Cannes Young Lions Canada winner (Gold), 1x Cannes Young lions Cannes Winner (Silver) 


BBDO-U // Certificate - Course dealing with client management, business management (Instructed by Harvard Business School professor) creative direction and advanced communication and presentation skills by internationally recognized creative directors.

Humber College  //  2001 - 2003  //  Diploma in Advertising & Graphic Design with Honours

Awarded and recognized time and time again by international/national creativity, effectiveness and strategy organizations for work across multiple mediums and channels.