• creative strategy & campaigns
• branding & naming
• messaging & content
• marketing & product design
• media & film
• events
• human-centric change
• consulting & workshops
• buidling and inspiring teams
• turning a blank page into a solution
Hey there! It's Donna Crain.
Senior Creative/Brand + Comms Leader
I've worked internally and externally across industries and audiences, most recently as Global Director Brand and Experience for a Big 4 tech org. There's no one, simple, way to describe what I can do. Build a brand from scratch? Cool. Jump in to lead an existing team. Let's go! Get hands on and bring things to life? Bring it on!
Mostly I like to collaborate and produce beautiful, high quality work and bring thoughtful, measurable solutions to challenges.
I'm the kind of person who...
...filled a pipeline for a big box retailer
STRATEGY | CREATIVE DIRECTION
As Creative Director at EXPO Design Center—the billion dollar luxury division of The Home Depot—I was challenged with helping drive project business during a traditionally slow time for the retailer. We created a multimedia campaign that encouraged people to take advantage of special financing and "give" new rooms for the holidays. The unexpected approach succeeded in booking hundreds of projects and millions in sales.
...delivered learning with laughs
PROGRAM LEADER | CREATIVE DIRECTION | MARKETING
When a Global CIO requested a humorous internal security awareness video series, I built a team, a brand, and a program that transcended norms. The series has strong brand engagement, received multiple external awards, became a revenue stream through resale, and is key to the firm retaining certifications that enable closing of new and retention of millions of dollars in ongoing business.
...co-founded a startup
NAMING | BRANDING | PRODUCT DESIGN | UX + UI | DIGITAL MARKETING CONTENT & CAMPAIGNS
We built a tech company offering a first-of-its-kind app in an untapped billion dollar industry. Here's where I fell in love with technology and fully recognized the value of resilience and an innovator mindset. Read the case study.
...brought soul to a big, scary transformation
CHANGE LEADER | CREATIVE DIRECTION
Storytelling makes transformations sticky. When I was called to lead change for an initiative poised to impact 10,000 technologists across the world, I tapped my external marketing and customer-centric experience, turned talking heads ON their head, built a new brand, and created engaging assets that worked alongside legalese and FAQs to instill a feeling of community.
...can throw a party
BIG IDEAS | STRATEGY | BRANDING | EVENT PLANNING + DESIGN
It usually starts with "you know what could be interesting?" then creatively and fearlessly bringing it to life. It's how I ended up putting on a reputation-changing tech showcase that was more music festival than trade show. And how we opened up a virtual innovation festival to an entire Big 4 firm and delivered content that drew in thousands of attendees from more than 40 countries.
We could do some great work together. Wanna chat?
...brings products to life
CREATIVE DIRECTION | COPY | PHOTO ART DIRECTION | CASTING | LOCATIONS
I like sharing everyday products so they stand out and quickly tell a relatable story. Drop a cake on a stain-resistant carpet, give a puppy a bath with a flexible faucet, or turn an entry rug into a stage, and a customer sees how it can fit into their life.
