About — Terry Stewart

I’m a writer, creative director, strategist, thinker and problem solver living in, working from, and driving kids all across, St. Louis, MO.

If you asked my 11-year-old what I do, he’d answer, “Dad writes the words people say on TV commercials.” That used to be enough. Now, there has to be more. I want my kids to see the good that can be achieved through purposeful organizations, thoughtful brands and strong communications.

I hope they see the good that I help create.

That doesn’t mean they gain a greater understanding of what I do. It means I have an even greater focus on doing work that lives up to that standard.

That’s what comes next. Until then, some things that have already happened:

Professional Experience

Executive Creative Director / Paradowski Creative / Feb 2021 - Apr 2023

Led an insanely talented creative department: On paper, I was responsible for the growth, fulfillment and output of 34 Creative Directors, Writers, Art Directors and Motion Graphics Designers. In practice, I was in awe of those folks. Every day.

Collaborated with the Design Director to help lead and plan for the agency’s specialist teams, including an additional 14 creatives in Film, XD, 3D and Production
Recruited kind, thoughtful, brave and they’ve-just-got-it-in-their-bones creatives nationwide, with an emphasis on increasing female voices and perspectives within the department (16 out of 26 department hires)
Evolved the creative department structure to afford increased variety in assignments, more flexibility to meet ebbs and flows of workload, opportunities for creative collaboration at every level, and more clearly defined career paths
Partnered with the Director of Strategy to help set, and at times author, the strategic direction for clients ranging from Fortune Global 500 corporations to locally-famous, family-owned pizza shops
Pitched in, wrote copy, carried water for, and sometimes led creative new business efforts, including wins for Bayer, Bayer Crop Science, TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods, Enterprise Holdings and the St. Louis Zoo
Kept my sleeves up, hands dirty and tools sharp by supporting the teams with creative direction and copywriting as needed
And, math: Established a new level of financial rigor and planning for creative department allocations, identifying team resourcing needs while reconciling and updating inconsistent team salaries

Additional Responsibilities, Qualifications
and Badges of Honor

Adept at managing multiple family fishing poles simultaneously including baiting, detangling and hook removal in a fast-paced catch and release environment.

Goal-oriented manager committed to providing development opportunities for the team, including transportation to and from soccer practice, soccer school, soccer games, back to soccer practice, CITY matches, soccer tournaments, and soccer school. Again.