YOUR STORY IS POWERFUL

Let's put it to work.

a FEW WORDS ABOUT ME

Hello. I'm Christopher. ( he / him )

I am a seasoned and skilled storyteller and copywriter.
For nearly four decades I have been crafting narratives and language that defines the distinctive personality of brands, products, services–even people–and champions their purpose.

It is a mission and craft I have honed through a lifetime's experience working with marketers, communications agencies and clients of virtually every size, scale and business category.

Your story is already powerful. Let's charge it up, spark it to life–and put it to work.

a FEW WORDS ABOUT ME image

words at work

Whether it's to inspire, inform, empower or incite, compelling narrative and copy can move the needle.

Advertising & Marketing

Copy that's crisp, concise and always in context. Crafting the right message for the medium, the audience and the modern-day attention span.

Corporate & Brand

Creating the language and voice that defines, distinguishes and consistently reinforces the core values, vision, ethos and culture of the company and brand.

Website copy & Scripts

The digital storefront requires well chosen words that inform, impress and persuade. Copy that enhances visitor engagement and inspires customer confidence.

show & tell

Pictures are always worth a thousand words. Though adding a few well chosen words never hurts.

IN OTHER'S WORDS

 Christopher is the Swiss Army knife of words. His natural creativity combined with his depth of experience allow him to quickly understand the need and produce the right words in the right way that delivers and often exceeds expectations on any project. If you aren’t plugging into Christopher’s talent, you are missing out. 

Nolan Berg: President & Managing Partner, arC Agency

 Having worked with Christopher as both an agency colleague and as a client, his creativity, copy craftsmanship and communications skills have always contributed to a final product and outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. He gets what's needed to connect with the audience and always delivers. 

Shari Fenn: Communications Director, Samaritan's Purse, BGEA Canada

 Chris is more than a talented writer. He’s a great collaborator. Always able to take a suggestion and if it works, go with it. He’s also a good liaison between his clients, the studio engineers and the talent. One of my favourites to work with. 

Steve Allen: Lead Audio Producer, Propeller Sound Studios

 While I have not had the ongoing pleasure of working with Christopher as much as I would like, the past, joint projects have always been both pleasant and frankly, fun. Who can say that in a time driven, results oriented industry? Christopher listens; an all too rare commodity nowadays. That ability results in targeted, creative and unique copy, addressing the client’s concerns but staying true to the brand. 

Dean McKenzie: President & Creative Director, Creative Intelligence Agency

 Christopher is both strategic and creative. He’s especially gifted in creating highly engaging and effective radio spots. 

Irit Matzov: Principal, UNcommon Sense Marketing Solutions

 Christopher has a very creative mind. He developed many print, outdoor and radio advertising campaigns for us over several years, and we were extremely pleased with all of them. He has original ideas and novel ways of looking at the same old thing. Christopher is easy to work with; he listens well, and his creative copy reflects his understanding of what you want to achieve with your advertising. Lastly, and not surprisingly, with such a creative mind, he is funny as hell, and a great guy to spend an afternoon solving the world’s problems over a cup of coffee. 

Gord Allan: Owner & President, Hair Club of Calgary

 Regardless of the size or scope of the project, Christopher takes the time to understand the business issues, the communications objectives and the audience. His ability to craft copy and content in a way that engages, informs and is always on-voice with our brand and is the reason I've called upon Chris for 'just the right words' for decades. 

Orlene King: Communications Director, Graham Construction

 Chris is the guy you get to solve copy and content challenges. His English composition is fresh, thoughtful and strategic. 

John Halliday: Art Director & Creative Director

 I hope it’s not going to continue this way, but I get turned off by most advertising and marketing I’m seeing today, primarily because it’s no longer being seen as an artform or a craft like it once was. I know there’s a selective group of individuals who know and understand the equity & revenue good creative can generate for a brand, with Christopher Heatherington being one of these craftsman, a renaissance man.” "The key is a solid strategy and surrounded by great creative that can help separate a brand from the middle of the road competitors, which is something that Christopher delivers on, concise, focused that creates stopping power and recall. 

Terry Andryo: Director Community Initiatives, Reputation & Brand (Ret.) ATB

 Reliable, quick witted and brilliant is how I would describe Christopher’s copywriting skills. I would highly recommend him to any agency, any company or any organization that is in need of good copy. 

Judit Aldama: Graphic Designer & Art Director, TRGR Advertising

 As a seasoned creative with award winning work on all platforms, he’s able to tune into the heart of the true message. From web and print, to broadcast radio and screen, working with Christopher has always been a pleasure. 

Michael Shields: President, Producer & Composer, Jet Music Inc.

 Chris is a top notch copywriter with a knack for adding interest to even the blandest topics. He does thorough research and can write for any brand, infusing personality into everything he does. I would definitely recommend Chris if you need a solid, well researched script - or for any other copywriting needs! 

Tara Pelow: President & Creative Director, SO COOL! Animation & Design Studio

 Always asks the right questions then delivers copy on point. At least one hundred commercials and numerous other projects... As a client I can attest he's saved my life many times! If you need a writer, you need Heatherington. 

Brian Carnwath: Brand / Marketing Communications Advisor & Consultant

 Chris has quickly become my go-to collaborator on all things “brand." He’s a masterful copywriter whose skills extend far beyond communication, words, and language to draw upon a brand’s essence in ways that capture attention, inspire imagination, stir emotions and elicit action. 

Rob Howard: Brand Rehabilitation Therapist, The Brand Rehabilitation & Wellness Clinic. Brandrehabhelp.com

 Chris is an absolute pleasure to work with. Beyond the veritable spring of creative ideas and copy, you get to experience a depth of keen observation and an uncanny sensitivity to the nature of how we humans tick, that is maybe innate or maybe experience-won, but definitely worth the price of admission! 

Joanne Masternak: Strategic Design and Communication Services

 Spirited. Creative. Wacky. Driven. Devoted. Passionate. As a former creative partner of Chris (can’t get used to calling him Christopher) these are just a few words that describe this insanely talented individual. 

Mark Kamachi: Creative Director, ADMaki Advertising  |  admaki.ca
  

the resume

Christopher J. Heatherington


PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY 

Skilled Senior Copywriter and Creative Director adept at overseeing writers, designers, art directors, videographers and content producers to accomplish defined brand building, communications and marketing objectives. Excellent communicator, solutions-focused problem solver and detail-oriented manager proficient in business operations and delivering on client expectations. 

  • SKILLS 
  • • Campaign development                             • Team leadership
  • • Design background & understanding      • Deadline oriented
  • • Project team coordination                          • Remote work capabilities
  • • Collaborative team member                      • MS Office & Adobe Suite
  • • Vendor negotiation                                          fluent.
  • • Exceptional writer 

EMPLOYMENT & WORK HISTORY

arC Agency Alberta - Creative Director & Copy Lead  •  2016 - 2022 •

• Working closely with Account Directors and Planners to establish campaign / project strategies and deliverables.

• Development of key messaging and campaign concepts.

• Briefing and collaborating with Art Directors and designers for development of channel-specific campaign assets.

• Copywriting and content development for all campaign assets and supporting elements.

• Sourcing, briefing and supervision of video, audio, broadcast and online content producers 

• Negotiating vendor contracts and services to ensure budget requirements are met.

• Evaluating and contributing to creative team ideas, translating into actionable next steps for campaign execution.

ZGM Collaborative Marketing, Calgary- Creative Lead • 2012 - 2015 •

• Worked closely with Creative Director and Account Directors in development of creative concepts and campaign assets for assigned client projects. 

• Collaboration with Art Directors, Designers and Digital design resources to produce channel specific messaging and campaign assets. 

• Participation with creative teams in internal concept reviews and crafting of client presentation materials and support assets. 

• Copywriting lead for specified client projects and strategically identified campaign deliverables. 

• Participation with Account Management teams in client campaign and new business presentations. 

Wonder Communications, Calgary - Creative Director  • 2008 - 2012 • 

• Developed high-impact creative projects from concept to completion, including trailers and promotional content for company campaigns.

• Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans 

• Collaborated with Agency leadership in developing and executing agency promotional and new-business development criteria 

Creative Intelligence Agency, Calgary - Creative Director  • 2006 - 2008 •

• Managed campaigns with specific focuses in order to meet customer needs and creative visions.

• Oversaw, guided and coached a team of 5 designers, writers and art directors. 

• Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans. 

• Recruited, hired and trained top candidates with eye for performance. 

• Restructured workflow strategies and processes to accomplish agency objectives.  

• Collaborated with senior agency partners in developing agency brand positioning strategy, new business development criteria and support materials. 

DDB Canada, Edmonton - Creative Director • 2002 - 2006 •

• Managed campaigns with specific focuses in order to meet customer needs and creative visions.

 • Supervised design and production staff developing innovative designs for client campaigns and projects while managing deadlines.

• Supervised, guided and coached team of 6 Art Directors and Designers.

 • Led internal reviews of creative team concepts for campaigns. Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans. 

• Collaborated with agency senior management and Associate Creative Director in establishing procedures and quality standards for department.

Young & Rubicam Canada, Calgary - Co-Creative Director • 1999 - 2002 •

.• Developed, refined and prepared concept materials, storyboards, scripts, creative examples and presentation decks for client campaign presentations. 

• Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable campaign and project executions. 

• Developed high-impact creative projects from concept to completion, including multiple media executions and retailer-support promotional content for key client campaigns.

• Negotiated vendor contracts and services to ensure budget and quality requirements were met. 

• Supervised, guided and coached creative teams of writers, designers and art directors.

• Established procedures and quality standards for department.

EDUCATION + TRAINING

Bachelor of Arts - Visual Communications • Alberta College of Art + Design | Calgary, Alberta  

Associate Degree, General Studies -Design And Visual Communications • University of Alberta | Edmonton, Alberta

Contact

Stuck for words? Let's talk.

  • Calgary, AB, Canada

We all now work in a world without borders. My home is Canada but I work and collaborate with clients, cohorts, creators and communications agencies wherever they are. Whether it is for a project, a specified contract, augmenting an internal team or just pinch-hitting when your copywriter goes MIA.