Calvin spent close to two decades working for some of the largest advertising agencies in the world creating campaigns for globally-recognized brands. He is a Creative Director with a strong Graphic Design and production background. At McCann, he worked on award-winning campaigns for Cigna, Nikon, American Airlines, and the U.S. Army. He also spent six years at McGarryBowen working on Verizon Wireless, Reebok, and Burger King. As a freelancer he worked on brands such as Jameson, Vanguard, Allstate, JBL, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, Centrum, Earth’s Best and awareness campaigns for COVID-19. Alongside freelancing, Calvin wanted to bring all he learned in corporate advertising back to his community so in 2016 he started two companies, Crown Jewel Beverage a Caribbean inspired beverage company and Paper Plus Rocket a graphic design studio. At its height, Crown Jewel could be found on the shelves of 16 supermarkets and Amazon Fresh. Paper Plus Rocket has lead creative for brands such as Disney’s Onyx Collective, Blum Consulting Partners, CDPL and Miss Jessies to name a few. Currently Calvin is a Creative Director at Episode Four leading award-winning campaigns for Invesco, Schwab and Goldman Sachs.

Calvin is an honorably discharged Navy veteran who served as an electrician on amphibious assault ship USS Ashland from 1996 to 2000. In 1998 Calvin served in special operations in Kuwait and the Gulf region. He is Guyanese born and have always had a love for art and creativity. He received his B.A. in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute.

Bio

My advertising career started in early 2007 in the production studio at McgarryBowen New York. Back then, knowing Quark Express got you in the door and being nice with an x-Acto knife meant you knew how to make things. Pushing pixels was my thing and I’m still pretty good at it. I eventually impressed enough creatives and executives that advertising legend Warren Eakins gave me my first job as Art Director working for him on the Verizon Wireless account. Through his mentorship, I also worked on Reebok, Disney and Burger King at McGarryBowen.

Later my mentor Vann Graves propped the door open for me at McCann New York. In 2013 I joined his team and successfully lead campaigns for American Airlines, Army, Nikon and Cigna Health. In 2016 I left full-time advertising to spend more time with my family . During that time I was able to start a Caribbean inspired beverage company called Crown Jewel Beverage. At its height, Crown Jewel could be found on the shelves of 16 supermarkets and Amazon Fresh. As a freelancer, I was able to work on Jameson, Vanguard, Allstate, JBL, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, Centrum, Earth’s Best and awareness campaigns for COVID-19. In 2016 I started a design studio called Paper Plus Rocket to bring all I learned in advertising to small businesses in my community. Paper Plus Rocket has lead creative for brands such as Disney’s Onyx Collective, Blum Consulting Partners, CDPL and Miss Jessies to name a few. Currently I am a Creative Director at Episode Four leading award winning campaigns for Invesco, Schwab and Goldman Sachs.

A few things you should know about me, I am a trained Graphic Designer with a strong background in production and passion for brand identity & storytelling. What motivates me are projects that have lasting impact and solves everyday problems (I’ve sold enough products). This is where I would like to focus the rest of my creative career.

Lastly, and quite honestly my biggest joy and equally creative challenge is my family. I am fortunate to be partnered with an extremely talented woman, Geronna. Father & more accurately assistants to our 2 equally talented boys Calvin Jr & Kenyatta. I am Caribbean born & bread in Guyana (nestled between Venezuela & Suriname) in South America. I love my Soca, Reggae music and chicken curry (NOT curry chicken). Surviving 4 years in the US Navy has taught me the importance of discipline & never to fear hard work. I bring all facets of who I am to every creative challenge both personally and professionally.

PS: None of this was written nor edited by Ai. I still believe in authentic human expression and creativity.