Dave Thornhill

I am a student of humanity. I believe that there is always a chance to be completely original and that not every idea has already been done. You could say I’m a dreamer. I once dreamed of becoming an architect. So I went to college and studied architecture. Then I took a typography class and a professor told me I should become a designer. I then began to dream of being an art director and a creative director. So I did.

My career has taken me to cool little cities like Lincoln, NE where I worked at Bailey Lauerman. Work created there catapulted my career and defined my love for ideas. I was able to create award-winning work for Nebraska Baseball, Tobacco Free Hall County and Pepsi. I have spent the majority of my career in Kansas City working at Bernstein-Rein and Barkley.

With a steady diet of consumer retail and casual dining experience, I also had the opportunity to work with the March of Dimes. I led our creative team to a rebrand and repositioning of the March of Dimes that made the organization relevant again. Cause marketing made me realize the gift that I have been given can be utilized to give back. To help people. And that has been the greatest gift of all.

My work has been recognized in Communication Arts, Obie, New York Festivals, Print, National Addy and Graphis Advertising and Design. Graphis noted me as one of the Top 10 Art Directors of the last ten years. Additional work has been featured in AdWeek, Ad Age, AdCritic and at the William Eisner Museum of Advertising.

I am the father of a sweet little girl named Elsa and a glowing little boy named Spencer. They inspire me and keep me young. And tired. Their lovely mother, and wife of mine, Theresa, is our rock. She keeps all of us sane so we can continue to be young, inspired and creative. She allows me to dream.