GLOBAL CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
MARKS NYC
NEW YORK NY
With a background ranging from technology to brand design, media and entertainment to consumer goods, Kurt is a multi-disciplinary creative leader who guides teams in 11 countries as they develop powerful brand experiences for clients such as Lego, Pepsi, Gerber, Quaker, Amazon, Diageo, Kraft and Target. Before joining Marks, Kurt was Executive Creative Director at Glow, a global creative agency working across tech, healthcare, media and entertainment. He led award-winning campaigns for global entertainment brands Apple TV+ as a creative lead for Ted Lasso, Spotify, NBA, YouTube, HBO and Showtime Networks, relaunching ‘Dexter.’ Prior to that, he served as Creative Director for New York City agencies — FutureBrand, Tilden, and CBX — where clients included Sonos, Mastercard, Pfizer, Google, Diageo, Coca-Cola, Kimberley Clark, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s. His creative work has been honored with numerous awards, including multiple Effie’s, Clio’s, and a Cannes Gold Lion for Spotify’s “Alone With Me” campaign featuring the Weeknd. Kurt holds a BA in Design and English from Mount St. Joseph University and attended film school at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?
I have always been optimistic. That optimism has proven itself out that when companies, governments, organizations and causes place a priority on how they communicate visually and verbally they have a greater impact and success. What I am more excited about is the reemergence of the classic multidisciplinary designer in the mold of Vignelli, Eames, Glaser, Scher and Walsh, and how those new voices are shaping culture — not just commerce.
Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?
The circumstances have certainly sharpened my focus on what things are important to me, my family and my work. I have found new ways to connect creatively and it had allowed me to work with creatives that I may never have even tried to work with before. But it has also highlighted how much I miss being in the room with other creative people. Nothing will ever replace that dynamic.
