Coal Creative Names First Chief Creative Officer

Samuel O’Connell will serve as Coal Creative’s first chief creative officer, the agency announced today.

The veteran storyteller, one of the full-service marketing agency’s first employees, will now set and advance the company’s creative agenda. That means he ensures every project meets an exceptional standard of excellence, and that the team continues to push the limits of creative innovation.

“As a creative agency, we needed someone in this role to bring together all of our departments under one cohesive creative vision,” Coal Creative Chief Executive Officer Holly K. Pilcavage said. “Sam understands where the industry is headed and knows how to turn brilliant concepts into campaigns that work.”

O’Connell, 30, whose most recent title was creative director, worked to build out Coal Creative’s award-winning video production team. His promotion comes amid stunning grow that the agency. With 13 full-time employees, expanding operations and more complex assignments, O’Connell will synchronize teams behind video, design and web projects to ensure continuity and effectiveness.

He started his career at age 15 designing ads for a local magazine and has produced several short and feature-length films, including the award-winning “blackhole.”