Hi, I’m Maki. I’m a Writer and Creative Director who loves building ideas and solutions for great brands with talented people.

I was born and raised in the Good Land of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After college, I was hellbent on becoming a Copywriter at Chiat\Day and moved to Venice without a job or a portfolio. After a few months, I got hired to answer phones right in the middle of one of Chiat’s legendary runs. The return of Apple + Think Different. Nissan’s Dogs Love Trucks. The Taco Bell Chihuahua. And of course, Lee Clow and his band of Disciples. While putting my book together, I helped on new biz, was Creative Assistant to all the CD’s, and did anything that put me close to the work. Eventually, one of those Creative Directors gave me a shot on a pitch. We won, I got promoted, and started getting mentored by the same people I’d been supporting. That experience shaped how I work to this day.

After meeting my Texas-born wife, we made the still-slightly-weird move to Austin, where I found my home at GSD&M. Over the years, I pitched and won new business, got to drive John Deere tractors and BMW M5’s, and sell work at the Pentagon. And I got to mentor talent the same way others once invested in me.

My efforts have netted metal from Cannes, One Show, CA, D&AD, The Effies, Jay Chiat Awards, National Addys, and The Guinness Book of World Records.

I got into this business to make great work. I’ve stayed because of the people I get to make it with.

Let’s connect and see what we can build together.