James Halada

I’m a dynamic, ego-free Creative Director/Copywriter with a passion for building one-of-a-kind brands, then bringing them vibrantly to life via copy and creative executions that indelibly connect with their target audiences and exceed business goals. My background includes extensive experience — spanning agency and in-house roles — with brand DNA/voice development and implementation, cross-channel storytelling and conceptual ideation. I’m adept at managing and mentoring writers and strategists, collaborating with internal and external partners, using AI to scale creative quality and guiding projects ranging from quick-turn branding work for scrappy start-ups to million-dollar campaigns for global category leaders.

I bring energy, enthusiasm and humor, along with flexibility and count-on-it reliability, to the workplace.

Creative Director, Copy at Tether (2012 – 2025)

• Led client/studio copywriting efforts, from naming and brand DNA/voice creation to campaign concepting and channel-spanning messaging work, as well as AI and SEO efforts.
• Oversaw projects ranging from brand development to high-profile campaigns for a variety of cross-category leaders, including Amazon, Under Armour, Sparkling Ice, Modern Dose and DIME Beauty, among others.
• Managed/coached a four-person writing team and two-person strategy team while overseeing role-spanning project teams of up to six people; vetted and oversaw freelance writers.
• Drove new business efforts, in partnership with key team members, from intake calls and proposal development to building client relationships.
• Elevated Tether’s creative profile by authoring thought-leadership pieces and guest lecturing for the Digital Marketing Program at University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.

Interactive Creative Director, Copy at Memory Lane / Classmates (2010 – 2011)

• Concepted and shaped the direction of everything from campaigns to site creative, including the launch of a new brand; led client reviews.
• Evolved the brand voice to better engage new and existing customers, ensuring consistency of tone and messaging throughout all communications.
• Managed/coached an in-house copy team of three; oversaw freelance writers.
• Partnered with the Editorial Director and Social Media Manager to effectively package and promote content, including fledgling online retail efforts.
• Stayed on top of in-house testing results, as well as industry best practices, to increase open rates, click-throughs and conversions.

Head of Copy at Getty Images (2007 – 2010)

• Concepted and shaped the direction of everything from campaigns to site creative; regularly led client presentations.
• Wrote and edited copy ranging from web pages and print ads to emails and white papers, driving audience engagement and elevating brand profiles.
• Created and maintained multiple brand voices, ensuring consistency of tone and messaging across all communications.
• Managed/coached an in-house team of two copywriters and two editors; oversaw freelance writers and editors.
• Collaborated with and offered feedback on work created by local, national and global agencies.
• Worked closely with internal clients around the world as well as UX and Web Marketing teams to ensure optimal customer experience and site performance.

Senior Copywriter at Cascade Designs, Inc.

Copywriter at MOPOP / Experience Music Project

Copywriting courses – School of Visual Concepts

Bachelor of Arts in English – University of Oregon