Samantha (Sam) Brown

Creative Director // Brand builder // Most creative problems are clarity problems

San Francisco, California, United States

About

Strong creative isn’t the result of one great idea. It comes from clear thinking, high standards, and teams set up to do their best work. I build the conditions for that kind of work. As a creative leader, I focus on clarity, consistency, and craft in complex environments. I bring 20+ years of experience turning ambiguity into direction.

Experience

  • Director, Brand Creative at Affirm, Inc.
    Mar 2020 - Jun 2026 · 6 yrs 4 mos

    • Built and lead the Brand Creative team, responsible for how the brand shows up across marketing and owned channels • Brought structure and clarity to a fragmented creative process, improving consistency and quality across a high volume of work • Consolidated six external agencies into a single in-house team, saving $6M annually while maintaining full campaign output • Defined and reinforced creative standards to raise the bar in a fast-moving, cross-functional environment • Turn unclear briefs into focused direction teams can actually execute • Led the development and rollout of Affirm’s brand refresh, establishing a clearer and more consistent brand system

  • DDB ()
    • Global Creative Director
      Apr 2019 - Dec 2019 · 9 mos

    • Creative Director
      Jun 2016 - Mar 2019 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    • Associate Creative Director
      Nov 2013 - Jun 2016 · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • Associate Creative Director at Organic
    Jun 2011 - Nov 2013 · 2 yrs 6 mos

  • Freelance at DOJO, BBDO West, Cutwater, Organic, McCann SF
    Mar 2010 - May 2011 · 1 yr 3 mos

  • Senior Art Director at Saatchi & Saatchi
    Nov 2005 - Sep 2009 · 3 yrs 11 mos