Dana the Giant

Self-described multidisciplinary creative with a penchant for storytelling, an eye for detail, and a love for the arts, Dana is a writer and creative director working professionally in the field of advertising. Journal and DSLR often in-hand, he is constantly seeking inspiration from the world around him. He brings 25+ years of creative communication experience in general and multicultural markets, always seeking to make a deep connection, move product, shift perceptions, affect hearts, and influence culture.

Dana began his career as a studio intern in Boston at Arnold, getting quickly immersed in and cutting his teeth on brands like McDonalds, The Hartford, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Titleist. He initially chose art direction as his path and after a few short years officially switched disciplines to writing, joining the Volkswagen team, where he was humbled to work on the launch of the New Beetle, the redesigned Jetta, the redesigned Passat, and the first ever Volkswagen SUV, the Touareg.

In 2003, he relocated to New York, where he worked at BBH on brands including Levi’s, Axe body spray, and ING Direct bank, before freelancing at all of the agencies he’d once only dreamed of.

He landed a CD role at multicultural agency Sanders\Wingo, running a portion of the State Farm business and an affiliated weight loss initiative called the 50 Million Pound Challenge, and was instrumental in winning the Chevy business.

Dana’s work has been recognized by the One Show, the Andys, the Kelly Awards, the Obies, the Effys, New York Festivals, Communication Arts, Lurzer’s Archive, and at Cannes. He has worked extensively in the automotive category, touching brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Ford and Lincoln, and has stretched far beyond that into categories including healthcare, finance, fashion, entertainment, apparel, sports, spirits, and travel and tourism.

On the personal side, Dana has self-published a children’s book series and in February 2012, he founded and ran TastySpace gallery and exhibition space in Las Vegas. In 2015, he relocated to Houston to be closer to family and now, most recently in 2022, has pulled up stakes and landed in Kansas City, where he is heading up several pieces of business at BarkleyOKRP.

Squirrel climbing on a tree trunk
Man lying on a stone bench in a park with agave plants in the background.
Wooden kitchen shelf holding jars of coffee beans and white ceramic mugs.
A yellow truck driving on a road with a load secured on top under a cloudy sky.
Child riding a bike on a wavy track near the ocean.
Graffiti "Love is Love" on a closed storefront gate with a heart at the end.
An exterior view of a brick apartment building with multiple fire escapes. A small rainbow flag is attached to one of the fire escape railings. Several windows have air conditioning units installed.
A black and white image of a smiling child and an adult man touching foreheads affectionately.
Neon sign on a brick building displaying "Coffee Shop Bar" in red lights.
The Statue of Liberty against a blue sky with clouds.
Black and white photo of a suspension bridge tower with cables, viewed from below, against the sky.
Close-up of a weathered outdoor faucet with a metal handle and threaded spout, mounted on a wooden surface.
Tea set with white teapots and cups on a tray, placed on a cloth near a window with plants in the background.
Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan, featuring traditional Ryukyu architectural style with ornate red and gold detailing, curved rooftops, and a spacious courtyard with a striped tile pattern.
Wooden table with rows of black ceramic cups, a plate of wrapped treats, and stacks of white plastic cups.
Person in a beige jacket and cap bowing with hands clasped.
Rows of shoes organized on a wooden shoe rack, including sneakers, loafers, and sandals.
Person wearing orange shirt and safety gloves stands in front of a pottery kiln holding a metal rod.
Fresh fish on ice in a market display
Man working in a small Japanese food stall, surrounded by kitchen equipment and menu signs with prices in yen.
A weathered wooden boat named "Balthasar," surrounded by leafless tree branches. The boat's interior is visible and appears aged.
Close-up of a vintage red bicycle rear rack with a license plate and reflector, on a brick pavement.
Close-up of two bicycle tail lights with mudguards, one silver with "SMART" branding, on a stone pavement.
Man with curly hair in denim jacket in front of graffiti wall.
Front view of a classic red Volvo car with chrome grille and round headlights, parked on a city street with buildings in the background.
Five empty beach chairs lined up on a grassy hill against a blue sky.
Vintage car parked on a European street with buildings and other vehicles in the background.
Blurry Eiffel Tower and black metal chain in foreground.
Two Icelandic horses standing face to face in a barren landscape with more horses grazing in the background.
Vintage lantern in a grassy field with yellow flowers
Two metal milk cans on a grassy field with a blurred background.
Icelandic flag on a flagpole with a cloudy sky and rocky landscape.
Geothermal steam vents in a mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.
Red vintage bicycle parked against a wall outdoors.
Black and white image of a cheese shop with "La Fromagerie" signage on a busy street, featuring a display of various cheeses, awning, and a person walking past.
A couple embracing and kissing on a street, with a bus in the background. The woman is wearing a red scarf.
A white barn with a red roof and doors, set against a cloudy sky and grassy field.
Colorful clothespins on a metal line with a blurred blue background.
Stacked orange life rafts with "CHARGER" and oar on top.