I BUILD CREATIVE THAT
MAKES YOUR COMPANY
IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.
I BUILD CREATIVE THAT
MAKES YOUR COMPANY
IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.
I BUILD CREATIVE THAT
MAKES YOUR COMPANY
IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.
Whether you're post-funding, pivoting, or preparing for a growth moment, I bring experienced creative direction exactly when it matters.
What I Believe
I believe creative is your competitive advantage. So I always do my homework first: learning the category, understanding your audience, and figuring out what actually motivates them to act. What you get is experienced creative leadership that meets you where you are and moves you toward where you want to go.
01
What I Believe
01
I believe creative is your competitive advantage. So I always do my homework first: learning the category, understanding your audience, and figuring out what actually motivates them to act. What you get is experienced creative leadership that meets you where you are and moves you toward where you want to go.
Some of the brands I’ve collaborated with
Projects
(8)
Case studies that walk through my approach and impact.
Projects
(8)
Case studies that walk through my approach and impact.
View
Web
Brand
SEO/AIO
CRM
Strategy
In progress
The Hudson Bend
The Hudson Bend
View
Brand
In progress
The Hudson Bend
The Hudson Bend
Web
Brand
SEO/AIO
CRM
Strategy
View
Web
Brand
Strategy
5+ years (ongoing)
Ravelco
Ravelco
View
Brand
5+ years (ongoing)
Ravelco
Ravelco
Web
Brand
Strategy
View
Creative Direction
Brand
Web
Design System
5 weeks
Fleak.ai
Fleak.ai
View
Brand
5 weeks
Fleak.ai
Fleak.ai
Creative Direction
Brand
Web
Design System
View
Web
Strategy
UX
Brand
8 weeks
Axle Health
Axle Health
View
Brand
8 weeks
Axle Health
Axle Health
Web
Strategy
UX
Brand
View
Web
SEO /AIO
Brand
Strategy
Ongoing
JATO Aviation
JATO Aviation
View
Brand
Ongoing
JATO Aviation
JATO Aviation
Web
SEO /AIO
Brand
Strategy
View
Strategy
Website CMS
SEO/AIO
1 month
Viking Trader
Viking Trader
View
Brand
1 month
Viking Trader
Viking Trader
Strategy
Website CMS
SEO/AIO
View
Video
Production
Fintech
2 weeks
Homegrown × Square
Homegrown × Square
View
Brand
2 weeks
Homegrown × Square
Homegrown × Square
Video
Production
Fintech
View
Web
Video
Strategy
6 Months
JetBlue Ventures
JetBlue Ventures
View
Brand
6 Months
JetBlue Ventures
JetBlue Ventures
Web
Video
Strategy
Browse my complete portfolio
Browse my complete portfolio
Services
(5)
Strategy, branding, marketing, web development, and performance improvement for ambitious teams.
Services
(5)
Strategy, branding, marketing, web development, and performance improvement for ambitious teams.
01
CREATIVE STRATEGY & DIRECTION
Research & Briefing
Campaign Concepting
Creative Oversight
Every project starts with research. I study what’s actually working in your category right now, then build a creative brief that drives everything from brand voice to final execution. From strategy through launch, the creative direction stays consistent and intentional.
02
BRANDING
Brand Positioning
Messaging & Voice
Identity Direction
Brand is more than a logo. I help define how a company sounds, feels, and positions itself in the market. The deliverable isn’t a style guide. It’s a brand that people recognize and remember.
03
MARKETING
Email & CRM
Search & AIO
Social & Paid Media
Creative only works if it reaches the right people. I deploy across the full stack: email and CRM flows, social media, Meta, Google, SEO, and AIO optimization so your brand shows up wherever your audience is looking, including AI-generated search results.
04
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Site Architecture
SEO & Schema
Channel Integration
A website is the center of your digital presence, not the end of it. I build sites that are fast, on-brand, and connected to every other channel: discovery, conversion, and retention all working together from day one.
05
GROWTH STRATEGY
Digital Audit
Analytics Review
Action Roadmap
Sometimes the question isn’t “what do we build?” but “is what we have actually working?” I audit existing digital programs, identify what’s underperforming and why, and deliver a clear plan for what to fix first. This is often where new engagements begin.
01
CREATIVE STRATEGY & DIRECTION
Research & Briefing
Campaign Concepting
Creative Oversight
Every project starts with research. I study what’s actually working in your category right now, then build a creative brief that drives everything from brand voice to final execution. From strategy through launch, the creative direction stays consistent and intentional.
02
BRANDING
Brand Positioning
Messaging & Voice
Identity Direction
Brand is more than a logo. I help define how a company sounds, feels, and positions itself in the market. The deliverable isn’t a style guide. It’s a brand that people recognize and remember.
03
MARKETING
Email & CRM
Search & AIO
Social & Paid Media
Creative only works if it reaches the right people. I deploy across the full stack: email and CRM flows, social media, Meta, Google, SEO, and AIO optimization so your brand shows up wherever your audience is looking, including AI-generated search results.
04
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Site Architecture
SEO & Schema
Channel Integration
A website is the center of your digital presence, not the end of it. I build sites that are fast, on-brand, and connected to every other channel: discovery, conversion, and retention all working together from day one.
05
GROWTH STRATEGY
Digital Audit
Analytics Review
Action Roadmap
Sometimes the question isn’t “what do we build?” but “is what we have actually working?” I audit existing digital programs, identify what’s underperforming and why, and deliver a clear plan for what to fix first. This is often where new engagements begin.
If you don’t find exactly the service you need, I can tailor one for you.
HOW I GET FROM BRIEF TO LAUNCH.
HOW I GET FROM BRIEF TO LAUNCH.
HOW I GET FROM BRIEF TO LAUNCH.
Senior creative leadership, accelerated by AI.
Process:
4 steps
Duration:
~ 1 month
Discover
Research, competitive landscape, audience, and what’s actually working right now in your category. AI tools accelerate the research phase, but the strategic read comes from experience.
25%
Define
Brand voice, creative brief, messaging hierarchy, and channel strategy. This is where most projects either get sharp or stay blurry. I stay here until it’s clear.
50%
Build
Design, web development, content, and production. AI tools handle the heavy lifting on iteration and output, freeing up time for the decisions that matter: what’s right, what’s off, what ships.
75%
Launch
Deployment, tracking, and optimization. Not just going live but making sure everything is measurable from day one and set up to improve over time.
100%
My Approach
Creative leadership in an AI age means knowing which tools to use and exactly when to stop. I use AI to accelerate research, speed up iteration, and sharpen the brief. But the judgment call, whether the work is actually good, whether it will move your audience, is not something a tool makes. I’ve spent my career developing that eye. Knowing what resonates, what falls flat, and how to close the gap. That’s what you get.
02
My Approach
02
Creative leadership in an AI age means knowing which tools to use and exactly when to stop. I use AI to accelerate research, speed up iteration, and sharpen the brief. But the judgment call, whether the work is actually good, whether it will move your audience, is not something a tool makes. I’ve spent my career developing that eye. Knowing what resonates, what falls flat, and how to close the gap. That’s what you get.
Jim Mercado
Executive Creative Director
Boston Logan. On location for a JetBlue cloud-based fueling measurement system investment partner. The aircraft is an Airbus A321 getting ready to depart for Los Angeles.
3+
3+
Year avg. client partnerships
100%
100%
Experienced-level, every project
48 HRS
48 HRS
From discovery call to proposal
Testimonials
What clients say
Testimonials
What clients say
Testimonials
What clients say
1/6
"Jim is a valuable partner known for his commitment to high-quality and timely delivery. He excels across print, digital, events, and video, making him adept at cross-channel strategy. Working with Jim is fun, fast, and gives me the confidence I need to serve clients. Highly recommend."
Tim Hillison
CMO/VP, EntryPoint1 Strategist
2/6
"If you are after exceptional creative work to move your business forward, look no further. I've had the pleasure of working with Jim at three different companies over my B2B marketing career. He's not just the most creative person I know, but also a trusted colleague and source of wisdom."
Carl Landers
VP Marketing
3/6
"I had the pleasure of collaborating with Jim on various marketing initiatives and wholeheartedly recommend him. As our Agency Partner and Creative Director, Jim showcased exceptional creative problem-solving, leading successful initiatives in website development, tradeshow support, and overall marketing."
Rashmi Vittal
CMO | GTM Advisor
5/6
“A great asset to our continued success in the market. Creative, well thought through, detail-oriented, great coaching, and professionalism. Amazingly talented.”
Dale Fuller
CEO, McAfee
6/6
“Jim and team ALWAYS deliver. They did so well I brought them along to my next gig. One of the best creative teams you’ll ever work with, and they get all of the business and political issues, too.”
David Rand
CMO, Foxit Software
1/6
"Jim is a valuable partner known for his commitment to high-quality and timely delivery. He excels across print, digital, events, and video, making him adept at cross-channel strategy. Working with Jim is fun, fast, and gives me the confidence I need to serve clients. Highly recommend."
Tim Hillison
CMO/VP, EntryPoint1 Strategist
2/6
"If you are after exceptional creative work to move your business forward, look no further. I've had the pleasure of working with Jim at three different companies over my B2B marketing career. He's not just the most creative person I know, but also a trusted colleague and source of wisdom."
Carl Landers
VP Marketing
3/6
"I had the pleasure of collaborating with Jim on various marketing initiatives and wholeheartedly recommend him. As our Agency Partner and Creative Director, Jim showcased exceptional creative problem-solving, leading successful initiatives in website development, tradeshow support, and overall marketing."
Rashmi Vittal
CMO | GTM Advisor
5/6
“A great asset to our continued success in the market. Creative, well thought through, detail-oriented, great coaching, and professionalism. Amazingly talented.”
Dale Fuller
CEO, McAfee
6/6
“Jim and team ALWAYS deliver. They did so well I brought them along to my next gig. One of the best creative teams you’ll ever work with, and they get all of the business and political issues, too.”
David Rand
CMO, Foxit Software
1/6
"Jim is a valuable partner known for his commitment to high-quality and timely delivery. He excels across print, digital, events, and video, making him adept at cross-channel strategy. Working with Jim is fun, fast, and gives me the confidence I need to serve clients. Highly recommend."
Tim Hillison
CMO/VP, EntryPoint1 Strategist
2/6
"If you are after exceptional creative work to move your business forward, look no further. I've had the pleasure of working with Jim at three different companies over my B2B marketing career. He's not just the most creative person I know, but also a trusted colleague and source of wisdom."
Carl Landers
VP Marketing
3/6
"I had the pleasure of collaborating with Jim on various marketing initiatives and wholeheartedly recommend him. As our Agency Partner and Creative Director, Jim showcased exceptional creative problem-solving, leading successful initiatives in website development, tradeshow support, and overall marketing."
Rashmi Vittal
CMO | GTM Advisor
5/6
“A great asset to our continued success in the market. Creative, well thought through, detail-oriented, great coaching, and professionalism. Amazingly talented.”
Dale Fuller
CEO, McAfee
6/6
“Jim and team ALWAYS deliver. They did so well I brought them along to my next gig. One of the best creative teams you’ll ever work with, and they get all of the business and political issues, too.”
David Rand
CMO, Foxit Software
Set Up a Call
Tell me what you're building
Work with a team that brings clarity, care, and creativity to every project.
Set Up a Call
Tell me what you're building
Work with a team that brings clarity, care, and creativity to every project.
Set Up a Call
Tell me what you're building
Work with a team that brings clarity, care, and creativity to every project.