Dontblamejames? It’s a long story about an Instagram handle custody battle. Ask me about it sometime ;)
Hello!
I’m James Phillips. I live in NYC. I love 80s music, horror movies and making ideas that not only sell brands, but make them famous.
I am a Global Executive Creative Director at VML and WPP S-38 Creative Commerce Lead (S.C. Johnson). I'm an award-winning creative leader working in advertising and commerce since 2005. I have experience across many brands and categories with a focus on CPG and have lead agency creative teams locally, nationally and globally. I’ve worked across some of the biggest holding companies and brand names including P&G, General Mills, Unilever, ABInBev, Mars-Wrigley, Pepsico, and Colgate-Palmolive.
My work has received many accolades through the years including Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, D&AD, Big Campaign, The Drum Awards, the North American Effies and Reggies plus many others.
I’m also a current LGBTQ+ ERG leader and was Co-Chair in VML North America from 2021-2023. I also teach on occasion as an adjunct professor in the Marketing & Advertising Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
AWARDS
2025 Cannes Lions GRAND PRIX, Creative Commerce, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 Cannes Lions GOLD, Direct, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 Cannes Lions SILVER, DIRECT, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 Cannes Lions SILVER, MEDIA, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 Cannes Lions BRONZE, DIRECT, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 Cannes Lions BRONZE, B2B, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 Cannes Lions x3 SHORTLISTS, Creative Commerce and Brand Experience, Ziploc Preserved Promos
2025 BRONZE Effie, Glade Dupe Detector, Commerce
2025 FINALIST Effie, Raid Shoe Saver, Social
2025 SILVER Clio Awards, Nature Valley Royalties for Nature
2025 x2 BRONZE Clio Awards, Nature Valley Royalties for Nature
2024 Cannes Lions SILVER: Lucky’s Charmology, Brand Activation Social Live Engagement
2024 D&AD Shortlist, Lucky’s Charmology
2024 BRONZE Clio Awards, Lucky’s Charmology, Social Media Multi-Platform
2024 BRONZE Clio Awards Lucky’s Charmology, Direct, Experience Activation
2024 GOLD ANA Reggie, Lucky’s Charmology, Digtial, Social
2024 BRONZE ANA Reggie, Lucky’s Charmology, Small Budget
2024 SILVER ANA Reggie, General Mills Monster’s Cereal Creep to a New Beat, XR and Extended Reality
2023 Big Campaign Awards: Winner, General Mills Press Play for Nature
2023 P2Pi Omnishopper Awards: Winner, General Mills Box Tops for Education: Class of Groundbreakers, Retail D2C
2023 Amazon Ads Partner Awards: Winner, General Mills Press Play for Nature, Creative Brand Building
2023 BRONZE Effie Award for Nature Valley: Adventure Quarters in Single Retailer Activation, Grocery
2022 P2Pi Omnishopper WINNER: Nature Valley: Adventure Quarters in Digital Mobile Activation
2022 P2Pi Omnishopper WINNER: Box Tops for Education Walmart Integrated P2P & Social Media
2022 P2Pi Omnishopper WINNER: Old El Paso & TAKIS: Stand Up to the Fuego Integrated P2P
2020 FINALIST Effie for Suave Natural Hair and Beauty Bag Programs – Value Channel Retailer
2019 GOLD Effie for Walmart AXE Start His Journey – Single Retailer
2019 GRAND Effie Finalist for Walmart AXE Start His Journey – Single Retailer
2017 BRONZE Effie Award for Walgreens Give H20PE – Seasonal Event
2017 FINALIST Effie for Men’s Grooming National Program – Multi-Retailer Program
2017 FINALIST Effie for Unilever Dry Spray 2H – Multi-Retailer Program
2016 GOLD Effie Award for CVS Love Your Skin – Shopper Experience/Single Retailer
2016 GRAND Effie Finalist for CVS Love Your Skin – Shopper Experience/Single Retailer
2016 SILVER Effie Award for Unilever Dry Sprays – Multi-Retailer Program