About me.

Yeah that’s me, Markus Machado, wishing I was this “cooler self”, a slimmer, cooler me. With over 20 years of experience as a creative in marketing and advertising, I've had the pleasure of doing inspirational work with many creative teams, where strategic thinking and collaboration flourished. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to help shape brand identities and lead impactful campaigns for a diverse range of clients, consistently exceeding expectations and delivering tangible results.


At FMG Advertising, I focused on art direction and print design, contributing to the success of major campaigns. Similarly, my tenure at The Richards Group saw me playing a crucial role in elevating client branding and messaging online as well as in television. Each experience, including my time at RD/FOX Advertising and Lewis & Partners Advertising, has sharpened my skills in concept development, art direction, and design.


Freelancing as a Creative Director, Art Director, and Writer, I collaborated with and worked for a host of esteemed agencies and notable clients such as Saatchi & Saatchi and Honda. 



With a B.A. in Art & Graphic Design from the California College of Arts and Crafts and proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, I am committed to crafting design solutions that resonate with client objectives and brand essence. I look forward to the opportunity to bring my passion, creativity, and expertise to your work.

 

MORE THAN THE SUM
OF MY PARTS

Some work.

SOME MORE WORK

Case study.

St andrew jewelers

  • In 2014, St. Andrew Jewelers faced a brand positioning problem: they weren’t top-of-mind for Sun Valley Mall jewelry buyers and were viewed as a discount option, ranking fourth in sales among four jewelers. New owner Brian Berglund recognized the increasing competition and realized the need for a brand overhaul to reflect his vision.


My solution was a complete brand transformation, which included redesigning their logo. With a "royal crest," we reinforced the rebranding statement, aiming to shift from a discount image to a locally recognized upscale brand. I created a classic yet vibrant brand identity, emphasizing old-world values and the significance of love in everyday life. By repositioning the brand with the statement "Love Conquers All," St. Andrew Jewelers went from fourth to first in sales.


The outcome was remarkable: a nearly 270% increase in business within two years, accompanied by a highly successful television and online campaign with a record-breaking viewership retention rate of over 72%. Most importantly, the reinvented brand left customers feeling happy and proud.

THINGS I DO

Branding & Strategy

 Brand must not be a reflection of  just you, but your audience and your relationship with them. It’s the culture you develop together. 

Using targeted creative and resonant messaging I can help you effectively communicate  your message, and achieve your objectives.

Art Dir. & Graphics

 From initial concept to finished form—advertising, marketing, television, or  Internet video I help develop and unify the vision of your artistic production.

Creating the visual narrative and driving your marketing efforts forward that has been the bullwork of my career.

Content & Copywriting

 Good copywriting provokes thought and ultimately elicits  response that results in most cases the purchase of a product or service. 


Content is usually more subtle— longer term engagements with the reader,  toward developing a following.  Lucky for you I do both.

Illustration & Cartoons

Good illustration can sometimes do more than video or even motion graphics. It can evoke feelings and expressions that often cannot be achieved by any other means. 

Like language,  viewers takes with them something uniquely personal. It doesn’t have to be glitzy, just strike a chord.