Aileen Calderon
Maplewood, NJ
646-265-0432
aileen.martin@gmail.com
Creative Executive | Strategic Leader | Nice Person
Creative leader with 15+ years experience leading in-house and agency creative teams. Expertise in performance creative, cross-functional collaboration, and brand development. Team leader, writer and strategic thinker who believes being nice is the only non-negotiable.
Freelance Creative
Jan 2025 - Present
Babbel / Executive Creative Director
Jan 2020 – Jan 2025, New York, NY
Built and led first-ever in-house creative department, managing a team of 11 across design, copy, video, and production.
Helped grow U.S. revenue from $30MM to $150MM in four years.
Partnered with marketing, product, and content leadership to achieve brand and performance goals.
Led a global rebrand and rollout across all customer touchpoints, increasing aided brand awareness to 76%.
POSSIBLE (Wunderman Thompson) / Group Creative Director
Apr 2019 – May 2020, New York, NY
Helped structure and lead a 60-person integrated team for Volkswagen, the agency’s largest account.
Collaborated with partner agencies and internal departments to ensure creative alignment and delivery.
Led a US rebrand and photoshoot for VW’s digital presence, part of a $1B global rebrand.
Ran the creative portion of a Weight Watcher’s pitch (and won) during Covid lockdown.
StrawberryFrog / Creative Director
Apr 2018 – May 2019, New York, NY
Managed creative teams and led strategic brand development for clients including SunTrust Bank, Lennox Air, and LifeBridge Health.
R/GA / Creative Director
Sep 2016 – Oct 2017, New York, NY
Oversaw all digital and social media work for Mercedes-Benz.
Built and led an 8-person creative team in collaboration with strategy, production, and account partners.
360i / Group Creative Director
Nov 2015 – May 2016, New York, NY
Led creative for five major accounts, managing a team of 14 creatives.
Set the tone and direction for social and digital presence.
Clients: Bose, Absolut, Kahlua, Malibu Rum, Toyota
KBS (Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners)
Jun 2007 – Nov 2015, New York, NY
Creative Director (2012–2015), Associate Creative Director (2010–2012), Senior Copywriter (2007–2010)
Oversaw a 10-person team on U.S. and global BMW campaigns across TV, print, digital, CRM, website maintenance and social, including new car launches.
Helped grow the BMW business from US based digital-only to global 360 creative, making it the agency’s most profitable account.
Clients: BMW, Women’s Sports Foundation, Harman Audio.
Digitas / Senior Copywriter
Jan 2004 – Jun 2007, New York, NY
Wrote direct response and digital content for American Express, The New York Times, and AOL.
Earlier Roles
Bose Corporation / Project Manager (2003–2004)
Allen & Gerritsen / Account Executive (2000–2003)
Portland Power Women’s Basketball / Marketing Associate (1997–1998)
Education
UMass Amherst, B.A. in Psychology, 1997
Awards
One Show, Clio, Effies, Addys, Shorty Awards, NY Festivals, IAB MIXX, The FWA, Internet Advertising Competition, German Brand Awards