DARRELL ALLEN

Executive Creative Leader

Brand, Content & Design

I lead multi-disciplinary creative teams to build visual-first brands, launch original content, and grow audiences across digital, social, broadcast, and experiential platforms.

Open to Executive Creative Director, VP of Creative, and Head of Brand & Design roles in New York, New Jersey, and remote.

View Work

About My Work

I am the Director of Global Design & Presentation at The Associated Press, where I lead a 25+ person creative organization across design, motion, video, interactive, and product-adjacent storytelling. My teams have helped transform AP into a visual-first brand and produced award-winning work recognized by the Webby Awards, James Beard Foundation, and Overseas Press Club.

My leadership spans brand identity, digital content, motion storytelling, campaign development, and large-scale interactive features. I specialize in building creative cultures, scaling global workflows, and connecting visual storytelling to organizational strategy, audience growth, and revenue.

I’ve led creative vision for high-impact journalism, corporate branding, consumer products, and cross-industry collaborations in finance, healthcare, and tech. I’m passionate about guiding teams, elevating design standards, and shaping content experiences that resonate across platforms.

Visual Storytelling

Award-Winning Narrative Design With Global Reach

I lead the creative direction behind AP’s most ambitious stories — blending design, motion, data, reporting, and interactive tools to build meaningful visual experiences.

Role:
Executive Creative Direction · Creative Strategy · Story Development · Motion & Video Direction · Interactive Design

Lethal Restraint

Pulitzer Finalist · Murrow Award Winner National Headliner Best in Show
36 Days Adrift

Webby People’s Choice Award · Overseas Press Club Award
Protein Problems

James Beard Award — Visual Storytelling
The Death Of Tyre Nichols

A visual analysis.
The Cases of January 6th

Led creative direction for the evolving data design and interactive structure explaining the legal aftermath of January 6th.

Revenue Through Digital Storytelling

Driving Engagement, Growth & Monetization Through Creative Strategy

My creative leadership focuses not only on storytelling, but also on measurable business impact. I help organizations expand product offerings, increase engagement, and strengthen revenue through premium content systems.

Role:
Creative Strategy · Business Alignment · Brand Partnerships · Product Integration ·Revenue-Focused Creative.

GraphicsBank

$6.5–$7M Annual Revenue

Creative lead for AP’s global visual content platform.
Expanded offerings, strengthened brand identity, and supported revenue growth.

Olympics Interactives

$350K+ Direct Revenue

Directed medal trackers and interactive visual products.
Generated tens of millions of pageviews across AP News & partner sites.

Data Visualization & Interactive Design

Transforming Complex Information Into Clear, Human-Centered Visuals

I direct interactive experiences that help global audiences understand complex topics quickly and intuitively.

Role:
Data Visualization Strategy · UX Collaboration · Creative Direction · Interactive Design · Editorial Alignment

AP News Design

Establishing a Global Creative Identity

Enhance production output while ensuring consistent brand identity across all digital products.

Developed a cohesive global brand identity system, enabling producers and editors to streamline design workflows and focus on content creation.

Delivered a clean, recognizable aesthetic that differentiates each video product for a global audience.
Increased output efficiency by embedding brand consistency directly into existing video workflows.

Selected work from 2022-present

Role: Creative Direction, Design, Development,

Next-Generation Audiences

Anticipating Tomorrow’s Consumers

Adapt to shifting audience preferences and consumption habits shaped by generational and cultural changes, emerging technologies, and evolving media landscapes.

Using a sprint process to create a social strategy to build and grow younger audiences while creating targeted engaging content that establishes brand recognition and generates revenue.

Selected work from 2020-present

Role: Creative Direction, Design, Development, Social Strategy

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VOICES OF PROTEST

Explore the powerful stories of protestors crying for change all across the US.

Product Design & Brands

RED ELIXIR - ASCENIV - CANTOR FITZGERALD

Designed marketing products to drive sales and increase brand awareness among consumers. Developed content strategies focused on attracting new customers through advertising, branding, and informational campaigns.

Worked with Red Elixir Energy Drink on marketing, sales, and brand awareness initiatives. Developed social media content for ASCENIV by ADMA Biologics to enhance branding and audience engagement.

Created a range of content for Cantor Fitzgerald, including promotional videos, app design, conference materials, billboards, and various print assets.

Selected work from 2020-2023

Role: Creative Direction, Design, Development,