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Darrell AllenCreative ExecutiveStrategic LeadershipOrganizational TransformationBrand, Product & Visual Systems
At AP I brought design, motion, interactive and video into one creative organization of 25+ people serving 170+ countries. I grew GraphicsBank from $3M to $7M across 300+ B2B clients and rebuilt how creative work moves across broadcast, digital and client platforms. Each started the same way: listen first, separate what the business needs from what it assumes, then build only where the evidence points.
How I leadRead what’s already being said before sketching anything. Reviews, data, and the client’s own stated context come first.
→ Case 02Separate what the business actually needs from what’s assumed. Structure follows function, not the other way around.
→ Case 01Build only where the evidence points. Input, system, output. No speculative features, no unsolicited redesigns.
→ Case 03“I don’t just build beautiful work. I build the organizations, systems, and people that make it possible at scale.”
I’m Darrell Allen, a creative leader and visual strategist with 18+ years of experience leading newsroom storytelling and creative transformation across broadcast, digital, brand, AI-enabled production, and enterprise creative operations.
I began my career in live television at ABC, CBS, CNBC, FOX News, and BET, learning how to make fast, high-impact decisions in real-time environments where there is no margin for error. That foundation shaped how I lead today: calm under pressure, collaborative by nature, and focused on building systems that allow creative teams to perform at their best.
At The Associated Press, I led a full-scale creative transformation, building a visual-first creative organization from the ground up. I built and scaled multidisciplinary creative teams, grew a multi-million-dollar B2B visual product from $3M to $7M in revenue, and led award-winning creative initiatives recognized by the Pulitzer Board, James Beard Foundation, Webby Awards, and Overseas Press Club.
Beyond the work itself, I care deeply about mentorship, culture, and developing the next generation of creative leaders. I invest heavily in the people around me because I believe strong creative organizations are built through collaboration, curiosity, and shared knowledge.
I’m a learner as much as I am a leader. I stay curious. I collaborate without ego. I solve problems before they become fires.
And I’ve found that the most powerful thing you can bring into any room is the ability to listen well, think clearly, and act with conviction. That’s what I bring every day.
I’m open to what’s next. If you’re building something that needs a creative leader who can shape the vision, build the team, and deliver the work at scale, let’s talk. I’m interested in senior creative leadership roles across media, entertainment, technology, brand, and beyond.
dallen78@gmail.com
