Russell
Houghtaling

Associate Creative Director

GMR Marketing, 2022-Pres.

- Lead creative direction and execution for Visa’s global sponsorship activations, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games and FIFA World Cup.

- Set the creative vision across multidisciplinary teams, guiding concept development through delivery of world-class experiential and design solutions.

- Act as primary creative point of contact for the client, shaping messaging and strategy in direct partnership with senior stakeholders.

- Present creative concepts, campaign strategy, and executional approaches directly to client leadership, building trust and alignment.

- Integrate AI platforms and workflows to enhance creative output, streamline production, and drive innovation at scale.

- Collaborate closely with client service to define creative briefs and strategic priorities.

- Oversee external vendors and production partners, ensuring creative integrity through hands-on reviews, budget oversight, and in-person press checks.

- Travel to global event sites to ensure flawless execution — managing creative installation, quality control, and live program support on the ground.

Creative Director

Oregon State University Athletics, 2016-22

- Led the athletics department's integrated creative and communications efforts, overseeing design, video, in-venue production, digital media, social, PR, and strategic messaging teams.

- Directed the public launch campaign for “Completing Reser Stadium,” the largest capital project in Oregon State history.

- Reimagined and implemented a unified visual identity system to elevate brand consistency across all platforms and channels.

- Concepted and launched the “Best College Town in the Pac-12” campaign, positioning Corvallis as a destination for fans, students, and recruits.

- Designed branded environments and experiences for athletes and fans, including sports performance centers, locker rooms, and premium hospitality spaces.

- Created the award-winning “#LetsGoToGameday Road Trip” in partnership with Toyota, a campaign that became a national model for sponsored content.

- Collaborated with brand partners including Dutch Bros., Spirit Mountain Casino, and McDonald’s to integrate sponsorship into high-visibility campaigns.

Director of Digital Media

University of Oklahoma Athletics, 2012-16

- Directed digital content, social media, and web design strategy for one of the nation’s top six most valuable athletic departments.

- Developed and executed growth strategies that increased social media engagement by 392% across key platforms.

- Designed and delivered social content and visual assets to drive revenue, fan engagement, and student-athlete recruitment.

- Created the #OUDNA campaign — a recruiting-focused brand platform that became a cornerstone of Oklahoma Football’s digital identity.

Previous experience and references readily available on request