KURT FRIES // EVP //ECD
My career began at Central Academy in Cincinnati. After graduation, I packed up my car and headed to Chicago. Inspired by the city and challenged by the clients, I never looked back — eventually even becoming a Cubs fan.
I had the privilege of working at some of Chicago’s most respected agencies — DDB, Leo Burnett, FCB, and dentsuMcgarrybowen. At McGarry, leading a team of more than 50 talented people, I fully came into my own as a leader. Together, we built a new business track record with a win rate north of 50 percent.
I’ve always believed great work happens when teams and clients rally around a shared ambition. The goal was never creativity for its own sake, but creativity that worked — building brands and driving business. While I was fortunate to receive industry recognition, the Effies meant the most. They honor the ideas that deliver results.
My philosophy has always balanced creativity with human understanding — an approach that travels across mediums, categories, and borders. I’m proud of the image-based work we created and of the retail campaigns that helped redefine what retail communication could be when people really care.
Now, when I reflect on it all, what matters most are the people — the teams I led, the clients who trusted us, and the culture we built together. The reel tells part of the story. Photography tells the rest. It remains the clearest expression of how I see the world.
FIND RESUME HERE