John Rausch, Creative Guru
Creative and communications professional with decades of success driving results for many of America’s leading brands. Accomplished at shaping insightful strategies and executing them with compelling creative. Expert at inspiring teams, collaborating with stakeholders and finding meaningful ways for brands to converse with consumers.
I learned the essentials of copywriting and creative leadership from one the legends of the business and resolved I’d pay that forward throughout my career.
I’ve worked at large agencies and small creative boutiques, creating results-driving and award-winning campaigns for a roster of clients including Anheuser-Busch, State Farm, FTD, Sprint Cellular, Marriott, Motorola, USG, Volvo, Blue Chip Casino and the Bravo Restaurant Group.
After 20 years as an agency creative director, I founded and ran Creative Guru, a marketing consultancy that delivered senior-level strategic and creative work without the unproductive layers or junior teams.
The Creative Guru brand promise: Everything you want from a big agency. Minus everything you don’t. Clients included CDW, the Tribune Media Group, Direct Energy, Alzheimer’s Association and the Morton Arboretum.
After ten years, I returned to the agency world for the opportunity to teach and inspire young creatives and account executives.
I soon made the jump to the client side, becoming the internal creative director for Flexera, a fast-growing enterprise software company, where I built a brand that helped the firm triple its valuation in just three years.
I’ve now returned to the world of freelance, where the possibilities are limited only by imagination.
In my spare time I wrote Paths Taken, the privately published biography of Chicago industrialist and philanthropist Robert Asher, and several children’s books. I’ve also collaborated with my brother Paul on a series of Christmas carols.
I’m the proud father of three grown children. My hobbies include cooking, and my passions are golf and pursuing the perfect cabernet sauvignon.
What’s that you say?
“
I learned so much from John as he is a great leader and communicator. John is not only able to reach deep down within himself to bring out his best, but he’s able to bring out the best creative in anyone he works with. An extremely gifted writer, manager, creative director and an all-around fun person to work with. Pretty good golfer as well.
”
— Jordan R.
“
John is a creative scientist. Creative in that he’s able to evoke deep emotion with the words and imagery in his work. And scientist in that there’s an enormous amount of thought, research and analysis that goes into every single detail. He is truly a master of his art. He is extremely thoughtful and strategic and would be a great asset to any team.
”
— Laura W.
Kudos
Emmy, Adam, Addy, Effie, B2B Marketer, Hermes
Over the years, I've learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn't
Here's what works: Bringing creative people along and enlightening and inspiring them. Showing clients that you listen to them and care about their business. Pushing yourself to turn something good into something great.
Here's what doesn't: Settling for just okay. Kissing ass. Thinking you're always right.