Dan Podnos ​Strategist

the emphatic empath

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Pop into the ​Pampered Paradise ​of Dan Podnos

Dan Podnos is a strategist who believes that curiosity ​sparks innovation, empathy creates connection, and a ​strong point of view drives results.


His work is fueled by an insatiable desire to explore the ​unknown, understand diverse perspectives, and craft ​strategies that resonate on a deep, human level.


Whether it's uncovering hidden insights or advocating for ​bold ideas, he brings a unique blend of inquisitiveness, ​compassion, and conviction to every challenge.

Brooklyn Brownstones (2022)

Bio

I am a New York metropolis native, born and raised by parents and ​grandparents from Brooklyn, a child of the city. The multifarious, bustling ​environment exposed me to may cultures, fostering a deep appreciation ​for diversity, and igniting my deep curiosity about humanity.


My fascination with the human mind led me to pursue a humanities ​degree at Indiana University, focusing on psychology, sociology, and ​anthropology. My natural curiosity as an introvert helped me develop a ​strong foundation in investigative research.


As a lifelong baseball enthusiast, I honed my skills in data analysis and ​strategy through fantasy baseball. At Indiana University, I spent ​countless hours filming and writing for the baseball team, sharpening my ​creative and analytical skills on the ball field.


Much like my beloved New York Yankees, the Indiana Hoosiers are a ​heritage brand in the college basketball world, a symbol of sustained ​excellence and greatness over the years. The class and professionalism ​of these franchises has guided my approach to learning, trusting in the ​classics and building a foundation of fundamentals.


My professional background in paid media has provided me with a deep ​understanding of the advertising industry. This experience has fueled my ​desire to transition into a creative strategist role, where I can leverage ​my skills to develop innovative campaigns that resonate with audiences.


From my roots in Brooklyn to my career aspirations in media strategy, ​each step has been a learning experience that has shaped me into the ​strategist I am today.


Education

Dan Podnos’ educational journey has ​equipped him with a deep understanding ​of the nuances of strategic ideation, from ​crafting perceptive insights to creating ​immersive integrated campaigns. His ​commitment to mastering the art and ​science of strategy and marketing is ​evident in his academic ​accomplishments.

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

Indiana University, Bloomington IN

Minor: Marketing

Specialization: Advertising

Associate of Science in Humanities

College of Morris, Randolph NJ

Focused on the psychological aspects of storytelling, delving into the art ​of suspense, subtext, and building tension.

Certificate of Creative Strategy

Miami Ad School, Queens NY


Certificate of Creative Direction

School of Visual Arts, New York NY

Studied the art of creating engaging creative executions for integrated ​marketing campaigns

Body of work

2023

Winning is Still #1

With a seemingly-bottomless well of funds for ​mega-celebrity endorsement, the rest of the online ​casino category had a clear awareness advantage. ​Out-spent and out shouted, we needed to unlock ​an unfair share of attention.

2022

Winning is Undefeated

Winning is undefeated. One creative platform ​designed for longterm brand building. How can we ​introduce ourselves to the world with a voice and ​personality that is a total category departure?

Body of work

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

A Good Meal Tastes Even ​Better When You’re Winning

FanDuel’s Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

The Opportunity

Winners don’t rest on their laurels. As the dust of our ​brand relaunch settled, we needed to find more ways to ​stand out in a loud, oversaturated category. How could ​we further strengthen the association between FanDuel ​Casino and the feeling of winning?


The Insight

What’s the one thing more associated with winning than ​Disneyland or Charlie Sheen? Chicken dinners.


Th​e Solution

Piping hot chicken dinners for winner winners. Another ​reason why Winning is Undefeated. FanDuel Casino ​players nationwide were offered a chance to win free ​chicken dinners for a year (and bonus cash prizes). ​Meanwhile, the experience was brought to life with a ​restaurant pop-up in Philadelphia. Show your login, or ​sign up, and get a chicken dinner from renowned chef ​Jennifer Carroll.

Feeling #295? running! feeling #72? not running!

Winning Might Just Be the ​Best Feeling in the World

FanDuel’s Winning is Still #1

The Opportunity

We put FanDuel Casino on the map by introducing the ​idea that Winning is Undefeated. But with a seemingly-​bottomless well of funds for mega-celebrity ​endorsement, the rest of the online casino category had ​a clear awareness advantage. Out-spent and out ​shouted, we needed to unlock an unfair share of ​attention.

The Insight

If the feeling of winning is truly undefeated, where does ​that leave every other feeling?

Th​e Solution

Playing FanDuel Casino gives you a chance at the #1 ​feeling—winning. How do we know that winning is the ​#1 feeling? Because we ranked them. Yes, winning ​ranks higher than every other feeling—like successfully ​avoiding an awkward interaction with your neighbor, ​getting to say “I told you so,’ catching your car keys in ​one hand, or even saving a kid from a well…59 years ​later.

because winning just feels oh so good

No Matter How Small, ​Winning is Still the Best

FanDuel’s Winning is Still #1

The Opportunity

The online casino market is forecasted to reach $23 ​billion by 2030 nationally, cementing FanDuel Casino as ​a chief focus for the brand. How can we introduce ​ourselves to the world with a voice and personality that ​is a total category departure?

The Insight

Winning—no matter how big or small—feels so good.​ You can't beat it.

Th​e Solution

Winning is undefeated. One creative platform designed ​for longterm brand building. Remind people how ​winning can feel in every day situations, like not having ​to pay for parking because the meter's broken (big win), ​or getting dumped by someone you were most-​definitely going to break up with (bigger win).

Our 360 campaign included two hero TV spots, a ton of ​OOH in FanDuel Casino approved markets, radio, social ​and digital.

fostering connections and making gatherings special

Seeking Connections ​Through Shared Experiences

Schweppes’ Refreshing Traditions

The Opportuni​ty

In a world where many feel lonely and disconnected, there's a growing ​need for meaningful connections. Social gatherings offer a chance to ​foster these connections, and there's a demand for products that ​enhance these experiences.

The Insight

People seek meaningful connections through shared experiences.

The Solution

By choosing Schweppes, consumers are not just selecting a beverage; ​they are fostering connections and making gatherings special. ​Schweppes blends tradition with modernity, helping people connect ​and celebrate together. The "Refreshing Traditions" campaign will ​position Schweppes as the beverage that brings people together.

tv all day alone? lazy! Tv all day with friends? hanging!

INDULGING WITH YOUR ​FRIENDS BRINGS LESS GUILT

The Opportunity

Dairy Queen could increase ice cream cake consumption by positioning them as ​perfect for everyday social moments, not just special occasions. Adults aged 18-25, ​who enjoy sharing visually appealing treats with friends on social media, are drawn ​to small indulgences and follow trends. This makes them more likely to incorporate ​ice cream cakes into their regular social activities as “little treats”


The Insight

INDULGING WITH YOUR FRIENDS BRINGS LESS GUILT


The Strategy

Sharing indulgences helps remove guilt while building bonds.


The Solution

Reposition Dairy Queen ice cream cakes as a regular, shareable indulgence, perfect ​for everyday moments with friends. By tapping into the culture of social sharing ​and “little treats”, we developed a plan to increase the product's appeal through ​targeted social media content and influencer collaborations, ultimately normalizing ​it as a go-to treat for any social occasion.

chocolate ice cream cake

the bigger the world the smaller your problems

Stepping away from your day-to-day life ​lightens the burden of everyday worries.

LifeMiles’ Small Problems

Th​e problem

Current travel rewards programs focus too much on transactional ​benefits, failing to connect emotionally with millennials, particularly ​wanderlusters, who seek meaningful travel experiences.


The Opportunity

Create a compelling marketing campaign for the LifeMiles Avianca ​Travel Card that resonates with millennial wanderlusters, bridging ​financial benefits with emotional rewards and positioning the card ​as a gateway to exploration.

The Insight

Stepping away from your day-to-day life lightens the burden of ​everyday worries.

The Solution

The bigger the world the smaller your problems. Create a multi-​channel marketing campaign that engages millennial wanderlusters ​by using inspiring social media content, providing authentic ​information, highlighting unique travel experiences, and foste​ring a community for sharing travel stories. This approach conn​ects financial benefits with emotional rewards, aligning with t​heir desire for meaningful travel.

Thank you

Contact

Dan Podnos

dpodnos@gmail.com