Dan Podnos Strategist
the emphatic empath
Portfolio
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?
LifeMiles Avianca Travel Card
2020
IBM Security’s TERMINAL Game
How can CTO’s truly understand the impact of cybersecurity attacks? With an interactive and immersive video game website, scripted & designed for the promotion of IBM’s new cyber security system.
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.
The 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?
The 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.
The 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 Opportunity
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.
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
The 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 fostering a community for sharing travel stories. This approach connects financial benefits with emotional rewards, aligning with their desire for meaningful travel.
Thank you
Contact
Dan Podnos
dpodnos@gmail.com