TOM FLANIGAN
writer / creative director
floatingman@gmail.com | 773.960.6283
EXPERIENCE
Creative Director | FCB Chicago / BBDO Chicago | Sept 2013 -
Created campaigns and 360 platforms including TV, film, radio, social, digital and live event activations for large global brands and small start-ups. KFC, Kmart, Valspar, BMO Harris, Illinois Council on Handgun Violence, Miller, Coors, Hampton Inn, SC Johnson, Cottonelle. Head comedy writer for the annual Town Hall meeting for 12 years. Developed and taught “Comedy Writing for Advertising” class for entire agency.
* Work was extensively awarded by Clios, Cannes Lions, D&AD, etc, including a Grand Prix Cannes Lion.
Writer | Saturday Night Live | 2010 – 2011
Wrote monologues, commercial parodies, sketches, Weekend Update jokes and interviews.
* Winner of a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy / Variety
* Emmy nominated for Best Comedy / Variety
Actor + Writer | Second City etc. stage | 2008 – 2010
Wrote and performed four original 2-act sketch comedy revues featuring sketches, songs, monologues and semi-improvised audience participation pieces.
* Won a Joseph Jefferson Award for Studs Terkel’s Not Working
Writer + Director | Second City Works | 2000 - 2013
Lead training workshops on corporate communication and creative idea generation. Wrote and directed comedic training videos for ethics and compliance for “Real Biz Shorts” content library. Wrote custom sketches for live corporate shows and events.
SKILLS
Comedy writing, public speaking, voice over (wide range of character voices and dialects), stage acting and singing. Marketing, strategic thinking, pressure-testing briefs. Concepting big platforms and big organizing ideas for large and small brands. Mentoring junior creatives. Strong client relationship skills. Directing editing, audio recording and mixing. Directing talent in callbacks and on set.
EDUCATION
B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa
President of Phi Eta Sigma Academic Fraternity
Director of I.C. Improvs
University of Iowa Presidential Scholar (full ride academic scholarship)
National Merit Scholar