Jason Merenda

Experience

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  21GRAMS

  SVP Creative Director - Art & Technology

  Apr 2023 - Mar 2025

  21GRAMS is the advertising and education arm of Real Chemistry, ranked as the #2 health agency globally by Cannes Lions. Their philosophy is inspired by the “21 Grams Experiment” of 1907, aiming to connect with the human spirit through creative work. They focus on making advertising more engaging and less interruptive by deeply understanding their audience through data and analytics. Their mantra is “medicine should be more inspiring than sneakers,” striving for inventive work across Clinical, Commercial, and Corporate disciplines.

  • Co-Head of Creative Technology and Innovation Leadership
  • Consulted on Brand & Social Tactics, Strategy, and Creative Technology
  • Led rapid prototyping for digital and hardware creative concepts
  • Developed Augmented Reality (AR) and Game prototypes
  • Liaised with Production Team for creative/technical design & animations
  • Established Audio Branding & Music discipline in Pharma
  • Led Congress & Booth CT Experience/Experiential Design
  • Managed Budgets, Contracts & Logistics for all CT projects
• 

  Landor

  Design Director (Experiential) + Lead Creative Technologist + Innovation Strategist

  Mar 2019 - Feb 2023

  Landor is a world-leading brand specialist known for transforming business, customer, and employee experiences through consulting, design, and experience. They focus on creating connected brand experiences and aligning employees with the brand's purpose and strategy.

  • Led Concept, Brand Tactics, Technology, Product & Experiential Design
  • Rapid prototyping for digital and hardware creative concepts
  • Developed AR prototypes and 3D modeling
  • Designed animations in WebGL, Three.js, TouchDesigner
  • Managed Budgets, Contracts & Logistics for CT projects
  • Worked with brands like Netflix, Walmart, Best Buy, Dell, Citibank, Pfizer
• 

  AnalogFolk

  Creative Technologist + Digital Experience Design + Innovation Strategy

  Jan 2019 - Apr 2019

  AnalogFolk is a global creative group focused on helping brands thrive in the post-digital age. They offer a wide range of services, including strategy, design, technology, and content creation, to deliver impactful digital solutions.

  • Worked on Gym of the Future concepts for Blink Fitness
  • Collaborated on cosmetics and lifestyle innovations for Maybelline
  • Developed technical innovations for cosmetics and gaming partnerships
  • Won business by bringing fresh perspectives to brand platforms
• 

  MRM

  Creative Director - Experience

  Nov 2018 - Jan 2019

  MRM specializes in helping businesses grow meaningful relationships through data, strategy, creativity, and technology. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including commerce solutions, media strategies, and privacy considerations.

  • Created a global creative campaign for Coca-Cola using generative AI
  • Focused on Happiness and bespoke data sets and algorithms
• 

  BBDO Worldwide

  Lead Creative Technologist + Innovation Strategist + Sr. Art Director

  Aug 2012 - Feb 2018

  BBDO is an international advertising agency network headquartered in New York City, known for its strategic creativity and innovative campaigns. It operates globally with offices in over 80 countries.

  • Led BBDO xLab, a multidisciplinary innovation studio
  • Created bespoke experiences, products, content, and strategy
  • Worked with brands like M&M's, Starbucks, AT&T, Lowe's, GE
  • Highlights include award-winning projects like M&M Remix, Footlocker Shoemoji
• 

  BBDO xLab

  Lead Creative Technologist + Innovation Strategist + Art Director

  Aug 2012 - Feb 2018

  • Led BBDO xLab, a multidisciplinary innovation studio
  • Created bespoke experiences, products, content, and strategy
  • Worked with brands like M&M's, Starbucks, AT&T, Lowe's, GE
  • Highlights include award-winning projects like M&M Remix, Footlocker Shoemoji

• BlackBook Art Gallery

  Digital Art Director + Product Designer + Innovation Strategist

  May 2012 - Mar 2013

  BlackBook Art Gallery is a company known for its work in mobile product UX/XD, design, and digital strategy for top magazines in NYC culture and Hip Hop culture.

  • Led mobile product UX/XD, design, and digital strategy
  • Worked with BlackBook and Vibe Magazine
• 

  Doremus+Co

  Digital Creative Director + Product Designer + Strategist

  Mar 2012 - May 2012

  Doremus+Co connects brands with people, culture, and technology to create value. As Omnicom’s exclusive business-to-business marketing agency, they focus on strategic, creative, and editorial talent.

  • Led Product Design and UI/UX/XD for existing clients
  • Focused on new business ideation (Digital)
• 

  SOCIALISTIC | Social Media Agency

  Interactive Art Director + Social Strategy

  Jan 2012 - Feb 2012

  SOCIALISTIC is an independent, award-winning Social Media Marketing Agency based in the UK, focusing on Social-First content, strategies, and campaigns.

• Socialistic

  Interactive Art Director + Social Strategy

  Jan 2012 - Feb 2012

  Socialistic is a company.

  • Focused on long-term social campaigns
  • Worked on product design and UI/UX/XD for existing clients
• 

  DDB

  Interactive Product Designer + Innovation Strategist

  Dec 2011 - Jan 2012

  DDB Worldwide, part of the Omnicom Group, is the largest advertising agency group globally, known for its creativity and strategic thinking.

  • Led Product Design and UI/UX/XD for new business pitches
• 

  b2 collective

  Creative Director + Experience Designer + Co-Founder

  Feb 2010 - Jan 2018

  B2 Collective is a creative collective of designers, coders, artists, and composers, focusing on interactive design, print design, music & sound design, and hardware projects.

  • Co-founded B2 Collective for small budget, creative projects
  • Focused on interactive design, print design, and sound design
  • Worked on projects involving Processing, sensors, and tangible mediums
• 

  Fangohr, LLC

  Creative R&D + Digital Strategist + Producer

  Aug 2009 - Feb 2010

  Fangohr, LLC focuses on product development in the digital age, working with passionate people and organizations that respect the world.

  • Led concurrent website and digital strategy projects
  • Worked on brand, creative, and digital strategies
  • Oversaw design reviews, creative briefs, and concept briefs
  • Projects included McDonald’s 2.0 strategy, Indaba player, kikin website
• 

  Big Spaceship

  Sr. Producer + Creative Strategist

  Mar 2007 - Oct 2008

  SPCSHP is an independent agency of creative specialists exploring new ways to engage and connect with people today.

  • Led design/dev/strategy teams through website and game projects
  • Clients included Sony Pictures, Corona, Adobe, Red Bull, Epson
  • Developed creative concepts and strategies with clients
  • Oversaw creative reviews and advised clients on presentations
• 

  AREA 17

  Project Director + Creative Strategist

  Sep 2006 - Feb 2007

  AREA 17 partners with influential organizations to realize their vision and achieve impact through strategic platforms, user experience, and design systems.

  • Handled up to 14 projects concurrently
  • Led Creative Direction and IA/UI/XD for Cablevision - Optimum Online Media Player
  • Clients included GOOD Magazine, Design21, IFC, AOL Music

• Viacom

  Sr. Manager - Digital Innovation / Experience Designer

  Feb 2006 - Aug 2006

  Viacom creates entertainment experiences that drive conversation and culture globally through television, film, digital media, and live events.

  • Supported 40+ regional MTVN Interactive groups
  • Led technology, digital product, and production initiatives
  • Defined strategy for emerging technologies and platforms
  • Projects included Motorola partnership, Exquisite Corpse campaign

• MTV Networks International

  Creative Director - Art & Technology

  Nov 2003 - Jan 2006
• 

  MaMaMedia Inc.

  Creative Lead / Manager - Audio Department

  Nov 1997 - Nov 2000

  MaMaMedia Inc. is a pioneering Internet media company for kids, offering applications and communities for self-learning digital media design, programming, and communication.

• Manhattan Soundlab Inc

  Owner / Founder

  Jan 1994 - Dec 2004

  Manhattan Soundlab Inc specializes in Sound Design, Music & Audio Branding for Games, Interactive, Film, and TV.