Chris Shaw
Principal, Fearless Leader
Chris spurs people into action. He has for the last 20 plus years. A graduate of UCLA’s writing program, he began his career writing for television before being lured into the world of advertising.
More about Chris
His portfolio started at the prestigious Book Shop in Los Angeles and it quickly grew from there. He received the first of his industry awards for his work at Suissa Miller: one from the international journal Graphis, and the other a Gold Effie. At Leo Burnett, Chris led the creative team on Allstate’s prestigious “Safety” campaign, helping to create a groundswell in the national press that changed behavior and saved lives. With UPSHOT, he directed the creation of what could be considered the first social network. “If You Don’t Know You Don’t Go” was an underground network using technology to connect teens and tweens to Coca-Cola sponsored events and offers.
Chris opened Central Coast in 2005. The agency started strong by launching and defining the FLOR brand of carpet tiles with the development of a design program inspiring interior designers to become brand evangelists. In many ways, that informed our agency vision, Advertising for the Social Age. Today, Central Coast services diverse clients from global Fortune 50 corporations to innovative start-ups to national franchise organizations. Chris provides strategic vision that aligns the creative direction with business goals. He leads teams in developing and implementing global social media programs, building brand identities, exploring passion projects, encouraging innovation, and implementing proven, effective campaigns.
Vivian Busch
Principal, Media Innovator
Vivian started as a producer director for a late night talk show in Southern Florida. After heading back home to Chicago, she landing her first advertising job as a media buyer at JWT buying spot radio and television for Burger King, Ford, Nestle, Kraft and Universal.
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Vivian was Vice President, Associate Media Director at Kelly Scott and Madison before joining Central Coast at its launch and developing media strategies for FLOR. Bit by the Internet start-up bug, Vivian left Central Coast for several years. She helped support new digital technologies for news feeds before Facebook and Twitter, and e-books before the Kindle.
Back at the Coast, Vivian combines her digital and media experience to lead clients’ media innovation agendas. She is responsible for media strategies for the social age that focus on push and engagement implementations for customer advocacy and customer acquisition. Her background in broadcast, online, social and mobile platforms helps her to unravel consumer behavior into actionable, creative marketing programs that better connect brands with consumers.
Joe Gallo
Principal, Chief Creative Officer
A curious nature. That’s what’s behind the engine that fueled Joe early in his career. And now, over 20 years later, it is still in his DNA.
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As a graduate from Chicago’s American Academy of Art, Joe became well rounded in advertising, design, and photography. His resume reads impressively, holding positions at some of the biggest agencies in the world. With 11 years at Leo Burnett and 8 years at DraftFCB, he was honored with both REGGIE and Effie Awards, which recognize superior thinking across all intricate aspects of integrated marketing.
Also an accomplished documentary photographer, Joe has told many stories behind the camera, and has been twice recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for his work with the Chicago Reporter, winning a coveted Peter Lisagor Award.
Joe’s avid curiosity drives him to develop unique interactive marketing solutions that build reach within emerging digital channels. At Central Coast, he is responsible for realizing the strategy through a creative vision, and leading the creative department in producing and developing all aspects of the campaign. His experience and knowledge help foster an environment of open collaboration and creativity. He is passionate about Central Coast and sees every potential challenge as the agency’s next biggest accomplishment.
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