What kind of Creative Director will you be?

Our 10-week online program will help you become the Creative Director you're meant to be.
Next start: July 6, 2023.

Industry experience required.

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Next cohort starts July 6

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Book your free consultation.

Find out how this program can transform your career.

Space is limited! We only accept 25 students each quarter.

It's completely changed my approach to work!

“When I was first in school, it was all about creative training. But nobody prepared me for the workforce. How to move up. Now, with M.AD, I’m learning from incredible leaders. Not just the teachers, but the other participants. I’m with people who are at that same stage in their career. We come together, talk, collaborate. We’re a tight group. It’s so great to have those regular check-ins with like-minded people.”

Who is this program for?

Senior Art Directors.
Senior Copywriters.
GCDs, ACDs and new CDs.

In other words, any working creative with experience who wants to improve their business and leadership skills.

What you should know about being a creative director (but nobody tells you).

1. It’s not just about great creative.

Surely you have a brilliant creative mind. Leading a creative team is about more. As a director, you’ll navigate politics, relationships, business demands, and more. You must inspire, nudge, and lead your team into crafting the brilliant work they’re capable of. And most importantly, you must protect creative people and their ideas.

In this program, you’ll learn to be a well-rounded creative director, in part by learning directly from those who’ve gone before.

2. Collaboration is not compromise.

A creative director works with their team, other departments, and with project stakeholders to maximize outcomes. Here, you’ll learn how industry experts manage their own a-list teams, and how to ensure that every voice in the room is heard. Crucially, you’ll come to understand that collaboration is more than compromise—it’s an art form that demands we listen deeply and encourage those around us. Only then can we produce work that makes the entire team truly proud.

3. It pays to learn from others’ mistakes.

In this program, you’ll hear and learn directly from experienced directors who’ve been there before. They’ve had the huge successes you aim for…and survived the mistakes you’ll aim to avoid. In these 10 weeks, you’ll have the chance to soak up that wisdom and, with luck, use it to advance your own career.

Your Lead Coach is Helayne Spivak

Former CCO and Executive Director of VCU Brandcenter

Helayne is a ground-breaking, award-winning copywriter who served as Chief Creative Officer of JWT, NY and Y+R, NY and was the first of 2 women named to their all-male Board of Directors. She went on to join Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness as Chief Creative Officer and later stepped down to become Director of VCU Brandcenter, a Master’s Program in Advertising and Marketing.

She then took her passion for mentoring creative talent and joined the Co-Active Training Institute to become a Certified Career/Life Coach.

The Creative Direction Curriculum

What (and how) you’ll be learning.

This 10-week online course gives you the skills and case studies you need to lead creative teams of all sizes.

Classes are every Thursday from 6-9 PM EST.

*Note: final list of classes is subject to change*

Class 1: Expectations & Needs

Director/Mentor Helayne Spivak will review the program with the group and lead you through exercises to help you set goals and identify your individual core value.
Class 2: CCO or ECD
Here you will get expert guidance on how to go from a creator of work
to a director and mentor of creative talent.
Class 3: CCO or ECD
Things you need to know when you go from creator to administrator of a
department and Creative Leader.
Class 4: Client
What makes for a great Creative/Client relationship to create an atmosphere in which great work gets recognized and bought.
Class 5: Planning Leader
Planners can/should be your best ally and champion for great work. How
to establish a relationship of trust and mutual respect.
Class 6: Account Director
Great Account Directors are a CD’s dream partner. How it works and
how together you can be a creative force with your client.
Class 7: CFO or COO
How does an agency work? The importance of time management,
budgets, billing, and all you need to be aware of to make a profit.
Class 8: HR
How to deal with people. Hiring, firing, negotiating, reviews, and workplace dos and don’ts
Class 9: The Diverse Inclusive Workplace
Expert in the field of Diversity and Inclusion and the Program Director will lead a Q&A about the changing workplace and how it enriches the creative experience.
Class 10: Director End Session
A review of what’s been learned. Feedback from all in class. Short program survey and a final Class Networking opportunity.