MOTTER

ABOUT

Hey there. I’m David, though most people just call me Motter.

I’m EVP of Creative at TPN Commerce, where I lead a multi-discipline team of Art Directors, Writers, and Experience Designers to create unique customer experiences for some of the world’s biggest brands. For more than 20 years, I’ve led and produced award-winning work for AT&T, Samsung, HP, 7-Eleven and FedEx Office, to name a few.

At my core, I’m a creative problem-solver with a passion for driving organizational transformation. I thrive in circumstances where change is necessary for turning a business around or for future-proofing during eras of innovation. I have a keen growth mindset, which has been integral in redefining “creative” within my organization, pushing for greater craft, more empathy-driven experiences, and Design Thinking methodologies that focus on growing brands by focusing squarely on their customers.

I lead from a place of empathy, vulnerability and collaboration and I’m driven by a work ethic deeply rooted in my working-class upbringing. These attributes are what have made me successful in building resilient teams and creating impactful customer experiences that produce positive business results.

The Journey to Creative Direction

Mostly self-taught, I’m driven by an innate curiosity that’s led me to pursue creativity through music, painting, and design. My earliest memories involve studying album art on trips to Walmart, such as the cutout tenement windows on Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti and the blocked out eyes on AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. These experiences, along with skateboarding, listening to hip hop, and playing in rock bands, made lasting impressions on me.

My Life as a Painter

I began painting in 2010, when my wife asked a friend to give me lessons as a Christmas gift. However, after only a few sessions, my mentor moved overseas. Despite this setback, I was determined to continue learning. I immersed myself in the works of de Kooning, Matisse, and Diebenkorn. I studied their materials and techniques, visited museums to see their works up close, and purchased every book I could find on the artists. Through this dedicated study, I developed his own unique style, though my inspirations are still often evident in my work.