J HENDERSON
312.550.0755
Welcome.
Some of the things I’ve helped bring into the world live here.
CURRENTLY
I'm the CCO @ Secret Fort
BEFORE THAT
VML
McGarry Bowen
Leo Burnett
Doner
McCann
Y&R
Campbell Ewald
ALWAYS
I bring a wealth of experience to every challenge—sharpened by my time building an agency grounded in the belief that has guided my entire career: the best work always starts with the truth.
Because everything meaningful is built the same way—
by uncovering the undeniable truth.
When you build from there, the work doesn’t just make noise in the moment—it earns its place in the long run. It connects, endures, and stands the test of time.
I’ve learned that trends expire. Truth doesn’t.
Also, decks get longer. Attention spans don’t.
(you're half way there!)
My background spans global work across automotive, CPG, insurance, tech, healthcare, finance, and B2B—leading teams that turn insight into emotion and strategy into story. I’ve pitched in boardrooms, edited at 2 a.m., fought for better headlines, and occasionally won.
I believe in pushing past the safe option. The safe option has never built anything interesting.
I care about craft.
I care about clarity.
I care about work that feels inevitable once you see it.
Work that connects.
Work that changes behavior.
AWARDS
One Show – 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze, 6 Merits
Andy Awards – 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze
Cannes Lions – Silver, 3 Bronze, 2 Finalists
Effies – Gold, 2 Bronze
Webby Awards – 5 Winners
Clios – Silver
D&AD – 1 Gold, 2 Finalists
Creativity Annual
Communication Arts
SKILLS
Art Direction
Design
Writing
Executive communication
M365
Veo3, Grok, Runway (whatever launches next Tuesday)
Strategy
Welder (yes, the metal kind. No, it wasn’t a gap year.)
Adobe Suite
Figma
Storytelling
High-end film production
Ok, that’s it.
Now let’s make something new together.
