John Norman: From Boyhood Drawings to Advertising Creative Genius

John Norman’s journey is a compelling narrative of passion seamlessly transforming into profession. From a young boy sketching horses and Speed Racer’s Mach 5 to impress peers, he has cultivated a remarkable career spanning over two decades in the advertising industry. His story is a testament to the power of nurturing childhood passions and the rewarding path of turning artistry into a successful career.

Raised as an only child by his grandmother, John Norman found solace and expression in art. What began as a childhood hobby soon became a defining aspect of his identity. High school marked a pivotal period where his passions for basketball and art converged, influenced by impactful figures – his art teacher and basketball coach – who left lasting impressions on his formative years. These early influences likely shaped his discipline, creativity, and teamwork skills, all crucial in his subsequent advertising career.

Today, with 23 years in the industry, John Norman reflects on his journey with gratitude. The boy who once drew for personal joy now gets paid to share his artistic visions with the world. This perspective underscores his deep-seated passion for his work and the fulfilling nature of a career rooted in genuine love for creation. His journey is not just about professional success; it’s about living a “wonderful life” doing what he loves.

John Norman’s Notable Work in Advertising

John Norman’s portfolio showcases a diverse range of high-profile campaigns across globally recognized brands. His creative direction has significantly impacted advertising for companies like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Hewlett-Packard, among many others. His work spans various media, demonstrating versatility and a deep understanding of brand messaging.

Coca-Cola Campaigns by John Norman

John Norman’s association with Coca-Cola highlights his ability to craft campaigns that resonate on a global scale. Key projects include:

Coke Side of Life: This campaign aimed to reinforce Coca-Cola’s brand image as synonymous with happiness and positive experiences, a consistent theme in Coca-Cola’s marketing.
Happiness Factory: A visually imaginative campaign that brought to life the whimsical world inside a Coke vending machine, showcasing the magic behind every bottle.
Human Truth: Emphasizing authentic human connections and emotions, this campaign likely tapped into universal feelings of joy and togetherness that Coca-Cola aims to evoke.
Magic Bottle: This project might refer to campaigns that used innovative packaging or interactive elements to enhance the consumer experience and create a sense of wonder around the product.
Olympics 2008: Leading creative efforts for Coca-Cola’s Olympics campaigns, John Norman would have been instrumental in developing messages that aligned with the spirit of the games and Coca-Cola’s global brand.
Product Love: Focusing on the emotional connection consumers have with Coca-Cola products, this campaign likely aimed to deepen brand loyalty and reinforce positive associations.

Nike Campaigns Led by John Norman

Nike, another major brand in John Norman’s portfolio, demonstrates his capability in sports and lifestyle advertising. His work for Nike includes:

Write the Future: A highly acclaimed campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, “Write the Future” was celebrated for its cinematic quality and narrative, featuring football stars and emphasizing the idea that every moment can change history.
Make the Difference: This campaign likely encouraged athletes and everyday individuals to strive for improvement and impact through sports, aligning with Nike’s motivational brand messaging.
Joga Bonito: Portuguese for “play beautifully,” Joga Bonito was a global campaign celebrating skillful and joyful football, resonating deeply with football fans worldwide.
Air Max: Campaigns for Nike Air Max, an iconic line of shoes, would have involved highlighting innovation, style, and performance, key aspects of the Air Max brand.
Here I Am: This campaign could be focused on personal empowerment and making a statement through sports and self-expression, a common theme in Nike’s brand narratives.
Tell Me: Intriguing and potentially interactive, “Tell Me” might refer to campaigns that encouraged consumer engagement and storytelling, creating a dialogue between the brand and its audience.
Nike +: As Nike ventured into digital integration with Nike+, John Norman’s work here would have been crucial in communicating the benefits of technology in enhancing athletic performance and tracking.
JDI South Africa: Likely related to Nike’s “Just Do It” (JDI) slogan, this campaign was probably tailored for the South African market, possibly around major sporting events or cultural moments.
Dutch WC: Campaigns specifically for the Dutch national team during the World Cup, leveraging national pride and sporting fervor.
Vapor Rosa: This could be a campaign around a specific Nike product line, perhaps highlighting innovation and design in women’s athletic wear.
Nike 5: Campaigns for Nike 5-a-side football, focusing on small-sided games and community-level sports.
ACG (All Conditions Gear): Advertising for Nike’s ACG line, known for outdoor and adventure gear, emphasizing durability and performance in challenging environments.
Made in Italy: Highlighting craftsmanship and premium quality, this campaign likely focused on products manufactured in Italy, appealing to consumers valuing heritage and quality.
Nikepark: Promoting Nike-branded sports parks or facilities, encouraging community engagement and active lifestyles.
Harajuku Hoops: A campaign potentially focused on basketball culture in Harajuku, Tokyo, known for its unique street style and trends.
Do Running: Simple and direct, “Do Running” campaigns likely aimed to inspire people to take up running, emphasizing accessibility and health benefits.
Posters: Development of visually striking posters for Nike, used across various media to build brand presence and communicate key messages.

Hewlett-Packard and Electronic Arts Campaigns

Beyond Coca-Cola and Nike, John Norman’s portfolio includes significant work for Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Electronic Arts (EA), showcasing his range across technology and entertainment sectors.

Hewlett-Packard (HP): Campaigns for HP, likely during a period of brand evolution, might have focused on themes like “+brand,” “+change,” “+you,” and “+music,” suggesting a strategy to connect HP with personal expression, technological advancement, and cultural trends, particularly music.
Electronic Arts (EA): His work with EA, a leading video game company, spans numerous popular titles:
- FIFA Street 3, Black, Burnout, Need for Speed Shift, Battlefield Bad Company: These titles represent major franchises in EA’s gaming portfolio, indicating John Norman’s experience in marketing high-profile entertainment products.
- Let’s FIFA 10, FIFA Earth, FIFA 10 Viral, Let’s FIFA 09, FIFA 07 Viral: These projects suggest extensive involvement with the FIFA franchise, one of the most successful sports game series globally, including viral marketing efforts to enhance campaign reach and engagement.

Diverse Brand Engagements

John Norman’s creative expertise extends to a wide array of other prominent brands, each with unique marketing challenges and objectives. These include:

Adidas: Street posters and “I am Brazuca” campaigns, likely for the FIFA World Cup, leveraging street art and cultural elements to connect with audiences.
Honda: “Insight” spots and print campaigns, possibly for Honda’s hybrid vehicle line, focusing on innovation and environmental consciousness.
Gatorade: Campaigns like “The Benefit Project,” “Equation,” “We Are All Stars: Locker Room,” “Fixation,” and “Lightning Bolt,” all likely emphasizing performance, energy, and the science behind Gatorade’s sports drinks.
Pepsi Max: The “Jeff Gordon Test Drive” campaign, a viral sensation featuring NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon in a hidden camera prank, showcasing John Norman’s ability to create engaging and shareable content.
Walmart: Diverse campaigns including “Cart Case Study,” “Summer,” “Walmart TV,” and “Yodeling Cat,” indicating a range of projects from branding to promotional content, even viral videos like “Yodeling Cat.”
Grammys: “Music Unleashes Us” campaign for the Grammy Awards, connecting music with liberation and emotional expression.
Geico: Humorous and memorable ad campaigns such as “Abe,” “Brostache,” “Guinea Pigs,” “Piggy,” “Possum,” and “Teenage Girls,” known for Geico’s signature light-hearted and quirky advertising style.
Tanqueray: “Resist Simple” campaign, likely positioning Tanqueray gin as a sophisticated and complex choice.
ExxonMobil: “Let’s Solve This” print, TV, and viral campaigns, possibly focusing on energy solutions and corporate responsibility.
Samsonite: “Wings” campaign, perhaps emphasizing freedom and travel associated with Samsonite luggage.
Filmmuseum: Campaigns for Filmmuseum, likely promoting film culture and cinematic experiences.
BFG (BFGoodrich): “Awesome Cross ID” and “Test Drive” campaigns, probably for BFGoodrich tires, highlighting performance and durability.
Stove Top: Campaigns specifically for Stove Top stuffing mix, a household name during holidays.
American Cancer Society: Socially impactful campaigns like “Beiber/Usher Mix,” “Birthday Case Study,” “Birthday TV,” “Candle Logo,” and “Wrapping Paper,” likely aimed at fundraising and awareness, leveraging celebrity appeal and emotional storytelling.

Publications Featuring John Norman

John Norman’s impact and recognition in the advertising world are further evidenced by his features in numerous industry and mainstream publications. These publications highlight different aspects of his career and achievements:

AdAge: Multiple features in AdAge, a leading advertising industry publication, including “Six Things You Didn’t Know About Translation’s John Norman” (August 14, 2014) and “Translation Beefs Up With New CCO John Norman and President Nils Peyron” (February 17, 2014), indicating significant industry recognition and news coverage of his career moves and insights.
Adweek: Coverage in Adweek, another prominent advertising trade publication, such as “TBWACD Confirms Hire of Norman as L.A. CCO” (June 5, 2012) and “Campaign of the Year and Spot of the Year: Hewlett-Packard” (February 7, 2005), and “Dallas Debut” (July 23, 2001), showcasing his career progression and campaign successes recognized by the industry.
The New York Times: Featured in The New York Times, a major national newspaper, in “Super Bowl Ad Previews Draw Online Attention, With Criticism” (January 30, 2013), indicating his work reaching mainstream media and public attention, particularly around high-profile events like the Super Bowl.
Style Weekly: Profiled in Style Weekly (April 13, 2011), suggesting recognition in lifestyle and culture publications, highlighting the broader appeal of his work beyond just the advertising industry.
Ihaveanidea: “Ihaveanidea Creative Director Profile” (March 28, 2011) on ihaveanidea.com, a platform for creative professionals, underscoring his standing among peers and in the global creative community.
The Wall Street Journal: Mentioned in The Wall Street Journal, a leading business publication, in “Martin Hires a Visual Storyteller” (December 7, 2009), emphasizing his reputation as a “visual storyteller” and his appeal to major agencies.
Cannes Lions: Featured in “Cannes Festival Report Card: Top 10 Creative Directors” (August 1, 2007) by Cannes Lions, the prestigious international advertising festival, placing him among the top creative directors globally, a significant accolade in the advertising world.
Businessweek: Mentioned in Businessweek (December 18, 2006) in the context of “Amsterdam’s Red-Hot Ad Shops,” indicating his international career and recognition in prominent business media.
The Guardian: Featured in The Guardian, a UK-based international newspaper, in “Coke’s Happiness Factory: Simple and Rich” (July 24, 2006), highlighting specific successful campaigns and their impact, reaching a broad international audience.

John Norman’s career trajectory, marked by significant contributions to major global brands and recognition from esteemed publications, solidifies his position as a leading creative figure in the advertising industry. His journey from a boy doodling in notebooks to an award-winning creative director is an inspiring example of passion meeting profession.