Pete Griffith

Pete Griffith is the Founder and President of Mentum. He’s not THE Family Guy but definitely a family guy (three kids, in fact). He does share something in common with that show – they have both won an Emmy for creativity. In fact, this Pete Griffith has also won multiple international advertising, editing and art direction awards. His approach to any project is simple. He believes

“the final product not only has to make you feel something, it must make you do something.”

As a former creative director for over 20 years at the world’s largest ad agencies, his work for numerous Fortune 500 companies not only gained impressive creative recognition but boosted their bottom lines. But when work meant spending more time away from his family than with them, Pete started his own agency and never looked back. He now oversees every aspect of marketing, communication and strategic planning at Mentum.

Watch the podcast where Jesse P. Gilmore – Niche In Control interviews Pete on the founding of Mentum, discussing the importance of adaptability and living a life by design.

DNA before Mentum

VP / Creative Director

Element79 – Chicago, Illinois 2004-2007
As part of the leadership team, I lead numerous creative and production teams doing award winning work for national clients such as Tropicana, Long John Silver’s and local clients like Central DuPage Hospital. All of which proved to influence record sales and awareness scores.

Executive Creative Director

Point B Communications – Chicago, Illinois 2003-2004
Lead and helped increase staff of 30. Won 5 new accounts increasing revenue 25%. Clients included Marriott (Regional and field), Keystone and Gemstone Resorts, Kimpton Hotels, Chicago Children’s Choir and Jill Prescott Culinary School.

VP / Creative Director

J. Walter Thompson Worldwide – Chicago, Illinois 1997–2002
Selected for JWT National Leadership committee and helped lead JWT North American Leadership Summit. Created International and National award winning campaigns for Foster’s Beer, Kraft Brands, Nabisco and Ritz Crackers, Partnership for a Drug Free America, Princess Cruise Lines, Chicago Ad Federation and Pfizer.

Associate Creative Director

Campbell-Mithun-Esty Worldwide – Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1989–1991/1993–1997
Returned to agency after first working there from 1989 -1991 and established award winning, effective campaigns for Andersen Windows, US West Communications, Toro Company, Healthy Choice Foods, Land O’Lakes, The National Easter Seal Society, United Way, 3M, Dow Brands, Baker’s Square, Gerber, Ocean Spray and Lawn Boy.

Senior Art Director

DDB Needham Worldwide – Chicago, Illinois – 1991–1993
Part of team that won creative awards on campaigns for Bud Light, Anheuser-Busch theme parks, McDonald’s, Wilson Sporting Goods, Audi and Porsche in Germany.