5 Minutes with… Jeremy Schutte
Jeremy Schutte recently joined ‘digital transformation network’ CourtAvenue as executive creative director. As the creative lead for CourtAvenue, Jeremy will be creating innovative creative solutions for clients such as James Hardie, KIA, DELL, and Farouk Systems. Currently, he oversees creatives
based in Dallas, Austin, and California, and will be further expanding the creative base as
CourtAvenue and its clients continue to expand.
Prior to this role, he was the group creative director at Javelin where he led customer communications for AT&T’s Wireless Business and creative teams across the Dallas and LA offices. The work he led in 2020 for AT&T drove three of the most successful quarters for device upgrades and churn reduction across the wireless business. For 15+ years, he held creative positions at VMLY&R, where he started as an associate creative director and steadily moved up the ranks to become executive creative director. During his time at VMLY&R, he worked with clients such as Kraft-Heinz, Mars, Tyson, Microsoft, SAP, Ford, and HSBC – to name a few. Jeremy’s campaigns have been recognised at awards shows such as Cannes, The Webbys and the ADDYs.
LBB’s Addison Capper caught up with him for a chat.
LBB> Recently you joined CourtAvenue. What was it about the opportunity to work there that appealed to you the most?
Jeremy> First, I saw former colleagues I trusted coming together to build something different and knew I wanted to be a part of it. Second, there was the opportunity to create something unique and future-minded in the agency space.
LBB> How would you describe the projects and responsibilities that you oversee as executive creative director there?
Jeremy> Overseeing a very talented team of designers, we reimagine customer-focused experiences that drive loyalty and growth. These projects are leading to a broader definition of what it means to be a digital AOR.
LBB> What do you think sets CourtAvenue apart from other digital agencies?
Jeremy> What sets CA apart is the mix of the disciplines across the agency influencing one another's work at speed. There are no preconceived borders drawn between our teams, so we're able to move quickly and solve clients' business problems together. We've got a very special combination of industry veterans and early-career team members who collaborate respectfully and supportively to deliver outstanding results.
LBB> What projects that you’ve been involved in at CourtAvenue have you been particularly proud of and why?
Jeremy> I'm just diving-in but in the short period of time I’ve been part of the network, we've already participated in several pitches that have led to wins. We have not announced them publicly yet, but I’m proud of every one of them.
LBB> What led you to working at digital and creative agencies earlier in your career? Was it something you had planned or was it more of a happy accident?
Jeremy> Honestly, there were a number of unintentional twists and turns in my career, but once I was in, I was always in. I started at one of the first ‘web design’ shops in Kansas while still in school and moved to an industrial design firm before going agency-side with this varied experience - landing where I needed to be at the right time. Even as these coincided with the dot-com bust, clients still needed smart shops who could get them online and grow their business from a digital perspective.
LBB> Tell us more about your background – where did you grow up, and what early experiences do you think inspired your creativity?
Jeremy> I grew up in Kansas City and was way into BMX and skateboarding, music and cars. In grammar school, I had the opportunity to take guitar lessons rather than choose from the traditional instrument offerings, which later led me to form my first punk band. The music, BMX, skateboarding and cars intersected in so many ways that both influenced and inspired my creativity.
LBB> What do you think of the industry’s overall creative output at this moment? What do you find the most exciting or frustrating about it?
Jeremy> I’m extremely excited about the creative output we are seeing – which has largely occurred as a result of the challenges the world has faced over the last two years. We’re seeing more imaginative and empathetic digital tools and innovating solutions we’d only dreamed of before.
LBB> Who are your creative heroes and why?
Jeremy> Jason Beers - my best friend since kindergarten and bandmate since 8th grade is the most creative person I know. He has consistently flown his own (authentic) flag and created powerful music that makes him happy. Andy Jenkins had been a young illustrator who went on to become the editor of the biggest BMX magazine of the ‘80s. He was creative director of Girl Skateboards and a collage artist while extending his artistry to music, as well.
LBB> Outside of work, what keeps you entertained / relaxed / sane / busy?
Jeremy> My wife and two teenage boys are my constant sources of entertainment. I play guitar and record with my two best friends in the same band we've had for decades, and I still play with cars (though they're a bit bigger than the Hot Wheels collection I grew up with). I also try to log-off and read 20th century history, musical theory and biographies of normal people doing extraordinary things.
