Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
ENTJ—A ‘Commander’︎︎︎

“Bold, imaginative and strong-willed leaders, always finding a way, or making one.”


63% Extraverted
37% Introverted
63% Intuitive
37% Observant
53% Thinking
47% Feeling
68% Judging
32% Prospecting
72% Assertive
28% Turbulent





I’m a creative thinker who hopscotches between left and right brain. American and Australian citizen. European by marriage. Water-loving ︎ Pisces by birth.

After studying design, film, photography, business, and communications, I landed in advertising, solving business problems with crafted creative solutions across every channel.

My work has often been recognized by Cannes, D&AD, The One Show, Clios, NYF, LIA, Effies, and more.

Beyond creating, I continually focus on building a collaborative culture where brands, ideas, and people thrive.


︎︎︎








  ︎︎  What seems to be the problem?  ︎︎  What seems to be the problem?  ︎︎  What seems to be the problem?  ︎︎  What seems to be the problem? 






The Monkeys︎︎︎
Lead Creative
Sydney 2008 — 2012


Was the agency’s first overseas hire and second full-time Art Director. During this time, The Monkeys won Agency of the Year four times, grew to over 150 people, and was later named Australian Agency of the Decade.




72andSunny︎︎︎
Global Creative Director
Amsterdam, 2012 — 2018


Joined as employee #14 and was the first CD in the Amsterdam office (under Carlo, the ECD). During my time there, 72andSunny was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, twice recognized as Agency of the Year by Ad Age and Adweek, and the office grew to over 200 people thanks to a string of new business wins.



Apple & Others︎︎︎
Creative Director
Los Angeles, 2018 — 2020


Recurring in-house Apple Services contracts (Music, Books, Pay, Partnerships). Between Apple projects, I freelanced with TBWAChiatDay LA, 72andSunny (LA & NYC), 215McCann SF, Deutsch LA, and The Monkeys Sydney.




Ghostpistols︎︎︎
ECD & Founding Partner
Los Angeles, 2019 — 2023


After helping other beautiful agencies grow and gaining invaluable ‘in-house’ perspective, I co-founded Ghostpistols. We built brands from the ground up, partnered with global giants, directed films, designed, mentored, and proudly navigated the pandemic before shifting focus in 2023.




Otoh︎︎︎
ECD & Founding Partner
Los Angeles & Beyond, 2023 — Today


Focused on blending product and brand advertising, our work launched across four continents in the first six months and quickly expanded globally. With a mix of tech innovation, human-centric creative, and global know-how, Otoh is in a constant state of excitement about what’s next. ︎


And now, some kind words from my previous sponsors.     ︎     And now, some kind words from my previous sponsors.     ︎     And now, some kind words from my previous sponsors.     ︎     




John Radaza
Projects Director, Global Collaborations
Nike USA 


︎︎︎︎

“A true team player and brilliant storyteller. His ideas brought a fresh perspective and new life to our work. He caught our blind spots and helped us identify more efficient ways of working. By nature, Matt is collaborative, passionate, and very easy to work with. But what I love about him the most is that creativity is central to all his work, even operationally focused problems. A producer’s dream.”



Anagha Alreja
Creative Director, Asia Pacific, Latin America
Nike USA


︎︎︎︎

“Passion for storytelling, brimming with smart, witty, thoughtful and fresh ideas, plus always going above and beyond the brief, are just some of the many qualities that make Matt and his crew at OTOH an absolute joy to partner with. They make us look good. Thank you Matt.”



Carlo Cavallone
Head of Global Creative, Lego
Former Global CCO, 72andSunny

︎︎︎︎

“It's been a great pleasure to work with Mr. Heck all these years. He joined our company in its infancy and left it in its adolescence, and along the way he contributed to its growth like few others.

Matt's an excellent modern creative because he's first and foremost a great craftsman, with a maniacal attention to detail, but he's also a great, solid businessman who understands deeply the needs of a brand. On top of this, he's also a really nice person to work with, smart, fun, highly empathetic and always really calm in the face of "adversity". We'll miss Matt around here. And we're jealous of those who'll get a chance to work with him in the future.”



Nic Owen
Former Managing Director
72andSunny, Amsterdam


︎︎︎︎

“Matt is a legend of 72andSunny Amsterdam - someone who helped build the office. Matt has many skills as a CD, Designer/ Art Director and human.

Matt has a base layer of strong design chops and conceptual ability that makes him a great creative. This also lays the foundation for him being an excellent Creative Director. He thinks brand first, is open to all kinds of input, but also has the strength of character to protect ideas and keep them whole. This, coupled with Matt being a very decent dude, makes him a great leader.

Matt has done some great work with us at 72 - on Axe, Carlsberg, Samsung and Smirnoff, where he was also part of the core team that won the global business. Matt is welcome back at 72 any time he fancies it.”



Justin Drape
Founder & Former CCO The Monkeys, Sydney
Founder Exceptional ALIEN


︎︎︎︎

“Matt was our first overseas hire. He arrived when we were just "a room full of dudes" and helped the agency grow from 15 dreamers to over 100 staff. Along the way he created some of our most awarded work, which has helped us to be named ‘Agency of The Year’ a number of times since 2008.”



Micah Walker
Founder / CCO Bear Meets Eagle On Fire.
Former CD W+K Portland


︎︎︎︎

“I like folks who care, question and obsess over the detail of everything from brief until case study, so I really like Matt.

He's an incredibly decent bloke who's always doing that bit more than is required long after everyone else has left. There's not a creative department worth working in, who wouldn't appreciate having him.

He does wear a beanie like that Daniel Powter d*ck...but hey, no one's perfect.”



Dave Damman
Former CCO 
Carmichael Lynch Minnneapolis


︎︎︎︎

“Extremely nice, and extremely talented. Two very sought-after qualities that are hard to find in our industry – and to find them both in one person – that's Matt.  

He's passionate about the work. He's extremely adept at identifying client problems – and then solving them with brilliant ideas. And, he's one helluva foosball player. I would jump at the chance to have him as a member of my team. Expect great shit from Matt – he will most certainly deliver.”



Stu Harkness
Former CD W+K Portland
Former ECD 72&Sunny Amsterdam


︎︎︎︎

“Work with Matt if you want a super smart CD with a meticulous eye for detail and design, the ability to nurture talent, dig under the skin of any brand strategically plus handle any shit thrown at him with unflappable aplomb.

Beyond that you'll have to deal with having a bloody lovely person in your presence too.”