American and Australian citizen. European by marriage. Water-loving Pisces by birth.
My creative perspective has been shaped through hands-on experience inside global brands and world-class agencies across brand, design, photography, film, and innovation. The resulting campaigns and platforms have been consistently recognized by award shows and business results, less as a tally than as proof the ideas perform at scale.
Beyond the creative output, I build teams and cultures grounded in clarity, high standards, and honest opinions. I set direction early, align partners across functions, and stay close to the work so it gets sharper, not diluted, along the way.
I believe the best creative leaders raise the bar and make room for others to do the same.
First overseas hire and part of the foundational team that helped shape the agency’s culture and creative output as it scaled, winning Agency of the Year 4x, growing 10x, and later recognized as Australia’s Agency of the Decade.
72andSunny Amsterdam
Global Creative Director 2012 — 2018
First CD in the Amsterdam office, driving global brand platforms across tech, sport, beverage, and beauty while helping scale the team and creative output during a period of significant global recognition.
Apple
Los Angeles
Creative Director (contract) 2018 — 2020
Gained invaluable in-house experience through recurring roles across Apple Services, including Music, Books, Pay, and Partnerships, navigating a complex, matrixed org while aligning creative ambition, brand standards, and cross-functional priorities.
Co-founded the studio and led creative and client partnerships across brand, design, film, and production. Worked closely with in-house teams as an extension of their internal group, directing projects end-to-end while growing the business through the pandemic and intentionally shifting focus in 2023.
Otoh Los Angeles
ECD & Founding Partner
2023 — Today
Blending product and brand work, often operating as an embedded partner inside complex organizations. Working closely with brand and product leadership to align direction, navigate stakeholders, and launch work globally, including rollouts across 25 countries within our first six months.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of Matt Heck’s self-congratulatory extravaganza. Please take this playlist for your time. Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of Matt Heck’s self-congratulatory extravaganza. Please take this playlist for your time.