PATRICK O'TOOLE | FOUNDER, GROWTH STRATEGIST

Creative.
Problem-solver.
Builder.

I’m a designer by trade with an eclectic background as a multi-faceted, creative problem-solver from marketing, advertising and client-side roles. I’ve developed a holistic perspective on marketing ecosystems and find purpose in helping clients hit growth objectives with strategic thinking, tactical planning and project fulfillment to bring ideas to life.

Detail-oriented in my thinking, I've spent the better part of my career helping businesses overcome challenges. I thrive in environments where I can express multiple functions surrounded by smart people who are equally passionate about the things they set their mind to.
Education
  • University of Notre Dame
  • BA Graphic Design
  • D1 Athletics / Lacrosse
Out of the Office
  • Father of 3
  • 4x Marathoner
  • DIY Nut
  • Outdoorsy: Golf, Fishing, Camping
100+ Brands

Tech, CPG, Health, Finance, Sport, Non-Profit, Government, Education, Travel

15+ Yrs of Experience

Creative Director, Adv ACD, Brand-side Director of Marketing, Startup

Wheelhouse

Creative/Design, Strategy, Marketing

My Career Path in a Nutshell.

1
Years 1-5

Design-centric

I cut my teeth in web design producing over 100 presented executions to clients through the height of responsive design. These were core years for iA, UX and developing visual design systems.

2
Years 6 - 10

Brand-centric

Visual design is innately subjective and I craved objectivity in decision-making. This opened the door to thoughtful and meaningful design direction based on brand positioning, values and customer personas. I stepped out of the tactical world into big-picture thinking and brand execution.

3
Years 11 - NOW

Strategy-centric

My brand building experiences led to ecosystem construction with a much better understanding of consumer journeys, emotional connection and telling stories in the right place to the right people. Now I blend memorable with measurable in full-funnel growth strategy.

Content Strategy at Onward

Strategy & Planning

Whether you're looking to build a campaign or a more comprehensive Marketing Plan, projects start with listening, understanding and aligning briefs, budgets and timelines with business objectives and key audiences.
at Onward

System Setups & Integration

For those starting something new, get help setting up your tech foundation and integrating your platforms.
logo examples at Onward

Logos

I've worked with dozens of clients wanting to start something new or refresh their existing visual core.
brand and identity guidelines

Brand Guidelines

Whether you're looking to reinvent a distress brand or build out a new, comprehensive set of guidelines, Brand Books set the standards aligning internal and external teams for consistent and efficient work downstream.
website design and development

Web Design

100+ thoughtful, meaningful and scalable website designs that look good and work well including iA, UX, visual systems and layout.
capture and production at onward

Capture & Production

Your creative assets hold a lot of persuasion power. Will you ooze desirability? Or will you allow subpar assets to dillute the value of your products and services? Invest in quality. Use it everywhere.
content strategy at onward

Content Strategy

One of the first steps in the creation process is mapping out the path from objective to delivery. What physical features and emotional benefits do we need to cover? How will we organize capsules of information? What vehicles will we leverage to tell these stories? Plan. Create. Deploy.
omni-channel campaigns at onward

Omni-channel Product Launches

Campaigns start with a vision and bring that vision to life is what I love to do. We'll start with an objective, budget and timeline to determine how to maximize ROI with the most effective channels within our means.
ad creatives at onward

Ad Creatives

When it's time to leverage paid campaigns, look to Onward to produce your ad creatives in lockstep with the media team. Whether it's video, animated or static, we can rely on savvy partners that fit your budget.
print collateral and materials at onward

Print

Yes, clients still need tangible execution. If you're in need to produce materials and collateral, that is also in our wheelhouse. Examples include product catalogs, publications, signage or direct mail to name a few.
WHY ONWARD?

Onward is an extension of your team.

I started Onward to reimagine how we go to work and provide more value to clients. Over the last few years, top talent has been moving in the solopreneurial direction. The post-Covid landscape looks different for everyone, from remote settings to project-based SOWs — AOR's and retainers are dieing as brands thread the needle to get more with less. It's time to reassess, challenge the status quo and break free from the traditional consultancy and agency models with a holistic perspective on business growth and partnerships.

With collective knowledge and execution from just the experts you need, we reduce overhead and pass the savings to you, providing more value for your investment. The result is stronger ROI without sacrificing experience.

Principles that blend the athlete-mindset with creativity.

Be Competitive
Business is an infinite game. Winning is bringing your best and outworking the rest.
Be Adaptable
The only constant is change. Flex with personality types, business needs and an every-evolving marketplace.
Be Authentic
Follow your gut. Have the tough conversations. Expect to be held accountable for your words and actions.
Be a Great Teammate
Help out. Pitch in. Do what others won't to support the mission. We over me.
Be Curious
Learning never stops. Grow. Inquisition finds opportunity.
Be Disciplined
Stay focused. Stay consistent. Do what you said you would do.

Kind words from great people.

Immediately in speaking with Patrick I could tell that we found the right partner. He engaged in learning about our business on a deep level to create a new strategy from the ground up that we required. His energy and passion was evident. Outside the box thinking with our prospective clients experience in mind. Communicative and detailed in his thought process. It was refreshing to be working with a partner that wanted to operate like they were an employee of our company - something rarely seen in business anymore.
Doug Tibbs
Past Client | Canvas Yacht Charters
BEAM hired Patrick to help develop the user interface design for an iPad product configurator for a medical device manufacturer. The challenges we faced were a tight deadline, a complex array of products and a brand in flux. Patrick delivered an elegant UI that sets the bar for sales applications. Patrick was very easy to work with, has great attention to detail and really thinks about the user.

Brodie Rich

Past Client | Group Design Director | Beyond
Comprehensive. Creative.
These two words resonate when I think of Patrick; he has an innate ability to view design challenges from a holistic perspective. He puts in the time to develop a comprehensive creative strategy before putting pixels to canvas, distilling his approach from stakeholder input, relevant market trends, due diligence, and alignment with both user and business goals.

Buck Beaudoin

Past Client | SVP | Mad*Pow

Let's gain clarity & make some moves.

Growth is about seizing opportunity, trying new things and honing in on how you show up to the world.
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