Maria Maru Bernal
Creative Director | 20+ Years Leading Multi-Channel Campaigns Across CPG, Financial Services & More | Award-Winning Traditional, Social & Digital Work | Built & Led High-Performing Creative Teams | Bilingual.
- Role
- Creative at Barkleyokrp
- Location
- Chicago, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Maria Maru Bernal
I’m a Creative Director with over 20+ years of experience leading award-winning, integrated marketing campaigns across social, digital, experiential, and traditional media. I specialize in multi-channel storytelling, brand building, and social-first content that resonates with diverse, modern audiences.Throughout my career, I’ve built and led high-performing creative teams, consistently delivering culturally relevant, business-driving work across categories including consumer packaged goods, alcohol, retail, entertainment, and financial services.Bilingual (Spanish) and grounded in multicultural strategy, I bring a global perspective shaped by creative leadership across Mexico, LATAM, the U.S. Hispanic market, and the General Market.Core strengths: Creative direction · Brand development · Rebranding · Team leadership · Multicultural marketing · Social-first campaigns · Digital content · Integrated campaign execution.I’ve been lucky to have worked with very talented people for incredible clients as a Creative Lead. CLIENTSP & G:Pert Plus, Head & Shoulders, Always, Tampax, Secret, Ace detergent, Gain Detergent, Charmin, Bounty, Pepto-Bismol, Prilosec OTC, Clearblue.Kellogg’s: Special K, Corn Flakes, Pop Tarts, Fruit loops, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Frosted Flakes.JPMorgan Chase bank, UnitedHealthcare, Disney, McDonald’s, Purina, Toys R Us, Marshalls, Wrigley, Mexico Tourism Board, Corona, Tecate, Brahma, Becks, Jack Daniel’s, Philip Morris, Chicago LatinoFilm Festival, Feeding America, Mazola, COX, Walmart, Barefoot Wines, Daiya, FirstBank, Ibotta,Purely Elizabeth, Christy Sports, KeHe, Del Real Foods, Rise Against Suicide, MARS: TrüFrü, and Champion Pet Foods (Orijen & Acana).AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONCannes Lions, D & AD, The One Show, Clio, London International Awards, New York Festivals, Kinsale Shark Awards, Radio Mercury Awards, Epica Awards, Webby Awards, ADDY, Wave festival, El Sol, FIAP, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, Mosaic Awards, ANA and the Effie Awards, Communication Arts and Lürzers Archive.JUDGE25 Ideas. 25 Years - 2025 - Circulo Creativo U.S.A.El Sol 2020/2021 - Activation and Brand ExperienceEl Ojo de Iberoamérica 2021- Branded Content and Radio categoriesEl Ojo de Iberoamérica 2019 | Print and Print Production categories.El Sol 2016 | Digital, Social and Mobile categories.FIAP 2015 | Radio and The Ibero-American Cup categories.FIAP 2011 | Direct and Promo categories.Hispanic Creative Advertising Awards 2010 | AdAge.Radio Mercury Awards.
Experience
Creative
Dec 2025 — Present
Education
UAM Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
Bachelor's degree, Graphic Design
1990 — 1994
Skills
- Indesign
- Creative Strategy
- Integrated Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Interactive Marketing
- Corporate Identity
- Art Direction
- Outdoor Advertising
- Illustration
- Brand Development
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Concept Development
- Digital Strategy
- Copywriting
- Interactive Advertising
- Art
- Social Media
- Creative Direction
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