TIMEBrand & Creative

TIME has been one of the world’s most iconic storytelling platforms of the last century. After being acquired in 2018 by billionaire Marc Benioff, the brand sought to reinvent itself for the modern age, and I was brought on board to oversee the complete rejuvenation of TIME's brand and creative output.

Marketing & Promotion

A world class brand is nothing if it isn't promoted effectively and huge part of my role was overseeing the ideation and execution of over 60+ creative campaigns, which ran across broadcast, digital and social.

Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - TIME
In 2021, TIME’s revenue increased by nearly 30%, the highest year-over-year growth in well over a decade, reversing years of declines. TIME's global reach also grew to 105M+ and reader engagement rose to an all-time high.
Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell -

Branded Content

After driving creative for the branded content studio at The New York Times for so long, the opportunity to repeat these successes was ripe for the taking. I helped establish Red Border by TIME which delivered some of the most successful and innovative branded content TIME has ever produced.

The newly established Red Border Studios launched in 2021 and became a force in branded content world with industry-leading programs such as Audi, LEGO and Pfizer helping to double gross revenue more than $7M.
Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - LEGO

Broadcast & Events

TIME's franchises are it's biggest asset and I oversaw the delivery and promotion for established flagships such as Person of the Year, the TIME100 and Best Inventions, as well as delivering identities and design directions for new summit initiatives such as AAPI and Pride.

Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - TIME
TIME Person of the Year 2021 with Elon Musk and performances from Alicia Keys garnered 886K mentions on social media with a reach of 13.5B, resulting in 9.2M votes cast in the Person of the Year Reader Poll
Graham McDonnell - AAPI
Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - TIME

Brand Comms

One of the biggest challenges was a complete systemic overhaul of all creative processes, structures and team systems, which included brand guidelines, brand communication library, a brand new digital media kit and a suite of email newsletter identities.

Graham McDonnell - TIME
In less than a year, we created and launched a refresh of the TIME brand guidelines, a new brand communication library, a digital media kit and a suite of email newsletter identities.
Graham McDonnell - TIME
Graham McDonnell - Media Kit
Graham McDonnell - TIME