Jason Elm didn’t go to Kansas City to live the easy life. “I heard through a friend that this independent shop, Barkley, was looking for a new head of creative. I’d heard good things about the agency but didn’t know much. Once I met the agency leaders and saw what’s going on in Kansas City, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to create a legacy here.”

As Executive Creative Director, Jason oversees all creative, production and design for the agency whose clients include Dairy Queen, Spirit Airlines, Missouri Lottery, Russell Athletic and Wingstop. “My simple motto is ‘Have fun, make a difference.’ Put in the hard work and sometimes the long hours, but always work together, make each other better and love what you do and who you’re with.”

He’s no stranger to putting in the extra effort, as he joined DeutschLA in 1998 when it was still a small satellite of the New York office. As a copywriter and eventual EVP/Group Creative Director, he helped the agency grow to over 500 people while picking up awards for clients like Coors Light, Sony PlayStation and Pop Secret. He once had three spots for three separate clients run on one SuperBowl. But his proudest achievement is mentoring creatives who’ve gone on to become great leaders themselves at places like Vice media, 72&Sunny and TBWA/Chiat Day. When not inspiring creative greatness within the walls of Barkley, Jason can be found riding his bike or wrenching on his old VW camper van.