Profile
Hi, I’m Madonna
I provide creative and strategic intelligence services to agencies and brands.
For 20 years, I have worked for top advertising agencies and media companies —delivering news, fresh ideas, and spotting trends before they arrive.
Throughout my advertising career, I have worked on top brands such as Amex, BP, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, British Airways, P&G, Unilever, IBM, Disney, National Australia Bank, and on pitches for many more. As a news researcher, I covered elections, terrorism, celebrity funerals, and natural disasters. As a writer, I create content for global non-profits, local real estate agents, and well-known industry gurus.
Please get in touch if you think we could work well together —either on a full-time or consultancy project basis.
Expertise
News
The bulk of my career has been in the advertising industry but working in journalism gave me a quick metabolism for the daily news cycle and an appetite for newsworthy ideas.
Research
I’m naturally curious —it helps me to have a deep knowledge of current affairs, culture, and social trends. I am a forensic investigator who turns information overwhelm into actionable intelligence. I can immerse myself in a complex topic, get to the heart of it, and find simple solutions.
Brands
I’m passionate about brands and how they operate in context —outside conference rooms and quarterly sales meetings. I collaborate with agency teams on pitches and brainstorms.
Writing
I produce corporate blogs, websites, social media campaigns, and presentations. I’m also a copywriter and work on personal branding for senior executives, bios, newsletters, articles, and thought leadership material for industry gurus.
Work History
Consultant, CONTXTURE
2016
I provide creative and strategic support to local businesses, brand consultancies, advertising agencies, and their clients.
Head of Brand Intelligence, Deutsch
2015 – 2016
Strategic direction for new business and creative development for clients including Pizza Hut, Sprint, Volkswagen, Taco Bell,
Head of Intelligence Group, Ogilvy
2011 – 2015
Set up a heavily-used strategic intelligence department to support all disciplines, including advertising, direct marketing, digital media, shopper marketing, public relations, and healthcare.
Adjunct Professor (Brand Experience), City College of NY
2014 – 2015
Taught theory and methods for creating effective ‘on-brand’ immersive, tactical executions.
News Researcher, New York Times
2008 – 2009
Supported newsroom staff with investigative research and fact-checking.
Assignment Manager, Fox News Research
2007 – 2011
Primary liaison between producers, newsroom, corporate, and research team. Delivered content that added context to news reporting. Managed 23 news researchers, handling 1,200 requests a week, on a 24/7 schedule.
Head of Information, Leo Burnett Group
2000 – 2007
Provided best practice business intelligence and research leadership across the business. Created proactive services, digital resources to encourage the flow of ideas within the group.
