VCU Brandcenter Lecture Hall
103 S. Jefferson Street
Howard Jordan, Jr. (CW, 1999)
TV Writer / Creative Director / Strategist
Topic: From Madison Avenue to Hollywood: A Live Q&A with Howard Jordan, Jr.
VCU Brandcenter executive director Vann Graves will sit down with alum and fellow Richmond VA native Howard Jordan, Jr. (CW, 1999) to discuss his unique journey from hopeful copywriting student to successful, NYC creative director. They'll also examine Howard's transition into television and screenwriting in LA where he's currently a Story Editor on the new Netflix original comedy series “Family Reunion,” premiering in Summer 2019.
Bio:
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Howard built a name for himself as an award winning copywriter and creative director, leading famous work for such iconic brands as Beats By Dr. Dre, State Farm, McDonald’s, Lexus and Coca-Cola. However, throughout his advertising career, he made time to take sitcom and sketch comedy writing classes at NYU, Upright Citizens Brigade and People’s Improv Theater.
In 2013, Howard relocated from New York City to Los Angeles to pursue his Hollywood dream. While freelancing to pay the bills and writing specs and pilots, as well as networking and reading as many scripts as humanly possible, he was recruited by Facebook/Instagram Creative Shop as a creative strategist tasked with helping the likes of Netflix, Warner Brothers, and Disney launch their most valuable entertainment properties on those platforms. He still refers to that position as the best marketing/advertising/communications job ever. But, when he was offered an opportunity to join the writing staff of CBS’ "Superior Donuts," he made the leap to television. After one season, which included his first episodic “written by” credit, Howard moved on to the staff of the upcoming Netflix original series, "Family Reunion,"premiering Summer 2019.