Holly Hessler (Copywriting, 2009) joined the Brandcenter faculty in 2020 after more than a decade in the advertising industry, launching successful campaigns for brands like Apple, Nike and Target. Over her four years at Brandcenter, she’s led students from all concentrations to polish brand concepts for real clients and produce award-winning work. With an emphasis on quality, Holly inspires and supports students as they hone their craft.
“Holly knows how to push our ideas forward, taking our work to a higher standard as ad professionals,” first-year copywriter Hannah Kakish said. “She always finds a unique insight into our concept and suggests another approach you didn’t see coming. Once the work is finished, it feels more true, ownable, and provocative.”
Second-year copywriter Debashish Dumbre shared that “having Holly as a professor is like being presented with an insurmountable wall, at the top of which lie the best writers and creatives in the industry. The learning curve can be a bit steep, but she shows you the dents, cracks, and footholds in the wall. The tools Holly equips you with are invaluable.”
Along with the tools, insights and endless wisdom she provides, Holly is an incredible role model, mentor, professor, leader, and now Chair of Copywriting at Brandcenter. In her new role as Chair, Holly will have a more direct impact on curriculum learning goals and outcomes as well as student development in and out of the classroom.
Holly’s professional work includes prestigious agencies and brands like McCann (Verizon), 72andSunny (Nike and Bugaboo), Chiat LA (Crate&Barrel, Diet Pepsi), Deutsch (Target) and Media Arts Lab (Apple), and her accolades include recognition at Cannes, the One Show, D&AD, the Clios, the Webbys, and more. She has also worked with nonprofits including Conservation International, The One Love Foundation, and the AdCouncil.
“What I find most satisfying is knowing that something I helped create had a positive impact on the world,” Holly said.
We can attest that she’s had a lasting and positive impact on the Brandcenter community and we are so incredibly lucky and grateful to rely on her leadership in the years to come.