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Chris Hornsby in the Grand Teton National Park.

Chris Hornsby

Introduction

I’m a seasoned branding expert with years of experience creating impactful ideas. After studying graphic design at the University of Georgia, I’ve honed my skills at ad agencies and design studios in Atlanta and Knoxville, and worked in-house at Peavey and Philips Electronics before founding Hornsby Brand Design.

With over 150 awards internationally, I specialize in crafting brands that deliver results—spanning corporate identity, digital marketing, TV and radio ads, events, and more. My work doesn’t just win accolades; it makes an impact.

As an Advertising Hall of Fame inductee, I’ve been recognized for bold, innovative creativity that challenges the status quo. For me, branding is about more than just visuals—it’s about driving meaningful results through smart, collaborative strategies. If you want a branding partner who’s fully invested in success, I’m your guy.

Summary of professional experience

With more than 25 years of successful experience as an advertising, design, and marketing executive, I have a proven track record of driving business growth through innovative concepts and strategic campaigns.

My portfolio includes 30+ award-winning projects, and I’ve consistently achieved significant increases in sales and brand recognition. I thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments and am known for my ability to adapt to changing industry trends.

As a creative thinker with a deep understanding of digital marketing tools and a passion for excellence, I am eager to leverage my expertise to contribute to a team’s success.

Highlights
  •   +
    Internationally recognized for creative excellence
  •   +
    Received more than 150 creative excellence advertising, design, and PR awards
  •   +
    Published 4 times in 3 international design annuals
  •   +
    American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Fame inductee
  •   +
    Creative work has appeared in museums and special exhibitions across the US…from New York to Atlanta to the Mid-West
  •   +
    High client satisfaction evidenced by decades of repeat business
Expertise
  •   +
    Conceptualizing creative solutions
  •   +
    Leading and inspiring teams toward strategic goals and objectives
  •   +
    A profound knowledge of diverse industries: From B2B and consumer products, to entertainment, financial, and mass transit
  •   +
    A technical expert in print and digital design, marketing, and video
  •   +
    Keen ability to lead design teams
Key Skill Set
  •   +
    Creative Leadership and Strategy
  •   +
    Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration
  •   +
    Team Development and Mentorship
  •   +
    Brand Building and Visual Identity
  •   +
    Website Design and Development
  •   +
    Digital Advertising and Marketing
  •   +
    Graphic Design
  •   +
    Brand Messaging and Naming
  •   +
    Event Planning and Management
  •   +
    Photography and Film Art Direction
Education

University of Georgia
Athens, GA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

Professional experience

Please contact me here to request a resume and/or references.

What brought you into the creative field?

From an early age I was encouraged to be creative and work with my hands. My mother was an artist and I have many relatives who are extremely creative. Because of this, I chose to pursue a career in graphic design. It was at the University of Georgia and subsequent positions that I began to learn how to attack complex branding/advertising challenges, devise creative plans, and then implement these plans into successful solutions.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I’m passionate and purposeful about what I do. I believe in the power of branding and desire to take calculated risks to achieve break-through results. I go beyond practiced processes. I thrive on healthy debate and look for collaborative relationships. With the knowledge that branding makes a difference in people’s lives, I focus on delivering impactful results by leveraging innovative techniques and approaches that drive measurable returns. My philosophy is that creativity plus the ability-to-implement go hand in hand. Successful results must have both disciplines working in tandem with one another.

20+ years experience with
more than 150 creative
awards to show for it.
What kind of person are you?

Well, that’s a very complicated question, but I’ll try to answer it the best I can. I’m an enthusiastic, creative/strategic leader. I take complex marketing challenges and turn them into successful solutions. I’m a husband, father, brother, son, and friend. I’m a perfectionist, so I can be a little demanding when it comes to quality and meeting predetermined goals. I believe in and employ the “Golden Rule.” I weight-train 3 days a week. I love to travel. Most of all, I try to never take myself too seriously.

What’s your favorite dinner and a movie?

I enjoy so many types of food from a great American hamburger and fries to Chinese, French, and Soul. However, I’d say my favorite dinner would be a huge plate of beef nachos…and if you throw in a visit to Cozumel, MX…it’d be perfect!

Focused on communicating
effective brand building messages
to diverse audiences

As for the movie, it’s a toss-up between Aliens and Braveheart. Both have determined and victorious heroes in seriously compromising and dangerous situations. Both are powerful underdog stories. Both are thrilling and inspiring.

What’s your favorite book?

Anything written by Malcolm Gladwell, the author of David and Goliath, Blink, Outliers, and others. I love his brilliant perspective and his unique observations. It’s so obvious he is passionate about his craft. Such interesting reading.

  • Technical expert
  • Keen team player/leader
  • Diverse industry knowledge
  • Ad/Design Agency background
Gotta hobby?

Yes. I love to paint, build sculpture, and exhibit my work throughout the US. My first exhibition was in New York and since then I’ve been fortunate enough to be shown at Brown University, RI, Mary­land, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Kansas. For me, it’s a labor of love.

/ Corporate Identity

/ Graphic Design

/ Strategic Market & Brand Planning

/ Promotional Campaigns

/ Event Planning & Management

/ Photography

/ Research & Analysis

/ Radio

/ Film

Strong man

100’s of award-winning projects in brand development & strategy campaigns, advertising & marketing, logo & identity packages, cinematography & film, website design, radio & television advertising, graphic design, musical jingles, special public relations events, mixed media campaigns, illustration, photography, environmental graphics, interactive media, exhibitions, packaging, & video.

National Addy Award

American Advertising Federation’s
Hall of Fame

Eight District Addy Awards

The Addy’s Special Judges’ Award

92 Regional Addy Awards

Best Cartographic Award

APTA Grand AdWheel

Four APTA Gold AdWheels

International Faith-Based Design Annual

PR Society’s Regional Award

PRINT Magazine’s Design Annual

PRINT Magazine’s Design Annual

HOW Magazine’s Design Annual

Summit Award for Creative Excellence

Architectural/Construction

William Andrews Architects • FinishPoint • Southern Walker Landscape Design

Boating

Brunswick Boat Group • Master Craft Boats • Boston Whaler • Bryant Boats • Numarine International • Island Packet Yachts

Business-to-Business

Corrugated Roll Corporation • TechCoat • Thermocopy • Landair

Educational Institutions

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers • Webb School of Knoxville/Camp Webb • Tennessee State PTA • AZ State PTA

Energy & Technology

Northrup-Grunman • Remotec-Andros • Radian

Healthcare

Team Staffing (nursing employment) • Best Nursing Service • UT Medical Center • Arkis Biosciences • Cintilight LLC

Hospitality/Restaurants

HotelNewsNow.com • Anderson County Tourism-TN • Riverside Tavern • Parkside Tavern • Lakeside Tavern • Westside Tavern • Bullfish Grill • Subway • Del Moro’s • Cotton-Eyed Joe’s

Insurance/Financial Planning

U.S. LawShields • Asset Planning Corporation • Providence Advisors • Burkhart & Company, P.C.

Legal

Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis, P.C. • Gentry, Tipton, Kizer, & McLemore, P.C.

Manufacturing

Crescent Socks Corporation • Peavey Electronics • Phillips-Magnavox • Willocks Brothers

Municipal/County/State Governments

City of Knoxville-TN • Anderson County Government-TN • Memphis MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)-TN • Knox County MPC (Metropolitan Planning Commission)-TN

Non-Profit

American Cancer Society • Epileptic Foundation of East TN • Emerald Youth Foundation-TN • Cornerstone Church of Knoxville-TN • Crossroads Church of Newnan-GA • Impact Ministries-GA • Living Faith Church-WV • Mercy Hill Church-ID • Sovereign Grace Church of Atlanta-GA • Sovereign Grace Church of Maryland-MD • The Growth Source-TN • Volunteers for Christ-TN • Homes of Love-TN

Retail & Products

English Mountain Spring Water • Coal’d Water Distilling Corporation • Zoomerz Convenience Stores • Jewelry Television • HeatShields

Theater/Entertainment Groups/Arts

Regal Entertainment Group • Regal Cinemas • Giant Records • Scripps Networks • Hornsby Gallery

Transit

SRTA-State Road and Tollway Authority, Atlanta, GA • Knoxville Area Transit  (KAT) • Chattanooga Area Regional Transit (CARTA) • Gwinnett County Transit-GA • Cobb Community Transit-GA (CCT) • Smart Trips-TN • TDOT • Bristol Transit System • Clarksville Area Transit • Franklin Transit Authority • City of Gatlinburg • Jackson Transit Authority • Johnson City Transit System • Kingsport Area Transit System • Memphis Area Transit Authority • Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville) • Oak Ridge Transit System • Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley • ETHRA • NET Trans • RTA (Nashville) • Mid-Cumberland HRA • Northwest TN HRA • South Central TN Transit • Southeast TN HRA • Southwest HRA Transit • Upper Cumberland Area Regional Transit System • Riverside Transit Agency (RTA-California)

Wanna Connect?