Select Page

Chicago advertising agency hires award-winning MIAD alum

Wingstop | Thighstop New product launch campaign featuring Rick Ross. Matt McNulty, Creative Director, Leo Burnett - 2021

Wingstop | Thighstop New product launch campaign featuring Rick Ross. Matt McNulty, Creative Director, Leo Burnett – 2021

Chicago-based advertising agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul (OKRP) recently hired MIAD alum Matt McNulty, Communication Design ’13, as a Group Creative Director for Burger King. McNulty teams up with Ben Pfutzenreuter on the account, a creative partnership which began several years ago at Leo Burnett Worldwide. While there, the duo collaborated on Wingstop’s award-winning “Thighstop” campaign in response to the 2021 chicken wing shortage.

Working with big brands is nothing new for McNulty and Pfutzenreuter, whose experience spans companies from Progressive Insurance to Pepsi and whose work has been featured in Super Bowl and Grammy campaigns. “I manage lots of creatives in my job,” says McNulty, “and I believe MIAD equipped me with the perspective to be able to work with lots of folks with differing styles and preferences.” 

McNulty also offers insights for young creatives looking at a future in art and design: “The truest form of art and expression will always be what’s most connected to you, and that’s something people can feel,” he says. “Creativity is a personal journey, and you are enough… MIAD has always been a space of welcoming and uplifting people for their own voice, and I think that’s a really nice energy to bring to our community.”

Stay up to date with Matt’s work, check out Ben’s website, and read more about McNulty and Pfutzenreuter’s new position. You can also read more about McNulty’s success in MIAD’s new catalog.

News

Keith Negley: Award-winning illustrator and writer

When award-winning illustrator and author Keith Negley ’00 isn’t completing projects like his most recent book of “forgotten trailblazers,” he’s creating portraits of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Emma Stone and Chelsea Clinton, and doing editorial illustrations on topics like neurodivergence, organ transplants and the opioid crisis.

Two MIAD alumni named Mary L. Nohl Fellows for 2025

Two alumni from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) have received Emerging Artist fellowships from the 2025 Mary L. Nohl Fund for its 2025 cycle: Margaret Griffin ’23 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) and Open Kitchen, co-founded by Rudy Medina ’12 (Integrated Studio Arts).

FYE Juried Media Arts Festival 2024 celebrates first-year student works

Seven students received awards at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s juried FYE Media Arts Festival – an in-house screening and celebration of video, animation and sound design works by current and former First-Year Experience (FYE) students held on November 26. The 56 entries were judged by multimedia and filmmaking professionals Emma B. Barany, Gabe Leistekow and Sara Sowell.

Independence First and MIAD students produce adaptive clothing

Students in a junior-level Fashion and Apparel Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) collaborated with Independence First to design adaptive clothing. Two Independence First employees worked closely with MIAD students on customized outfits specific to their needs and preferences.