Matthew Gustafson

I’m a multidisciplinary creative leader with over a decade of experience driving brand strategy, storytelling, and campaign execution at scale. My background spans digital media, nonprofit communication, product-driven creative, and purpose-led storytelling — and I’ve built and led teams across content, design, video, and experiential.

As Executive Creative Director at BuzzFeed, I oversaw multi-brand creative across BuzzFeed, Complex Networks, and HuffPost — producing culturally resonant campaigns for Subaru, Amazon, Hyundai, Disney, and more. My work has generated over 1B views, launched products, and earned recognition for both emotional storytelling and performance. Beyond the brand world, I’ve led mission-focused creative for organizations like Stanford School of Medicine and the Food Bank for NYC, where clarity, dignity, and impact drive the work.

I bring a hybrid mindset: creative + strategic, brand-led + data-informed. I love building systems that scale ideas, mentoring diverse creative teams, and working cross-functionally to translate insights into work that actually moves people. Whether I’m pitching a product campaign, directing a shoot, or aligning with growth and ops, I believe creative should connect — to business goals, to human behavior, and to the moment we’re living in.

Open to full-time, fractional, or mission-aligned project work. Let’s build something that matters.

Executive Creative Director
BuzzFeed, Inc. (incl. HuffPost & Complex Networks) | 2013 – 2024

Led creative strategy and campaign execution across multi-brand platforms, overseeing teams of 25+ creatives (writers, designers, producers, editors).

Directed branded storytelling and content for global clients including Subaru, Hyundai, Amazon, Disney, and McDonald’s — campaigns generated over 1B views.

Oversaw cross-platform creative across video, editorial, social, and experiential content.

Collaborated with product and brand teams on packaging, product drops, and content-commerce integrations.

Drove creative operations, budget planning, and vendor partnerships across high-volume campaigns.

Creative Director / Storytelling Strategist (Freelance & Nonprofit)
Ongoing

Developed educational and mission-driven storytelling for Stanford University School of Medicine, including a 10-part patient narrative video series.

Led food equity and nutrition communication campaigns for the Food Bank For New York City, aligning public messaging with social impact goals.

Taught screenwriting and narrative development at Columbia University and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Directed award-winning short films screened at Cannes and international festivals.

Columbia University, MFA (Filmmaking)

University of Washington, BA (Literature + Political Science)