Chris Plehal is an award-winning creative director and writer. He has over 20 years of experience creating ads, social media campaigns, websites, tv shows and more.
Most recently, Chris served as VP Creative Director at Oberland, which Ad Age named Purpose-Led Agency of the Year in 2024 and 2025. There, he helped create the “So Many Dicks” campaign for e.l.f. Beauty, which was shortlisted for 10 Cannes Lions, including Glass and Titanium.
Chris is the writer and co-producer of the animated holiday special Yes, Virginia, which has aired annually on CBS since 2009. He also wrote the accompanying children’s book. He has worked on or volunteered with the political campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. Chris also developed projects for the Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, Canal+, and Headspace.
During the pandemic, Chris recreated the entirety of The Lord of the Rings using LEGOs. He has a Wikipedia entry as the creator of Keggy the Keg, the beer-themed mascot of Dartmouth College. His Halloween costumes have been retweeted by John Cena.
He is also a children’s magician known as Mr. Christerious.
Chris lives in Philadelphia with his wife, son, and snorty dog.
plehal@gmail.com 646.463.4781
EXPERIENCE
VP, Creative Director, OBERLAND, 2022-2025
Group Creative Director, RTO+P, 2016-2022
Creative Director, co:collective, 2014-2016
Creative Lead, Google Creative Lab, 2012-2013
Freelance Copywriter: Mekanism, SS+K, Johannes Leonardo, Droga5, The Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, 2009-2012
Copywriter, JWT, 2007-2009
Jr Copywriter, Hill Holliday 2005-2007
AWARDS
Cannes Lions
The One Show
Effies
Clios
Andys
D&AD
Webbys
OBIE Awards
AICP Next
Annecy Film Festival
Radio Mercury
VOLUNTEERING
Penn Environment, 2015-Present
Harris/Walz Campaign 2024
Biden/Harris Campaign 2020
Clinton/Kaine Campaign 2016
Obama/Biden Campaign 2008 & 2012
826NYC 2013-2015
EDUCATION
Dartmouth College, BA in English and Linguistics, 2004
AAAAs Advanced Advertising Program, 2007
The Magnet Theater, Storytelling, 2011
School of Visual Arts, Animation 2011
Upright Citizen’s Brigade, Sketch Comedy 2010-2012
