About | Lauren Albee

As an art director and creative director, I’ve always been drawn to big ideas and the discipline it takes to bring them to life. Over my 12+ year career, I’ve been fortunate to help lead global campaigns for brands like Starbucks, Activision, Diageo, Google, and more, learning something new with every project and team along the way.

I’m currently based in Richmond, Virginia, where I lead the creative for CarMax’s entire paid advertising ecosystem across the full marketing funnel (spanning brand, sports, social, digital, B2B, and in-store work), all done in collaboration with our internal creative team and external agency partners. At the heart of it, I care most about telling stories that build brand equity and drive tangible business results.

In my spare time, you’ll probably find me hiking, camping, renovating my house, harvesting oysters with my husband, or hosting shows at my DIY music venue in Church Hill. Follow @Bellwether_Garage for information on upcoming shows.

work

CARMAX

Richmond, VA

Creative Director, Brand (Mar 2024 - present)

CRISPIN PORTER BOGUSKY

New York, NY

Creative Director (May 2022 - Mar 2024)

ARTS & LETTERS CREATIVE CO.

Richmond, VA

Creative Director (Oct 2020 - Apr 2022)

Creative (Apr 2019 - Oct 2020)

72ANDSUNNY

Los Angeles, CA

Sr. Art Director (Aug 2018 - Mar 2019)

Art Director (Jul 2016 - Aug 2018)

Jr. Art Director (Aug 2015 - Jul 2016)

OMELET

Los Angeles, CA

Jr. Art Director (Jun 2014 - Aug 2015)

Creative Intern (May 2013 - Aug 2013)

BRODERICK COMMUNICATIONS

Richmond, VA

Brand Builder (Jan 2012 - Jun 2012)

GINGER GRIFFIN MARKETING & DESIGN

Charlotte, NC

Design Intern (Oct 2011 - Dec 2011)

education

VCU BRANDCENTER

2012 - 2014

M.S. Business // Branding & Art Direction

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

2007 - 2011

B.S. Mass Communications // Creative Advertising

volunteering

BELLWETHER GARAGE

Richmond, VA

Co-Founder & Owner (Jun 2023 - present)

Bellwether Garage is a vintage motorcycle workshop and community music venue in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood. We create accessible, grassroots cultural experiences that bring neighbors together while supporting local musicians with a platform to experiment, perform, and share their work. I oversee all marketing and social media for the space, helping grow our audience and amplify the artists we host.

Article: Style Weekly Musical Mechanics

Article: Style Weekly Top 40 Under 40

VIRGINIA MOTO CLASSIC

Richmond, VA

Co-Founder & Board Member (Aug 2021 - Aug 2024)

Virginia Moto Classic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Richmond, Virginia that was founded in 2021. Our goal is to celebrate and preserve the tradition, history, and culture of motorcycling—encouraging restoration, maintenance, and riding of vintage motorcycles. Our core initiative is an annual vintage motorcycle rally, where we raise funds to support other public charities.

awards

BRONZE CLIO MUSIC AWARD

Category: Use of Music Craft - Casting & Performance

Brand: CarMax

STYLE WEEKLY TOP 40 UNDER 40

Recognized for cultural leadership and community impact through co-founding The Bellwether Sessions, a grassroots live music platform supporting independent artists.

WEBBY HONOREE

Category: Advertising, Media & PR - Best Viral PR Campaign

Brand: Tito's Vodka

WEBBY NOMINEE

Category: Advertising, Media & PR - Brand Strategy

Brand: Tito's Vodka

D&AD SHORTLIST

Category: Animation/Motion Graphics

Brand: Chromebook The Adulthood

ONE SHOW MERIT AWARD

Category: Design Craft + Animation

Brand: Chromebook The Adulthood

GOLD RICHMOND AD SHOW

Category: Production

Brand: Chromebook The Adulthood

SILVER RICHMOND AD SHOW

Category: Advertising

Brand: Chromebook The Adulthood

BRONZE RICHMOND AD SHOW

Category: Non-Traditional

Brand: Feetures

SILVER ARF DAVID OGILVY AWARD

Category: Tech & Telecommunications

Brand: Chromebook

SILVER EFFIE

Category: Electronics

Brand: Chromebook

CANNES SILVER LION

Category: Social & Influencer