Carly Richter
VP Account Director at Leo Burnett

Jon is one of the most collaborative creative partners I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Not only will be go above and beyond for the work, but he’s also very business-minded and puts the needs of the client on par with the needs of the creative aspiration. He’ll challenge account and strategy when it’s necessary but always comes forward with a solution. He’s the kind of partner you want at your side whether you’re going 200 mph at 9pm at night or you’re throwing around ideas to stretch the possibilities of “what if”.

Caroline Holyk
Freelance Creative Director-Writer

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who radiates more creativity, enthusiasm, and genuine humility than Jonathan. (Especially after over a decade in advertising!) He’s naturally conceptual. He can’t help coming up with “just one more idea,” and he’d die before he presented one that was merely good enough. Thought starters pour out of his head every hour of every day and there’s nothing he loves more than sharing them with others and creating something really big—and meaningful. He’s a “we” not “me” kind of creative. Jonathan loves mentoring junior teams as much as he loves learning from people in other capabilities. If you have a sports league, he’ll join it. If you have a birthday, he’ll decorate your desk. If you have to work through the night, he’ll be the only reason you’re still smiling at the end of it. (Unless you hate every song by Tears for Fears.)

Ashton Mitchell Dixon
Global Partner Marketing at Apple

Jonathan was my partner delivering high priority campaign deliverables for our McDonald’s marketing team. Incredibly patient, skilled, and always pushing to make the work better. He goes the extra mile for his team and his client. I’ve seen him grow as a creative leader, and hope we get to work together again.

Matt Dalin
Freelance VP Creative Director Unlimited, FCB, Leo Burnett, Razorfish, BBDO, Cramer-Krasselt, Havas

Jonathan is hungry. I mean yeah, he’s skinny, but more specifically he’s hungry when it comes to advertising. He’s always eager to get going, take on more work, and get to the big idea. He’s the first to raise his hand in a meeting to recommend a better way to do things, or a clearer path to get the creative result everyone is seeking. He’s also a student of advertising in the truest sense. He knows what work has been done before, what’s won awards, and who did it. Jonathan is the guy who’s excited to come into work every day and make great creative. Feed him with a meaty assignment, then get out of his way.

Sarah Uchison
Associate Creative Director-Writer at FCB

Jonathan is one of the hardest working creatives in the business. His relentless drive and passion for making small ideas big and big ideas even bigger goes above and beyond anyone I’ve ever worked with. No matter how long the work week, he eagerly approaches every opportunity with poise and positivity. Out of at We Are Unlimited, there’s no one I’d rather be stuck with at 2am working on a project with.

Emily Walton
Associate Creative Director-AD at FCB

Nobody works harder than Jonathan. The amount of dedication and passion that Jonathan has for advertising has always inspired me! When it comes to being a leader, I believe in his ability to push the smartest ideas forward and to do anything it takes to put the best version of an idea out into the world, regardless of any challenges that may come along the way. Jonathan and I have worked on many successful campaigns together and I hope there are many more to come!

Veronica Appleton
Crain's Chicago #20intheir20s + Professor of Intercultural Communication at DePaul University

Pliego is a true rising star! During my time at We Are Unlimited, I had many moments to observe his work ethic and most importantly, Pliego's passion for creativity. As a psychology fanatic, he once shared "I get lost in the psychology and storytelling behind advertising. It makes people feel something." When he shared these words, I knew I could count on Pliego to strengthen the agency's mission for diversity and inclusion, build rapport with those on his team, manage interns and junior level talent to further their learning and careers, and mostly importantly, develop relationships with the client to enable trust, product innovation and consumer retention. Pliego is a top creative of his time and I wholeheartedly recommend any personal or career goal he may have in mind. He will soar wherever his boots are planted. 

Sacha Reeb
Chief Creative Officer at Manifest

Jonathan is next generation creative. With him, all the lines in between life, work, art and personal experience are blurred. As it should be. Jonathan is a gifted art director, a transformative ideator and most importantly, a fearless innovator. Impressive. In other words, Jonathan is a weapon you don’t want to leave in the hands of your competitors.

Angela Lagon
Senior Project Manager at FCB Chicago

Jonathan is a team player - someone who brings to the table innovative and trendy ideas that spark thought leadership, creative insight and transforms the way we think about creative and how it is executed across channels. He's very open and outgoing and it shows in his work. He brings life to the art and every piece of content tells a unique story of the brand(s) he represents. He knows when to take ownership and be accountable for the work but also when to jump in and get his hands dirty and design. A great asset to any team, Jonathan has his own flair that really shines in any brand work he touches.

Chris Loughlin
CEO Travelzoo (former client)
Currently CEO at Digital Pharmacist

Jonathan developed some great concepts for us. His approach is very positive + constructive. He is interested in learning in detail how people are/will use the product and who those people are, before diving in. He listens and translates ideas into solutions, its not about his ego.