Meet Doug.

Doug Hardee doesn’t back down from a challenge. His stories of redemption and perseverance are as inspiring as they are entertaining. He motivates others to persevere through adversity with his humor and personal experiences as a Vietnam war veteran, award-winning creative director, published author, and music fanatic. His irrepressible personality, positivity, and creative energy inspire others to embrace every opportunity let nothing stop them from pursuing their passions

Native Floridian Douglas Hardee has enjoyed an award-winning career as a copywriter and Creative Director at a number of high-profile advertising agencies. He has worked in Atlanta, New York, Toronto, and Tampa, where he created a plethora of powerhouse advertising campaigns for a diverse roster of clients, including: Outback Steakhouse, Publix Supermarkets, Coca-Cola, Chick-Fil-A, Hershey’s, Labatt’s Beer, Johnson & Johnson, Independent Life, Gate Petroleum, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Circle K Florida, and Bono’s Bar-B-Q, among others. Doug has also contributed many advertising articles for Advertising Age, the bible of the industry.

He is the recipient of numerous national awards including Clios and the top prize for the International Broadcasting Awards for “World’s Best Commercial.” Doug is also one of the few Creative Directors in the Southeast to have won three Cannes lions; one Gold and Two Silver.

When he’s not writing his novels, Doug consults for clients via his marketing firm, the Hardeegroup. He has lectured on branding and marketing at the University of South Florida as well as advertising and business clubs across the country. Doug attended the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, with a minor in Theater Arts. Prior to that, he was given life coaching by the U. S. Marine Corps.