Brian Phillips
About Brian Phillips
Brian Phillips is the Founder and Director of The Basement, an integrated agency in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has extensive experience in academia and the creative industry, having served as an adjunct professor and held leadership roles in various organizations, including founding the MG Collective to support Indiana's animation industry.
Work at The Basement
Brian Phillips is the Founder and Director of The Basement, an integrated agency based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He co-founded the agency in 2007 and served as CEO until 2021. Under his leadership, The Basement focused on integrating creativity with digital technology, guiding vision, product development, and creative strategy. The agency gained recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., making it onto the Inc. 5000 list within seven years. After transitioning to the role of Director in 2021, he continues to influence the agency's direction and growth.
Education and Expertise
Brian Phillips studied at ITT, Indianapolis Campus, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Visualization from 1996 to 1999. His educational background laid the foundation for his career in creative direction and digital technology. He has shared his expertise in storytelling and creative direction through speaking engagements at various industry organizations across the United States.
Background
Brian Phillips has a diverse professional background that includes roles in academia and various creative industries. He served as an Adjunct Professor at Ball State University's School of Art for 11 months in 2010 and at Indiana University's School of Informatics for four years from 2006 to 2010. His early career included positions at MediaSauce and The Schneider Corporation, where he focused on creative growth and animation, respectively. He also worked at Pearson Publishing, developing writing curriculum used nationwide.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Brian Phillips has contributed significantly to the creative industry. He founded the MG Collective in 2010 to support Indiana's animation industry. He played a key role in establishing The Basement as a prominent agency, recognized for its rapid growth and innovation. His work has been featured in notable publications, including Fast Company, Inc., Bloomberg, and Advertising Age’s BtoB. Additionally, he served as a Board Member for People for Urban Progress from 2019 to 2022.
Current Role at The City League
Since 2019, Brian Phillips has been serving as a Special Advisor at The City League in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this role, he provides strategic guidance and insights to support the organization's initiatives. His experience in creative direction and digital technology contributes to the development of innovative solutions within the league.