PJ Loughran (born October 4, 1973) is an American illustrator, musician and entrepreneur.
After graduating from the Parsons School of Design, Loughran began his career as in illustrator doing work for the Op-Ed pages of The New York Times. He has created over 3,000 illustrations for publications and publishers including ESPN, Coca-Cola, Nike, Foot Locker, Guitar World, The Village Voice, Time and Harper's Magazine.[1]
Loughran is the former founder and CEO of Kerosene Creative Services,[2] which he sold in 2009 to Manifest Digital. He served as Chief Creative Officer of Manifest Digital for two years. In 2012, he founded The Distillery, a Chicago/LA-based digital creative and social media agency.
In 2013, Loughran sold the Distillery to Superfly, best known as the co-founders of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN and the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco, CA, where he is served as their Executive Creative Director[3] and then President.[4]
In 2019, Loughran left Superfly to start EMÁJYN,[5] a VIP / executive events firm specializing in high-end corporate experiences, with an emphasis on talent and behind-the-scenes access to entertainment and culture.
in 2020, Loughran founded two additional new companies - LOUGHRAN & CO, a brand marketing agency focusing on brand strategy, content marketing and fractional CMO advisement, and FUNNY WATER,[6] a beverage company that produces 'Hard Water', flavored water with alcohol and no carbonation. The product is available in 9 flavors, contains 80 calories and 3.75% alcohol per serving.
Loughran is also a musician and songwriter. Since 2001, he has completed six albums, Grenadine in 2001, Sunrise Run in 2006, Spinning On in 2012 and McKinley and Miles in 2018 (produced by John Alagia.[7]) and an EP, "Davenport - Songs From Quarantine", detailing his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
In 2023, on his 50th birthday, Loughran released The Good Fight, his first self-produced full length record.[9] [10]
Loughran has toured and opened for many prominent artists, including Maroon 5, R.E.M, Johnny Lang, Martin Sexton, Taj Mahal, Todd Rundgren, REO Speedwagon, and The North Mississippi All-Stars.