David Downing

Since graduating from Oklahoma State in 1980, David has become a seasoned advertising executive — strategic brand development and management, agency organization and leadership, market planning and research, and marketing-communications planning and execution. His experience was earned through progressively responsible, executive-level positions at major Tulsa agencies including Advertising, Inc., Ackerman McQueen, and Brothers & Co., and leading national advertising for corporations such as Thrifty Car Rental and Purolator Filters.

In early 2008, David was a founding partner in a new agency called AcrobatAnt. At its height, AcrobatAnt employed nearly 40 professionals and generated annual revenue of nearly $20 million. David sold his ownership interest and retired — the first time — in 2022.

In January 2023 he accepted the Executive Director role at Pokes With A Purpose, the name/image/likeness collective for OSU Athletics. Working across OSU's athletic administration, head coaches, and athletes, he navigated the uncharted, constantly shifting waters of collegiate sports in the NIL era, resigning in mid-2024 with the arrival of the national class-action lawsuit brought by former athletes against the NCAA.

The itch to work simply proved too much — Catapult followed, with partner Philip Baker. When he's not working, David can be found driving the tractor at his ranch in Nowata County, Oklahoma, or in the Rocky Mountains, always loving on his first grandchild.