The Name “Don MacLeod”
My name is rooted in old Scotland. “MacLeod” comes from the Gaelic Mac Leòid — “son of Leod” — a lineage that leads back to the Norse-Gaelic clan tradition on the Hebrides and Scottish Highlands. “Leod” itself links to the Old Norse name Ljótr, originally meaning “ugly wolves” but in the warrior culture connoting fierceness and daring. And “Don” (possibly short for the Gaelic Domhnall, meaning “world-ruler”) adds a touch of leadership and individuality. Together, Don MacLeod blends heritage and identity — a name that speaks of centuries of story, exploration, and rooted purpose. I created a character named “Ruler of the Ugly Wolves.” Here is the artwork of the beginning of a merchandise campaign that is buried in digital dust (sigh).
About Me
I’m Don MacLeod, and for more than three decades, I’ve navigated the currents of media, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. From early days crafting content and campaigns to building and advising marketing ventures, my work has spanned television, digital platforms, branded storytelling, agency leadership, and strategic consultancy. I’ve helped vision-driven companies translate ideas into authentic voices and been part of narratives that anchor culture and commerce. I’ve also launched and grown businesses, assembled teams, forged partnerships, and generated creative momentum in spaces where content, brand, and experience intersect. All told, I bring the mindset of a storyteller, the discipline of a strategist, and the curiosity of a perpetual learner — constantly tuning into what’s next, what’s meaningful, and what’s real.
22,000+ Wake Up’s
22,000 + days is more than sixty years of waking up, looking around, making something of the moment, and wondering what comes next. This site isn’t a diary, and it isn’t simply opinion. It’s a curated record: moments of history worth revisiting, cultural snapshots worth remembering, and the work I’ve assembled across decades of media, marketing and storytelling. Here you’ll find reflections written for others to read, revisit — and maybe see pieces of themselves. The thread that runs through it all is simple: after thousands of mornings, perspective matters. These are the observations, lessons and stories I’ve chosen to share — open for anyone curious.