I had a Zoom interview with the COO about a week after applying. The interview went great, very natural, relaxed but enthusiastic discussion. I sent a thank-you email. Didn't hear anything back after 2 weeks, so I sent an email to follow up. Ten days later, he replied, apologizing, saying he was rethinking the role as an art director with him as the CD. I was honestly even more interested, because I would prefer art direction to creative direction.
We had another interview. Got weird. He asked for examples of a lot of stuff that I already had in my portfolio, or other things by logical extension any creative would know another creative could do based on their existing work. After all, the skills transfer to a range of clients, and mine were firmly in the ballpark. I told him I would search my Dropbox for anything else that might apply in order to show a wider range than even what was in my portfolio. I did so and sent an email with a download link. Never heard back.
Looks like they changed their plans again and instead hired an associate creative director rather than an art director or the original creative director. This experience, to me, serves as a red flag, so I can't be too upset.