PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Brookfield Properties  Senior Director, Creative & Brand Strategy  September 2016 - Present

  • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing creative team, creating and owning the consumer branding for Brookfield Properties 140+ retail centers and corporate identity. Holds full accountability for fostering and maintaining relationships with outside vendors, creative partners and contractors. 

  • Work hand in hand with marketing team to deliver innovative experiences that drive customer loyalty and return visits to retail properties. Create digital, print and video materials to support all marketing programs. 

  • Direct photo and video shoots for all marketing materials including product, location, food photography and video.

  • Oversee design, production and development of multiple web properties, both internal and customer-facing.

  • Ensure that local advertising is relevant and aligns to the individual market. 

  • Responsible for updating the corporate branding to reflect a modern, progressive brand. Updates include website, B2B presentations, identity materials (business cards, letterhead, templates), office signage and decor.

Breakthru Beverage Group  Senior Manager, Digital Creative & Design  May 2014 - September 2016

  • Established Creative Direction and led in-house creative department of the second-largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States. Managed and inspired the creative team, provide leadership and motivation while driving brand awareness, establishing brand partnerships, and defining world-class strategies.

  • Fostered strong relationships with multibillion-dollar global brands, distributors, executives, and agency
    partners, ensuring a collaborative and goal-achieving operation.

  • Directed creative and user experience for the company’s first e-commerce site through all stages of concept and development including design, user testing and pilot program.

  • Managed email campaigns, ensuring creative and message is consistent to all customers while also using list segmentation to provide a targeted experience.

  • Oversaw the creative and branding of Wirtz Beverage and its merger to become Breakthru Beverage. Led the team that was responsible for bringing the Breakthru Beverage identity to life though internal and external channels as well as creating a visual identity for the new company. Coordinated with senior leadership and external consultants to deliver and communicate the brand message across an international footprint of 30+ states in the U.S. and Canada.

Claire’s Stores  Manager, Global Digital Creative  June 2011 - May 2014

  • Led digital creative within the company, managing a team of 8 designers, copywriters and photographers.

  • Direct creative on the team that designed, developed and executed the first e-commerce sites for both claires.com and icing.com. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sites including design, photography, user experience and copywriting.

  • Created, staffed, implemented and managed an internal photography studio that was responsible for approximately 500 product shots per month. Art directed all other e-commerce related photography such as homepage features and fashion shoots. 

  • Created, implemented and oversaw email campaigns for both claires.com and icing.com.

  • Managed and mentored internal staff, and supervised all creative work performed in-house and by external resources.

Sears Holdings Corporation  Interactive Designer   February 2009 - June 2011

  • Developed and led creative for online campaigns for Sears Holding Corporation brands including ManageMyLife.com, sears.com and kmart.com.

  • Evolved site design for ManageMyLife.com, based on feedback from user testing and market research and implemented site enhancements as well as new features and functionality.

  • Designed websites, interactive marketing materials, landing pages, emails, banner ads, social media and mobile apps.

  • Worked closely with User Experience Architects and Developers to create thoughtful and user centered design.

  • Collaborated with and directed off-shore teams in the development of the Manage My Life mobile app.

The Townsend Agency  Senior Art Director   November 2006 - January 2009

  • Led all aspects of the creative process and collaborated with copywriters in creating integrated campaigns, collateral, websites and advertising for clients such as Allstate, Discover Card, Quill and General Motors. 

  • Partnered with management and clients to ensure effective and consistent communications and advertising across all mediums.

  • Ensured agency quality standards and client objectives were met.

  • Oversaw production team and worked with printers and other vendors to ensure high quality materials.

  • Participated in new business development efforts, leading creative teams and presenting work.

  • Managed numerous creative deliverables for multiple clients that were on competing schedules.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE


Bradford Group, Senior Art Director — August 2003 - November 2006
O’Brien Advertising, Senior Art Director — February 1999 - December 2002
Karsh/Hagan, Art Director — September 1996 - December 1998

EDUCATION

Creative Circus - Atlanta, GA Art Direction Program
Bradley University - Peoria, IL Bachelor of Science, Communications