Sales Representative

CREATIVE Director

Qualifications Summary

Dynamic, innovative, and self-directed manager with extensive experience in

art direction, business operations, marketing management, online marketing,

social media, production management, web and logo design. Utilize well-

crafted background in providing creative direction for company production.

Excel at organizing, improving, and implementing operational systems needed

to execute objectives in fast-paced, creative industries.

. Exhibit outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving

abilities

. Display excellent sense of design and talent for conceptualizing

creative solutions to achieve clients' goals

. Obtain solid knowledge of industry tools used in researching and

monitoring new trends and technologies

. Exemplify effectiveness in multitasking in a demanding, deadline-

driven, and challenging work environment

. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of sales and marketing techniques,

strategies for building strong client base, and systems to facilitate

consistent follow-up as well as to foster customer satisfaction

. Possess ability to work well with people from clients, account teams,

writers, designers, programmers, and production artists

. Has a broad experience in coordinating with multiple functions

including training and support

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Michael Ledajaks Creative Direction, Chicago, IL

Creative/Art Director 2009-Present

Oversee primary responsibilities, including designing and developing

several websites. Develop retail concepts, building a social media platform

site, including blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, for self-promotion purposes.

. Creatively designed, built, and advertised an entertainment and gift e-

commerce-based business named The Willies Cartoons, a pet project in

collaboration with an artist colleague

. Serves as senior web designer for Taproot Foundation contributing to

the art direction and design of new websites for non-profit

organizations

. Works closely with a prominent local artist to foster strategized

marketing plan and proposal for a future major outdoor art exhibit in

Chicago

- Competently performed assigned tasks and roles, including initiating

the art festival concept, as well as budget projection and location

scouting; preparing collateral and proposal letters; and interfacing

with business owners, developers, bankers, and city officials to

obtain support and secure sponsorship

Omnicom Company, Corbett Accel Healthcare Group (CAHG)

Art Supervisor ( Corbett, Chicago, IL 2007-2009

Art Supervisor ( Surge, New York, NY 2004-2007

Art Director ( Corbett, Chicago, IL 2002-2004

Assumed full responsibility in overseeing day-to-day functions, including

but not limited to, researching branding initiatives and marketing

strategies as well as participating in meetings concerning future and

existing branding campaigns for sales tools and promotions.

. Led and supervised the development of branded advertising and sales

promotion tools, including e-details and collateral pieces for a wide

range of major international pharmaceutical brands for Fortune 100

companies, such as Alcon, BMS, Merck, Astra-Zeneca, Abbott, and

Genentech.

. Coordinated the conceptualization of new branding campaigns, such as

trade advertisements, patient programs, leave-behind kits, and

awareness posters.

. Initiated and implemented impactful direct mail campaigns; rendered

involvement in designing workshops to facilitate better promotion of

creative conceptualization and teamwork.

. Efficiently interpreted creative briefs as well as clinical data; and

art-directed impactful charts and graphs.

. Accepted invitation to travel to New York for nearly 3 years to

provide assistance in the establishment of the newly formed East Coast

office.

. Played an integral role as ambassador, providing effective support in

developing and cultivating creative culture in coordination with a

team of five Chicago associates.

. Provided leadership in maintaining design and production staff

consisting of 20 individuals.

. Served as creative change agent on numerous pre-launch and launch

campaigns gaining various winning campaigns.

. Acquired opportunities to manage and art-direct photo shoots.

. Collaborated with art buyer in purchasing photography and

illustrations, as well as in determining suitable photographers and

illustrators.

Image Studio Ltd. (Core3 Creative), Chicago, IL

Creative Director (Art) 2000-2002

Worked closely with the principal and sales representative to create

innovative self-promotion tools, web design, advertising campaigns, direct

response materials, and various guerilla tactics.

. Art-directed and managed niche communication for Quaker, Gatorade,

ESPN Radio Chicago, Republic of Tea, Elvis Enterprise, and Chefwear.

. Planned marketing strategies and directed the entire production staff.

. Administered several concepts, art direction, client services, and

budgeting projects, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to a radio

station.

Max Design and Advertising, Inc., Chicago, IL

President / Creative Director 1997-2000

Established and operated full-service advertising agency, overseeing day-to-

day operations, including but not limited to, creative services, art

buying, marketing strategies, new business generation, self-promotion, and

client service.

. Designed and developed marketing and advertising campaigns for Fortune

500 leasing company

. Created franchise product launch program for True Value.

. Organized team to facilitate a multimillion-dollar online futures

trading website.

. Obtained insight on entrepreneurial challenges and on how to handle

client relationships from a more comprehensive perspective.

Greenhouse Communications, Inc., Chicago, IL

Art Director 1993-1997

Rendered business-to-consumer (B2C) art direction for major healthcare

systems such as Rush, Advocate, St. Louis University.

. Received various industry awards for hospital campaigns in several

industries.

. Led consumer in organizing advertising campaigns and incentive

programs for small banks.

. Designed and produced complex business-to-business (B2B) print

collateral packages.

EARLIER CAREER

Art Director ( Marketing Support, Inc., Chicago, IL

Art Director ( McCormack Group, Chicago, IL

Art Director ( Design Communications, Inc., Chicago, IL

Art Director ( Accent Communications, Chicago, IL

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Minor in Art History ( University

of Illinois, Chicago, IL

ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS

Senior Web Designer ( Pro Bono-Taproot Foundation

Member ( AIGA (former acronym for American Institute of Graphic Arts)

Member ( Creative Intensive Network

Member ( Digital Advertising Professionals

Member ( Behance

Technical skills

Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), and QuarkXPress

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