Heather Thornswood

*** **** ******** ****** ( Columbus, OH 43206

612-***-**** ( abm3yk@r.postjobfree.com

AWARD WINNING EXECUTIVE MARKETING & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Expert in Branding, Advertising, and Marketing of Leading Global Brands

Client-Side: Aveda... Estee Lauder... Limited Brands... Target... Marshall

Field's...

Dayton's... House of Dereon... Sean John... Coca-Cola... Toys R Us ...

Experience and Top Agency: Mc Cann Erikson... Bozell Worldwide...

Landor... Rapp Collins

"Vibrant, inventive and consumer-savvy creative director who leverages

vision, business acumen, and keen sense of style to inspire organizations

in valuing and expressing their brands-both internally and externally"

Dynamic Executive Marketing & Creative Director with proven ability to

merge creative talents and innate understanding of consumer trends and

demographics with strong business management skills to build and lead top

performing, quality-focused teams in delivering high-impact marketing and

branding messages. Passionate about trend, image and lifestyle branding.

Track record of developing and re-energizing global brands to be relevant,

differentiated and authentic. Expert in clear and defined brand executions

across broadcast: TV and radio, catalog, print, direct mail, in-store, as

well as interactive design and e-commerce. Well versed in soft-lines and

hard-lines. In depth knowledge of all phases of the print production,

broadcast production and Possesses impeccable taste with the ability to

synthesize complex issues into straightforward strategies and deliverables.

-Key Strengths & Areas of Expertise-

Creative Direction / Strategic Planning / Broadcast Creative and Planning/

Print / Broadcast / Retail In-Store Interactive / Product Development,

Product Launches / Cross-Functional Team Building & Leadership

Brand & Trend Messaging / Visual Presentations / Marketing Collateral /

Strategic Sales Messaging

Project Management / P&L, Budget Management

REPRESENTATIVE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS / FREELANCE ASSIGNMENTS

V Recruited by Toys R Us, to replace their agency of record, to work on re-

branding effort for 2008. Broadcast tested as +70% favorable to consumers

and in Top 10 name/brand recognition of major brands in the U.S. A first

ever for the company.

V Held prestigious positions for leading companies including: VP / Creative

Director-Limited Brands (2006-2007 Exec. Group Creative Director-

Target / Marshall Fields (2000-2006 Creative Director-Penn Garritano-

award winning direct marketing organization (1999-2000 Creative

Director-Aveda/Estee Lauder (1997-1998 Sr. Art Director-Rapp Collins

Communications, marketing communications agency (1994-1997)

V Retained as Creative Director for multi channel campaign and launch of

Beyonce's line of RTW, House of Dereon, also for Sean Combs line of

Women's RTW, Sean John.

V Founder/Owner: designed, produced and marketed "green" handbags as Relan

Corporation, made of 100% recycled materials. Won 6 international design

awards... Achieved product placement in 180+ museums and art galleries

worldwide including MOMA, Guggenheim, The Getty Museum, The Walker,

Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Victoria and Albert Museum... Featured in

New York Times, Allure and Organic Magazine... Named by NPR as the

leading "green" company product (1997-2003)

V Appear and consult with producers of Oprah Show on current beauty and

fashion trends. Provide personal brand management through styling and

wardrobe consulting for clients including FedEx, 3M, Pillsbury, Fox

Pictures, Best Buy, National Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and Wells Fargo

(2004-Present)

V Retained as Freelance Art Director-Luxury, Fashion, Beauty & Retail (1994-

1999) with projects including:

Heather Thornswood / Page Two

612-***-**** ( abm3yk@r.postjobfree.com

Target Corporation-Conceived brand identity, packaging and signing for

proprietary cosmetic brand... designed seasonal and holiday in-store

campaigns... designed / managed children's furniture line.

Peterson Milla Hooks-Agency of record for Target Corp for initial

branding of Target's long-standing and still current identity. Also

conceived / executed seasonal in-store campaigns for Target.

McCann Erikson-Art directed brand identity national print campaigns

for Coke and Georgia Pacific

Allure, Arena, Martha Stewart, Minnesota Bride, Chicago Bride

Magazines-Designed feature layouts and photo direction

Landor and Associates- Contracted as Creative Director on FedEx

JL Buchanon-Designed and developed products for Target and Goody

brand hair accessories.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Creative Director ( 2007 to present

In partnership with TOYS R US, Wayne, New Jersey

Recruited by Toys R Us to engage with branding & marketing departments in a

re-branding effort focusing on the company's key points of differentiation

and refreshing the brands noted icons and brand values and message to have

relevancy in today's retail and pop-culture world.

Representative Accomplishments

. Strategically concepted a break though campaign to using brand's icons

and standards to introduce a new and differentiated campaign.

. Engaging creative and marketing departments in a less traditional

agency style strategy and execution.

VP Creative Director ( 2006

to 2007

LIMITED BRANDS, Columbus, Ohio

Oversaw creative direction of all marketing initiatives (print, in-store,

windows, online and broad-cast)-from concept and design-through production,

for $1.7B fashion brand with 650 retail locations. Reported to CEO,

directed team of 7 art directors, copywriters, electronic production

artists, graphic designers, print managers, broadcast managers, stylists,

and photographers. Partnered with marketing colleagues and CEO on strategic

brand messaging including platforms, graphic look and feel, and delivery

vehicles.

Representative Accomplishments

. Orchestrated new brand guidelines/standards across all communications

and practices.

. Introduced agency-style creative development process and restructured

department, from pool of up to 20+ freelancers into a cohesive

permanent department.

. Slashed photography budget by 50%-from $4M to $2M- through competitive

bidding process.

. Leveraged expertise and industry contacts to procure world class

industry experts/agencies to participate in branding and design

strategies and deliver a comprehensive brand style guide and brand

standards...

Executive Group Creative Director ( 2000 to 2006

TARGET & MARSHALL FIELD'S, Minneapolis, MN

Directed creative and production team (art directors, copywriters,

electronic production artists, graphic designers, print managers,

producers, web designers stylists, photographers) and executed creative

function through series of mergers and acquisitions. Managed staff of up

to 146 and workload; coordinated briefings and status meetings; oversaw

trafficking and production (print, broadcast, in-store and web); handled

budgets. Managed vendor relationships including production and post-

production companies. Reported directly to CCO & CMO.

Heather Thornswood / Page Three

612-***-**** ( abm3yk@r.postjobfree.com

Representative Accomplishments

. Built in-house broadcast "agency" hiring fulltime art

directors/writers and in house producers reducing reliance on outside

agencies and saving $7M annually. Collaborated with key Target

headquarters personnel on broad range of creative / design issues

including workflow / processes, branding, TV, in-store visuals and

product design between 2000-2004

. Set industry standard for brand reinvention, encompassing Marshall

Fields renovation, and re-branding in Chicago, that generated 1.3B+

consumer impressions and delivered $5.4M, exceeding planned ROI

by 34%.

. Directed only in-house team within Federated Corporation to compete in

pitch against international agencies and served as strategic /

creative lead on Macy's 2006 national branding launch and campaign.

. Orchestrated catalog, weekly circular /promotional strategy and brand

look re-invention that streamlined production while elevating visual

and aesthetic appearance.

Principal Creative Director ( 1997-

1998

ESTEE LAUDER, New York, NY & AVEDA, Minneapolis, MN

Provided modern, innovative and inspired "fashion" aesthetic to photo art

direction to position Aveda's "green" and quirky brand a front runner in

print advertising, fashion magazines, web and in-store signing and

promotions. Provided direction of photography, art direction, concepting,

and layout. Organized talent and resources within established budgets and

timelines

Representative Accomplishments

. Created highly innovative solutions for brand accurate promotions and

product development, such as the recycled billboard bag winning

International Design Resource Award, featured in How and ID Magazine

for billboard bag concept.

. Provided creative direction and packing design on launch of new

formulated professional hair care and hair color lines.

. Collaborated with leaders on spa side of business to re-brand and

redesign all spa materials and collateral.

Agency Experience

Creative/Art Director ( 1999 to 2000

PENN GARRITANO, Minneapolis, MN

Formulated creative and strategic plans, established workflow and

organization hierarchy for start-up direct mail promotions agency, setting

high quality standards for team of copywriters, printers, photographers,

website designers, etc. Provided creative guidance to internal and external

teams on projects for clients such as National Geographic, Net Perceptions,

Sci Quest, Imation, Dept 56 and Hollister . Managed creative budgets;

procured and managed resources. Developed proposals and delivered

presentations that generating $1M in new business.

Representative Accomplishments

. Created multi award winning campaigns for clients, including direct

marketing campaign for National Geographic that generated a staggering

75% response rate and delivered $3.7M return on $65K investment.

. Winner of ARC and MDMA (2000 and 2001), DM Agency of the Year.

.

Sr. Art Director ( 1994 to 1997

RAPP COLLINS COMMUNICATIONS, Minneapolis, MN

Art directed and participated in concept, creation and execution of

creative ad campaigns, promotions and direct mail, for international

strategic marketing communications firm clients, Agency clients included:

American Express, 3M, Schwann's, @home, Land o' Lakes, Nestle, and Dow

Chemical

Heather Thornswood / Page Four

612-***-**** ( abm3yk@r.postjobfree.com

Art Director ( 1993 to 1994

Mc CANN ERICKSON, Atlanta, GA

Supported senior art staff and copywriters to develop concept and layout

for existing agency clients, and pitches for new business projects. Clients

include Coca Cola, Bank South, and Georgia Pacific

Art Director/Print Production ( 1992

BOZELL WORLDWIDE, Minneapolis, MN

EDUCATION & OTHER INFORMATION

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MN-Dual Major in Graphic Design and

Music Performance

PEABODY CONSERVATORY/ Johns Hopkins, Baltimore MD-Masters Classes in Voice

Performance

PORTFOLIO CENTER, Atlanta GA-Art Direction

Professional Presentations

University of Minnesota -Board Member of College of Human Ecology: Design

and Costume (2000-2006); Featured Speaker and Portfolio Reviewer;

Advertising Majors and Graphic Design Majors for Seniors:

Advertising and Design in the Real World (2000-2006

College of Visual Arts St. Paul-Featured Speaker and Portfolio Reviewer

(2003-2004

Minnesota College of Art and Design (2002-2006

Columbus College of Art & Design-2006...

Ohio AD FED (2006)

Professional Recognition / Award

RAC Best of Show (2002, 2003 RAC Gold (2004 WWD-Featured 16 times

for Campaign or Design...

Telly Awards-42 Awards (2001-2006 How Magazine (2002 Who's Who and

Self Promotion...

ID Magazine- Feature for Product Development Innovation...

Winner of 6 International Awards Product Design

Computer Skills-Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator.

Microsoft Office.

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