Michael J. Ray

acr54f@r.postjobfree.com

c) 860-***-**** • http://www.coroflot.com/MichaelRay

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Strong writer. Strong conceptualizer. Strong team motivator. An experienced manager/writer who’s as energized creating results-oriented advertising as he is presenting and selling these ideas. Equally invigorated by mentoring, supervising and inspiring other writers and designers to succeed. Successful Consumer, Educational and B2B Experience In:

• Direct Mail • Catalog • Magazine • Radio & DRTV

• Web/Email • Social Media • Ad Sales Kits • Sales Promotion PERSONAL GOAL: Currently residing in Jacksonville, FL, but looking for opportunities that allow me to continue creating strong advertising as I move myself back to the greater Chicago or Milwaukee areas where my family resides, including my wife recruited back by her old company. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Clients: America Online; The Bradford Exchange; Direct Wines; Belvoir Publishing; Business & Legal Reports; MemberWorks; non-profit theatre groups; others. THE HAMILTON COLLECTION, Jacksonville, FL 2011 – present Creative Manager

As Creative lead, part of management team for collectibles division that improved promotional response rate resulting in a 27% sales boost and increase in ticket and net take within 1 years, and meeting or exceeding creative success goals.

• Challenge team of writers, designers and photographer to transform “product-descriptive” promotions to “marketing-driven” through new formats, approaches and dm techniques

• Concept and oversee 350+ new house-file and acquisition promotions annually, including licensed programs for Precious Moments, Thomas Kinkade, NASCAR, NFL, MLB, Disney and other artists and licensors

• Introduced new approach to causal-driven collectibles, including an Alzheimer themed program that doubled response rate and improved net take

• Transitioned team to a “copy-first” format of promotion to create a better selling story for Hamilton’s fine collectibles

READER’S DIGEST, Milwaukee, WI 2007 – 2011

(Formerly Reiman Publications)

Creative Director

Concepted, wrote, developed and oversaw the development of direct mail, gifts, renewals, cross-sells and web promotions for global marketer of magazines and books.

• Managed a dynamic team of writers and designers working on brands like Every Day with Rachael Ray, The Family Handyman, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Country, Birds & Blooms, and the launch of new Fresh Home and Best You magazines

• Creative liaison for transition of Time-Life card program into RDA family of products

• Spearheaded new hard-hitting billing and dunning series resulting in increased pay-ups of $300,000

• Supported CRM efforts as magazines transitioned from ad-free to ad-based format Michael J. Ray Page Two

SCHOLASTIC, INC., Danbury, CT

Promotion Manager/Copy

Wrote all media for publisher of children’s book clubs (Nickelodeon; Dr. Seuss; Disney; VeggieTales), continuity programs and collectibles. Successfully launched Barbie Book Club resulting in 8.7% pull; beat 10-year control by 46% by creating “One in a Million” customer- retention DM; wrote banner ads for Scooby-Doo product resulting in 11,000+ orders in one week; crafted CRM prototypes for all front- and back-end marketing communications TAUNTON PRESS, Newtown, CT

Copywriter

Hired to create harder selling promotion as corporate direction shifted to more marketing-driven focus for publisher of 7 different special-interest magazines, and books. NEWFIELD PUBLICATIONS, Shelton, CT

Copy Group Head

Wrote response- and order-generating promotions for such products as Weekly Reader, Child Development Toys, and programs branded by Family Circle, McCall’s and Country Living. Promoted twice to Manager supervising other writers and support staff. Received President’s Award for Excellence.

WHEELER GROUP, New Hartford, CT

Senior Copywriter

Wrote sales copy for business-to-business marketer of office and computer supplies, dental “paper” products and greeting cards. Wrote for 7 different catalogs. Awarded " One Standard Excellence Award" for excellence within the Pitney Bowes corporation. STG MARKETING, Fairfield, CT

Copywriter. Full service advertising agency working on industrial, business-to-business and high-tech accounts. Included ads, direct mail, radio and promotional brochures. MONTGOMERY WARD, Chicago, IL

Copywriter. Wrote print ads and radio scripts for Home Furnishings, PAATS and catalog outlet stores.

SWIDERSKI ELECTRONICS, Elk Grove, IL

Marketing Services. Created one-man advertising department that wrote copy, designed layout and mechanicals for monthly self-mailers for electronics engineering company. Worked with typographers, photographers and printers to meet scheduled deadlines. BENTON & BOWLES, Brussels, Belgium

Informal Summer Internship. Consisted primarily of copywriting experience within the creative department working on a variety of packaged goods accounts. EDUCATION

B.A., Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Major: Journalism Minor: Psychology

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