Creative Director / Marketing / Senior Design / Print / Digital / Web
Resume:
KURT A. VALENTA
Glenshaw, PA 15116
qnheu9@r.postjobfree.com
www.linkedin.com/in/kurtavalenta
412-***-**** Home
724-***-**** Cell
Portfolio: www.kurtavalenta.com
Password: oneafter909
QUALIFICATIONS
Award-winning creative professional accomplished in gaining in-depth brand understanding and launching high-quality, effective and unique initiatives in both Web and print that exceed expectations and deliver results. Demonstrated commitment to client service and sales in multiple marketing disciplines. Strategic execution, meticulous attention to detail, and quality-focused results which lead to retention and growth in revenues
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 - InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash
15+ years experience - CMU trained creative director with a strong design/art history aesthetic
Thrive in creative problem solving - disciplined information and asset organization skills
Demonstrated business expertise with strong client and vendor relationships
President and founder of design boutique for 12 years -- annual sales reaching $1.25M
Targeted budget analysis, projection, and management abilities
Strong mentor and collaborative leader skilled in fostering creativity and innovation within team environments
Proven ability to articulate creative ideas and reasons clearly and effectively to senior management and clients that produce results, increase billings and land new accounts
Strong client service and sales disciplines
Manage accounts directly with clients and through agency services; proposal writing, billing processes, new business pitches and strategy development
Creative process driven manager with deep range of experience in asset creation and execution
Experienced in proposal writing and time management processes and development
A multi-conceptual thinker/designer with expert typography and illustration skills
Expert print designer and production specialist - Collateral, Packaging, Signage, Events, Exhibits
Experienced Web designer/producer of highly interactive Web sites, banner/digital ads and social media promotions
Refined understanding of user experience, site functionality, interaction, user interfaces and site navigation, wire frames including Web 2.0
Assist client services in new business development and creating new upsell opportunities within existing accounts both Web and print
Disciplined and richly experienced account manager of project development/processes and initiatives in both Web and print
Develop and manage marketing budgets from 10K - $2M
Team player who thrives in multi-tasking creative culture
WORK EXPERIENCE
Aquent – Thermo Fisher Scientific – Pittsburgh, PA
Senior Designer / Marketing • 2012 – present
Branding, Packaging, Print, Events & Exhibits, Signage, Web Design, and Micro-Site Design
Coordinate print and Web design marketing/branding for product development of private label products. Manage outside vendors through the design and production processes. Coordinate art and final production with Innerworkings Inc.
Brunner – Pittsburgh, PA
Creative Director / Design • 2005 - 2011
Brand Identity & Standards, Events & Exhibits, Interior Design, Print, Packaging, Signage, Audio + Video Production, Social Media, Web Design, and Micro-Site Design
Lead in-house and contracted design staff including copywriters, photographers, videographers, illustrators, architects, designers, and production groups. Interface with clients to define brand objectives and pitch ideas. Develop/manage $100K- $2M budgets. Creative Leadership Team member.
Lava New Media – Pittsburgh, PA
Senior Art Director / Adobe CS Instructor • 2003 - 2005
Brand Identity & Standards, Print, Signage, Audio + Video Production, Web Design, Classroom Adobe CS Instructor
Managed development and executed of award winning branding, marketing, and messaging via Web site, digital, and print channels for major brand client accounts. Facilitated training seminars for ad agencies and corporate advertising/marketing departments.
Valenta Platt Design Group Inc. – Pittsburgh, PA
President • 1990- 2003
Client Services Director, Creative Director, Production Manager: Brand Identity & Standards, Events & Exhibits, Interior Design, Print, Packaging, Signage, Audio + Video Production, Social Media, Web Design, and Micro-Site Design
Negotiated and managed client contracts and vendor contracts, commissions, and compensation.
Reviewed employees for performance and annual bonus compensation. Directed all facets of creative development including marketing, communications, brand building, and exhibit marketing. Oversaw
production specifications and quality control. Led marketing/design team of 10 employees and
managed $25K-$100K budgets per client project. Accelerated company growth with 300%+ increase
in revenue over five years and annual brokering and Web design services sales exceeding $1.25M.
Additional Experience
New Media Group – Adobe CS Instructor | Bradley Brown Design Group Inc. – Senior Designer
| WPXI - TV – On-Air Designer
EDUCATION
Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA
BFA - Design
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
ADDY award winning Respironics Annual Report design. Creative Role: Print Design
Corporate identity system for Respironics. Brand steward for five years. Creative Role: Brand Identity, International Marketing, Print Design, Packaging, Signage, Web Design
Revitalized Atlanta Bread Co. into fresh "cultural fusion" experience that increased franchise value, drove sales growth, improved customer satisfaction, and met owner's vision for business. Creative Role: Rebranding, Interior/Exterior Design, Marketing, Print Design, Packaging, Web Design, Social Media
Branded major metro arena and home of Pittsburgh Penguins, CONSOL Energy Center, by creating entire brand identity including design, production, and installation of all branding elements and graphic standards. Developed video and Web standards and best practices. Creative Role: Brand Identity, Event Planning and Marketing, Print Design, Signage, Interior/Exterior Design, Web Design, Video Production
Increased Beazer Homes sales by 20% over prior year, despite recession and record foreclosure environment, by designing high-ROI marketing campaigns focused on government-backed rebates. Creative Role: Brand Identity, Marketing, Print Design, Interior/Exterior Design, Web Design, Video Production
Won national PRSA awards for Cub Cadet PR campaign that targeted store managers and publication editors. Creative Role: Public Relations, Print Design
Established cohesive brand standards for Bob Evans Restaurants, eliminating random logo usage and inconsistent messaging, by creating brand book with strategic guidance and direction for all aspects of brand. Creative Role: Brand Identity, Print Design, Web Design
Designed public relations campaigns for Zippo MPL and outdoor lines with MPL winning national ADDY and outdoor line winning a regional ADDY/ national PRSA award. Creative Role: Public Relations, Print Design
Created engaging, ADDY award-winning museum space and design complete with story-rich, interactive experiences for CONSOL Energy Welcome Center at CONSOL headquarters. Creative Role: Brand Identity, Multi-Media Exhibits, Event Planning, Print Design, Web Design, Video Production
Played key role in raising $1.1M for American Ireland Fund by planning dinner event for Dan Rooney, Chairman Emeritus of Pittsburgh Steelers and honoring Brett Harvey, CEO of CONSOL Energy. Creative Role: Event Planning, Exhibit Design, Print Design, Web Design, Video Production
Generated nearly $3M in revenue by pitching and landing one national account and one regional account.
Designed annual yearbooks for The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Creative Role: Print Design
WEB SITE EXPERIENCE
www.atlantabread.com
Creative Role: Branding, architecture, site design, contests, e-marketing campaigns, Facebook
www.beazer.com
Creative Role: Branding, design support , e-marketing campaigns, contests
www.bobevans.com
Creative Role: Design support , e-marketing campaigns, Facebook
www.choosecommonsense.org
Creative Role: Client and account management, branding, initial site design, e-marketing campaigns,
exhibits and event strategy/marketing
www.consolenergy.com
Creative Role: Branding, design support , exhibits and events
www.consolenergycenter.com
Creative Role: Branding, design, e-marketing campaigns, exhibits and events
www.cubcadet.com
Creative Role: Branding, design, e-marketing campaigns, exhibits and events
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/
Creative Role: Client and account management, branding, design
CORE COMPETENCIES
Adobe CS Instructor
Account Management
Shopper Marketing
Trade Shows
Creative Manager
Client Proposals
Marketing Plans Signage
Brand Development
E-Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Video Editing & Production
Creative Direction
Exhibit and Events
PR Placement
Web & User Interface Design
HONORS & AWARDS
Regional / National Silver and Gold ADDY's
AIGA
PRSA National
Communication Arts
2006 Regional ADDY Judge, Lansing, MI
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Adobe CS 5.5 - InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, After Effects
Microsoft Office
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