WORK EXPERIENCE Freelance, Chicago, IL, Remote Creative Director/Art Director. 2010 - Present

●     Developed strategic, integrated advertising campaigns for over 20 brands across TV, social media, digital, print, OOH, and retail, delivering high-impact creative solutions.

●     Spearheaded a global creative platform, leveraging the U.S. Kellogg’s Special K campaign across the portfolio of products, partnering with Australian and Canadian agencies to execute cohesive TV, digital, social media, and print campaigns, boosting brand reach and recognition.

●     Drove new business pitches, designed brand identities, and crafted innovative mobile-first campaigns that significantly elevated client market positions.

Clients: Leo Burnett Worldwide, FCB Worldwide, Stern Advertising, Energy BBDO, Cramer Krasselt, Elmhurst Art Museum.

Me Art, Chicago, IL                                                                                                                                                                              Founder/Owner 2008 – 2017                                                                                                                                                                         

●     Founded and launched Me Art, an online design service transforming photos and children’s drawings into personalized, contemporary wall art. Achieved 100% profitability within the first year through strategic leadership in marketing, design, UX, and e-commerce.

●     Led a multidisciplinary team, achieving a 75% customer retention rate. Developed a proprietary website design that enhanced user experience, SEO, and streamlined production processes.

●     Implemented targeted marketing strategies leveraging online advertising and social media, resulting in a 35% increase in web presence and 50% growth in online sales. Established a grassroots company partner program, adding 25 strategic partners.

Leo Burnett Worldwide, Chicago, IL                                                                                                                                                                   VP Creative Director. 1999 – 2008

●     Guided an 8-member team in crafting strategic advertising campaigns that drove brand growth and increased sales for clients like Kellogg’s Special K, MorningStar Farms, Crayola, and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

●     Conceptualized and executed the “Card Work” award-winning Hallmark campaign, resulting in 63 million cards sold in the first 3 months. It was the largest product launch in company history.

●     Partnered with marketing teams to reposition Kellogg’s breakfast cereals as a snacking alternative, boosting sales by 17.5%.

●     Revitalized the Morning Star Farms brand with a viral, integrated social media, print & OOH campaign, achieving a 32% increase in website click-through rates.

●     Launched Kellogg’s Special K Resolution initiative with a Times Square billboard, increasing brand awareness by 25% in the first 30 days.

Clients: Crayola, Kellogg’s MorningStar Farms, Kellogg’s Special K, Museum of Science & Industry, PAX, Public Allies (Art Director) Allstate, Cranium, Disney, General Motors, Hallmark Cards, Healthy Choice, Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Maytag, McDonald’s, Nintendo, Procter & Gamble, Samsung.

Arnold Worldwide, Boston, MA                                                                                                                                                                      Senior Art Director 1996 - 1999

●  Conceptualized and delivered groundbreaking advertising solutions for renowned brands. Pitched and won new business for The Hartford, Hush Puppies, The American Legacy Foundation-Anti-Tobacco, and Airwalk.

Clients: McDonald, Ocean Spray, Champion Paper, Dana-Farber, Cancer Institute, The Hartford, Hush Puppies, Stop & Shop.

SKILLS

Creative Direction                                    

Brand Development                                 

Concept Development                                       

UX Design

Art Direction                                             

Creative Strategy                                       

Digital Marketing

Interactive Marketing

Integrated Advertising

UX Design

Adobe Creative Suite                            

Social Media Marketing                   

Branding & Identity                

RECOGNITION

Cannes Lion-Silver TV

Cannes Lion-Bronze Press Poster                                                                                                               

One Show Merit  

MPA Kelly Award                                                                                                       

AICP Art Direction  

Addy Best of Show London

 Silver Effie 

Clio Awards

Addy Best of Show London

Hugo International TV

Creativity  & Archive Magazines 

Chicago Creative Club-Brick                                                                                            

EDUCATION

Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa -B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication

Major- Radio & TV, Minors- Art, English

Magna Cum Laude, Delta Gamma Sorority, Centro Lorenzo de Medici School of Art, Florence, Italy

Click here to download resume.