Resumé

Ruth Green-Synowic  Naperville, IL 60563   rsynowic@gmail.com
Creative product design and development manager with expertise in toy, gift, retail, and promotional products. Proven success creating new product solutions, interpreting client objectives, and evaluating opportunities. Entrepreneurial, self-starter capable of managing multiple projects within tight deadlines and adapting quickly to shifting priorities.Active in Toy Industry events; blog author for globaltoynews.com.  Creativity & Innovation Product Development Design Client/Licensor Relationships, Presentations Market & Trend Research Project Management Creative Strategy & Process Copywriting
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THE MARKETING STORE, Lombard, IL 1995-2011
Global promotional marketing agency creating business solutions for QSR, cereal partners, retail, events, and interactive.
Vice President, Product (2010 – 2011)
Reported to CCO and lead a Creative group of 12 in the development of promotional product for McDonald's Happy Meals, General Mills, Yoplait/Go-Gurt, Energizer, and Kraft. Developed and pitched product concepts for retail ventures with Wild Planet, Baby Abuelita, Wal*Mart, Target, Toys 'R Us, and Dollar Channel. • Improved industry standing of TMS’ Creative Product group through ‘expert’ visits/talks and by participating in key industry events: NY Toy Fair, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Chicago Toy & Game Fair, Elmhurst Museum “Toys in the Hood” exhibit. • Streamlined creative and model development process which eliminated redundancies, incorporated 3D digital modeling development and shortened development timelines, which increased client savings and reduced back-end development time. • Partnered with Shopper Marketing and Retail Business Marketing to merchandise Baby Abuelita product for Wal*Mart, Target, Toys ‘R Us. • Directed copywriters, freelancers, packaging designers, studio/media services in the development of in-store experiential materials for global theatrical promotions, including: POP, POS, trayliners, signage, drive-thru, and product for Shrek 4 and Rio global promotions. • Evaluated new projects and allocated resources to assure most efficient, on brand, innovative results – considered talent, timeframe, cost, and creative output. • I was awarded two internal peer awards for Creative excellence.
Senior Creative Director (2003 – 2010)
Directed, managed, and trained creative team of four in the development of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys for global markets, and product for retail toy and gift markets. • Presented creative process to McDonald’s Moms’ Quality Correspondents and Good Morning America, June 2009. • Defined creative strategy, rationale, and increased sales. • Conducted employee reviews and provided input on hiring, promotions, and disciplinary action. • Lead design and development of McDonald’s Under 3 Happy Meal toy programs for infants and toddlers. Created new McDonald’s character, Little Ronald. • Received U.S. Patent for innovative concept design - Finger Puppets with Sounds; Patent issued April 2006. • Developed innovative client presentations that set new standards within the department. • Coordinated projects across multiple departments including Marketing, Industrial Design, R & D, Licensing, Engineering and Safety. • Managed multiple programs under tight deadlines, meeting program budgets, maintaining Safety, Client, and Licensor parameters.
Creative Director (2000 – 2003)
Directed creative team of four in the development of McDonald’s Happy Meal and New Business product for global markets. • Implemented new brainstorming techniques for creative development team. • Researched toy trends, play patterns, competitor’s promotions, children's programming and applied knowledge to product programs. • Presented competitive concept programs to McDonald’s Marketing committee. Won 50%+ of programs for TMS. • Reviewed and approved work-in-progress, final drawings, sculpts, and models. • Adhered to program budget, Safety, Client, and Licensor parameters.
Project Manager (1998 – 2000)
Lead a small group of product designers/Illustrators in the design and development of Happy Meal toys for McDonald's, Wal*Mart retail product, Nestle's promotional product and various retail product opportunities. Creative Designer (1995 – 1998) Brainstormed, created illustrations and presentation materials and delivered presentations to clients and licensing partners.
CTI INDUSTRIES, Barrington, Illinois 1992 – 1995
Designer, manufacturer, and marketer of consumer gift products and packaging solutions.
Art Director, Product Development
Reported to Creative Director and managed gift product development opportunities. Evaluated Licensor objectives. Managed overseas and domestic vendors in the styling and execution of prototypes and final product. Delivered pitches to management for retail gift product programs. • Directed the art, engineering, and print production of 2D and 3D Mylar product, ceramic gift product, printed gift product, and plush designs. • Designed and project managed 24 skus of plush. • Worked with multiple Licensors, overseas vendors, and in-house talent to develop and manufacture product for the gift market. • Collaborated with Product Management to create new product lines.
 
BMT Chicago, Illinois 1989-1992  
Premier toy design and development studio in Chicago    
Toy Designer  
Reported to 5 Managing Partners. Researched retail toy trends, mechanisms, and product; brainstormed and illustrated concepts; built working prototypes, and presented concepts to Partners and Toy Industry clients including: Milton Bradley, Hasbro, Mattel, Pressman, Parker Brothers and Galoob.
 
EDUCATION
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois BFA, Illustration Kishwaukee College, Malta, Illinois AS, Broadcast Journalism
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Chicago Toy & Game Group, 2010 to present
Women in Toys, 2007 to present
Blogger for Global Toy News website, www.globaltoynews.com, 2010 to present
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Chicago, 2009 to present

Projects by Ruth Green-Synowic