Resumé

Awesome Toys Bannockburn, IL 2010 – Present
Creative Director
•Directed the creative process from concept development to production.
•Defined the product vision and strategy.
•Lead creative review for new business opportunities and partnerships.
•Analyzed market and industry trends to identify profitable growth strategies and product development opportunities.
•Formulated creative solutions by establishing design standards, and generating project plans with proper milestones.
•Managed outside vendors for product prototyping, product design, package design and photography.
•Guided new business development efforts through creation of all digital art assets, style guides, and new product concepts.
•Provided design and product direction to all Asian vendors and factories for product delivery.

CONSULTANT IL/ Hong Kong/China 2005- 2010
Creative Director
•Directed design division in creative strategy implementation, product development and execution, retail packaging, point of purchase merchandising, etc. for Creative Design LTD Hong Kong.
•Managed department budget, timelines, and factory operations in China/Hong Kong.
•Created marketing collateral and style guides for seasonal lines with Neiman Marcus, Target, Wal-mart, Michael’s and Joann Fabrics among others, for Creative Design LTD Hong Kong.
•Trained a diverse creative department of senior designers, traditional artists and sculptors in software, design, and manufacturing.
•Developed marketing and brand strategies for Discovery Channel, Glick Entertainment, WWE, for products lines to be introduced in the market 2010- 2012.
•Designed licensed items for Hasbro Toy Group, Mattel, Disney, Jakks Pacific, Proctor and Gamble, Danbury Mint, Awesome Toys, as well as other small companies.

THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE Niles,IL 2002-2004
Senior Product Development Manager
•Launched new start up direct marketing division Bradford Authenticated developing high-end collectible and giftware programs.
•Created a number of programs with advertising support resulting in steady growth for Bradford Authenticated from 400K to 5 M in 2 years.
•Designed and presented new direct marketing strategies, concepts, and growth opportunities to executive management on a weekly basis.
•Established freelance network that expedited the approval process by 4 weeks.
•Managed the relationships with various licensors to ensure product integrity and quality performance.

CONSULTANT Cincinnati, OH 2000 - 2002
•Consulted for Target, Proctor and Gamble, Hasbro and various small businesses creating effective launch strategies for retail, direct market, and the toy industry. Notable re-launch was of Proctor and Gamble’s Mr. Clean campaign.

HASBRO TOY GROUP Cincinnati, OH 1994-2000
Senior Designer
•Directed the product design and development of popular brands in the boys' action category such as Star Wars, Batman, Superman, Pokemon, Tonka, among many others.
•Organized efforts with Lucas Film LTD, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, among others for brand integrity, product accuracy and authenticity.
•Managed intellectual property and brand development with various Hollywood studios for Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, Monsters Inc., Men in Black 2, Planet of the Apes, and various other properties.
•Initiated the development of core proprietary brands such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, and various from concept, to programming and product execution. Directing front end efforts between major entertainment studios and Hasbro and back end efforts with Orient manufacturers.
•Presented quarterly to senior management and buyers such as Toys R Us, Kay-Bee Toys, and Wal-Mart.

SOFTWARE AND MATERIALS COMPETENCIES

•Adobe Creative Suite
•Alias Sketchbook Pro
•Microsoft Office – Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.
•Materials: Polystyrene , polyvinyl, porcelain, resin, glass, wood, melamine, sisal, glass, polyresin, jute, industrial felt, leather, fabric mache, paper mache, foam, styrene, soft goods, rotational molding, blow molding, injection molding, vacuum molding, decal firing, etc.

Projects by Benjamin Torres