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Senior Manager of Retail Products
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Jun 2013 - Jun 2015 (2 years)
• Brand Manager of retail toy products being sold into major retailers
• Design and Develop products for retail and promotions for Tiniez, Coca-Cola, Southwest Airlines, and
McDonald's
• Attend and present at major tradeshows
• Work with Director of Licensing to bring licenses to market
• Presentations to internal C Level executives as well as major retailers with Sales Director
• Vendor management
• Work closely with Creative, Engineering, Sculptors, Digital, Account Service teams on a regular basis
• Responsible for Marketing initiatives
• Support Director of Sales, Director or Licensing
• Working with our global offices on a creative level
• Assist VP of New Business with plans on putting in place processes and procedures for Toy Busines
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Senior Art Director
Creata
Oak Brook, IL
Feb 2008 - Jun 2013 (5 years 4 months)
Creata Promotions
Senior Art Director Oakbrook Terrace, IL February 2008 – Present
• Lead through example with consistent work ethic, attitude, and professionalism
• Manage a team of designers and work collectively with industrial designers, engineers and account services
• Successfully design and manage client programs from start-up to completion with design team
• Brainstorm and illustrate concepts independently and as a team
• Attend kick-off meetings for varying companies
• Close working relationship with McDonald’s key representatives
• Market and trend research to ensure product and program viability
• Presentations to clients and licensors
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Responsible for compiling and creating presentations
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Sr. Product Development Designer & Product Manager
Los Angeles, CA
Aug 2006 - Feb 2008 (1 year 6 months)
• Creative and on-trend design and develop products for Bratz, Bratz Kidz, Yummiland and Little Tikes Lifestyles
and Activities
• Close working relationship between Design Manager, Senior Product Development Manager, and Senior Vice
President
• Daily communication with Hong Kong Office for cost management and samples
• Ideation sketches and brainstorming
• Manage an extensive product line
• Work closely with packaging and photography departments
• Prepare and pitch sales presentations
• Mentor interns in design and development
• Budget management & market research
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Senior Art Director
Oak Brook, IL
Aug 2006 - Feb 2008 (1 year 6 months)
• Lead through example with consistent work ethic, attitude, and professionalism
• Manage a team of designers and work collectively with industrial designers, engineers and account services
• Successfully design and manage client programs from start-up to completion with design team
• Brainstorm and illustrate concepts independently and as a team
• Attend kick-off meetings for varying companies
• Attend kick-off meetings for varying companies
• Close working relationship with major client key representatives
• Market and trend research to ensure product and program viability
• Presentations to clients and licensors
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Responsible for compiling and creating
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Product Design Manager
Chicago, IL
Apr 2004 - Aug 2006 (2 years 4 months)
• Design and develop products for Mass Toy Division - Vehicles, Infant/Preschool, and Girls Toys
• Manage a team of outside vendors and artists
• Responsible for budget management per each product line
• Travel to the Corgi Hong Kong and UK office to work together with the Design and Development team as well as
the Engineers
• Strong communication between Chicago, Hong Kong and Leicester, UK offices
• Close working relationships with the Global Marketing and Sales Divisions
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Toy Designer
Processed Plastics
Montgomery, IL
Jun 2001 - Apr 2004 (2 years 10 months)
• Responsible for concepts and designs for licensed products for Tonka, Matchbox, Sesame Street, Hot Wheels,
Barbie, and non-licensed products
• Perform control drawings for engineering and prototype departments
• Computer illustrations in Illustrator
• Brainstorm new concepts
• Marker renderings
• Communication with Chinese factories and vendors