Julia Swain, Brand Strategist @ The Owl Perch llc in Burlington, VT

About

PROFILE

Account Director with experience overseeing the development and implementation of creative processes, designed brand environments and marketing strategies to provide sustainable solutions for clients with recorded ROI. Proven leadership abilities through management of multiple client relationships while mentoring team members, coordinating vendors and managing production.

Software: Mac & PC formats: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office Project, FileMaker, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design, Acrobat, Sketch up, and Cad / Architectural Desktop

Specialties: Operational Administration, Marketing strategies, Social Media Marketing, Brand management, Budgeting, Developing charts, Event Coordination, Financial planning, Recruiting and training, Retail merchandising, Space planning, Strategic planning, and Architectural documentation.

Working knowledge of engineering solutions, building codes, permits, fabrication. Operating experience with machinery such as: Ceramic Kiln, Laser cutter, Vinyl plotters, CNC machine, Spray finishing and wood constructing.

Education

MPS Design Management

Pratt Institute

2006 - 2008

Studies included but not limited to; • Sustainable Development through identifying practical application and allocation of environmental and human resources to create a sustainable advantage • Product development from the schematic design phases to the management of contractors and suppliers to develop time-lines for production and installation of designed solutions • Product research and Documentation of brand Marketing strategies and environmental practices • Managing budgets as large as 500k using excel charts and Strategic planning • Correspondence and materials sourcing with companies in Shanghai, China
BFA Interior Design

Pratt Institute

1999 - 2003

Experience

Brand Strategy and Social Media Marketing Consultant

The Owl Perch llc

Burlington, VT

Sep 2012 - Present (13 years 9 months)

Helping companies develop clear strategies for branding, social media marketing, event planning, product launches and initiatives.
Account Manager

Jager Di Paola Kemp Design

Burlington, VT

Oct 2012 - Dec 2013 (1 year 2 months)

• Management of the Trend/Color/Materials design team and production specialists to produce seasonal coloration and materialization of footwear products for the Merrell, Chaco and Patagonia brands
• General client management including working budgets, scope of work documents, contractual agreements, estimates, purchase orders, and deliverables
• Management and tracking of projects internally and externally from inception through completion, while coordinating meetings, travel arrangements, and process timelines
• Creation and application of team processes to maintain calendar deliverable for the year
Project Director - Design & Build

The Guild

Jun 2011 - Aug 2012 (1 year 2 months)

• Overseeing a team of Project Managers while implementing organizational structure, mentoring, budgeting and assisting in the growth of client relationships with creative brand experiences
• Management of projects and events that contributed to a 20% overall company revenue growth in a year. Developing budgets of upward to 900K through to project completion.
• Produced, budgeted, and installed creative branding environments for Companies including retail environments for Nike, Dior, Juicy Couture, LVMH brands, Starwood Hotels, Hardrock, Dell, and Aol, as well as collaborations with agencies such as RGA advertising, Vice Magazine, NCompass Marketing, Ivey Performance Marketing, Strategic Group, The Participating Agency, and Sub Rosa
Merchandise Coordinator / US Marketing team

L'Occitane en Provence

Aug 2011 - Jun 2012 (10 months)

• Developing and managing International marketing strategies, campaign objectives, launch notes and merchandising standards for 170 stores within the US retail market
• Managing production timelines in collaboration with construction and vendors for new store openings, renovations and events
• Coordination of all visual and marketing communications, props sourcing, window displays and floor sets based on product launches, with 40% travel to Store locations Nationally
Manager / Visual Merchandiser

Puma

Oct 2008 - Jul 2010 (1 year 9 months)

• Management of the sales floor and team to drive daily, weekly and monthly sales goals
• Managing and executing all visual directives, including floor sets, window displays, and layouts based on visual merchandising standards and financial objectives
• Coordination of merchandise including incoming new product, back stock, transfers and replenishment
• Preparing merchandise display reports for weekly meetings based on selling reports, and market trends
• General operational and administrative responsibilities as well as hiring and training new team members
Farm Rep

Cornerstone Promotion

Aug 2009 - Mar 2010 (7 months)

• Marketing and promotions of events, album releases and local performances through external channels
• Event set up, coordination, and on site management with artists from the Fader and Green Label Sound
Project Manager - Interior Design

Peter Millard Design

Dec 2006 - Jan 2009 (2 years 1 month)

• Managed project phases, tasks delegated, and vendor to client coordination
• Provided clients such as L’Oreal, Redken, Ralph Lauren and Cutler with innovative and creative retail and display design solutions resulting in increased product sales and brand to consumer communication
• Coordinated vendor and contractor quotes, production time-lines and final installation
• Managed and developed working drawing sets for salon/spa floor plans and Redken retail fixtures; Selected, specified and purchased materials and furniture that coordinated with the project time-line and budget
Project Designer - Hospitality Design & Architecture

Mancini Duffy

Nov 2005 - Oct 2006 (11 months)

• Designed pragmatic solutions for Fortune 500 Companies including: Deutsche Bank offices, Chase Branch bank locations; Louis Berger Group programming and space planning development, and CIT Branch offices
• Scheduled time-lines for construction and furniture move in dates; Oversaw on-site installations and site surveys
• Produced construction documents, pragmatic design layouts, Power Point Presentations and renderings
Assistant Designer

Commune Design Inc.

Aug 2004 - Nov 2005 (1 year 3 months)

• Managed client relationships including presentations, budgets, and purchase orders
• Delivered strategic design branding solutions for clients including: Estee Lauder and Stila Cosmetics product retail branding and Global store merchandising design; Palisades Group Coop development; Residential home renovations and design; these delivered solutions resulted in a 50% client increase
• Facilitated on-site installations according to time-lines and vendor coordination
• Created architectural layouts, details, perspectives and renderings using Auto Cad, Photoshop and Sketch Up

Awards

Certificate of Excellence Award for Outstanding Merit in Interior Design from Pratt Institute

Affiliations

AIA

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

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On Coroflot

@juliaswain, member since 2011

Julia Swain

Branded Environments Project Manager

Industrial Designer, Packaging – Lead