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Digital Marketing Strategy Specialist
Lake Forest, IL
Nov 2022 - Present (1 year 5 months)
Focusing on managing website, affiliates, and strategies aimed at improving SEO and increasing engagement and conversions.
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Digital Marketing Specialist
Itasca, IL
Feb 2022 - Nov 2022 (9 months)
Responsible for developing and executing digital content to support objectives across channels; execute cost-effective digital marketing projects and communications to drive brand awareness, sales, and integrate business data to result in creative content strategy; with an eye towards data, deliver insightful and impactful solutions.
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Creative Direction, Art Instruction
Arlington Heights, IL
Aug 1984 - Jan 2022 (37 years 5 months)
• 2020, 2021: Updated cross-platform 115 page Home Instead Senior Care Employee Handbook
• 2020: Developed original Logo design and created tri-fold brochure for Therassage
• 2019: Creative solutions to showcase a large collection of images in Brochure design for Bloom n Toss
• 2015: North Suburban YMCA, assisted in the set-up of new digital media lab taught digital art classes to children ages 6-11; National Safety Council, magazine pages for Safety+Health, Family Safety+Health; Art instructor for Bottle & Bottega, Arlington Heights; Police Marksman e-magazine for Hendon Media Group; Deerfield Art instruction for Rivellino School of Art, Long Grove; Redesigned newsletter for Maryville Academy, DesPlaines; Marketing materials for Permatron, Elk Grove Village
• 2014: Led Robert Morris University peers in entrepreneurial simulations resulting in first place revenue and profits 2013
• 2012: Created logo for health care product
• 2011: Freelance design (Bosch, AT&T), packaging, catalogs, posters, flyers, logos
• 2010: Volunteered to assist first grade class with computer instruction, Artist Awareness program
• 2000: Murals featured on Oprah's "My Favorite Rooms" show and North Shore Homes magazine
• 2000: George S. May, Park Ridge, managed cafeteria renovation
• 1999: Caremark, Lincolnshire, managed cafeteria renovation mural paintings
• 1998: UniTech PrePress Solutions LTD Commodities, created ads
• 1997: Paddock Publications, managed cafeteria renovation painted 40ft mural, created picnic-themed wall sculpture; American Academy of Pediatrics, redesigned newsletter, graphics, illustrations (7 yrs); Romane/Rega Inc., cologne packaging, brochures, (7 yrs); National Safety Council Illustrations for magazine, (7 yrs); Elk Grove Park District, designed logos for Pavilion, Illustrated Park District covers, (2 yrs); LithoTech Inc. "Hands Across America" national lithograph
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Digital Marketing Specialist
Itasca, IL
Aug 2020 - Jan 2022 (1 year 5 months)
Responsible for developing and executing marketing communications and digital content that support the objectives of Top-Line and iNSPIRE Q brand across web, SEM/SEO, email and other digital channels. Collaborated with Merchandising, eCommerce, Marketing, and Creative teams to create and execute cost-effective digital marketing projects and communications to drive brand awareness, sales, and support the B2B and B2C customer journey. View samples at inspireq.com @inspireqhome
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Graphic Designer
Arlington Heights, IL
Sep 2015 - Jun 2020 (4 years 9 months)
• Seized every opportunity to do more and add value to every project.
• Creative ideas/suggestions resulted in successful results across all platforms.
• Discovered solutions and developed processes to improve productivity.
• Managed consistent branding across print, web, signage, events and social media • Designed, created and updated content across print, web, signage, events and social media
• Illustrated conceptual drawings for Annual Report, fundraising, and exhibits
• Tracked analytics across website and social media engagement
• Executed high quality photos and videos to be utilized across channels
• Photography and video editing
• Handled internal printing and production needs work with outside printers for a variety of projects including promotions, marketing materials, invitations, annual reports, letterhead, envelopes, business cards, brochures, books
• Redesigned corporate and marketing collateral for consistent branding across all materials
• Website transitioned from a Drupal platform to WordPress to enhance user experience and responsive design
• Samples at kcmgc.com and @playkcm
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Graphic Designer
Des Plaines, IL
Oct 2011 - Mar 2015 (3 years 5 months)
• Redesigned website, January 2014, designing wireframes for consultant, uploading images and content
• Worked with consultant to update branding across all media including print, website and digital ads
• Managed design of monthly "Inlander" publication
• Created print brochures, posters, banners, and other items as needed for conferences and events
• Developed web banners and designs; managed online content
• Created mobile icons, splash screens, and graphics for the official app of the 2013 - 2015 "Key Executive Mega Conferences"
• Effectively assisted and trained contractors in transition to take over creative efforts
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Graphic Designer
Arlington Heights, IL
Jul 2009 - Nov 2010 (1 year 4 months)
• Designed and produced three B2B monthly publications ("GPN"; "Water & Waste Digest"; "Imaging Technology News")
• Redesigned "Greenhouse Product News" logo and magazine
• Processed, preflighted, designed and tracked advertising associated with each publication utilizing Proteus, Launchpad, Cumulus, Digital Asset Management, and Pitstop
• Edited monthly videos for "HortTV" utilizing Final Cut software
• Produced trade show curtains and posters
• Designed home page, ads, and illustrations for "CaliforniaSpringTrials.com"
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Corporate Manager of Design
Arlington Heights, IL
Aug 2002 - Apr 2009 (6 years 8 months)
• Supervised award-winning Editorial Art Department team of five Managed performance reviews of three
• Managed major redesigns of Daily Herald and Reflejos products with outside design consultants and in-house departments
• Led the transition to the 50-inch web format in 2002 and with the 48-inch web format in 2007
• Developed and produced Editorial Design Style Guide reference manual
• Provided technical support and training of style guidelines
• Managed interdepartmental brand consistency and uniform applications of design philosophy
• Participated and led company-wide Strategic Meetings and Management training sessions to support SWOT analysis aimed at quality improvements, revenue generation and new product developments
• Developed TIPS (Together In Promoting, Sales, Subscriptions, and Stories) committee to encourage and reward employee involvement in lead generation
• Worked with managers and staff at all levels to support internal and external branding efforts
• Consistently exceeded design expectations evident in yearly Employee Excellence Awards and Employee of the Year Award
• Designed, updated and managed corporate Intranet Wiki pages
• Produced award-winning daily and weekly page designs, illustrations, informational graphics and locator maps
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Daily Herald / Presentation Editor, Features
Arlington Heights, IL
Apr 1998 - Aug 2002 (4 years 4 months)
• Received the Society of Newspaper Design Excellence Award and PRINT's Regional Design Annual for concept and design of 9/11 Memorial Flag
(Came up with the concept to publish the name of every victim, organized by alpha, organization, and place of death, with all names designed into the American Flag as a lasting tribute to the tragedy and impact on the entire country).
• Developed and managed editorial design style guidelines.
• Provided technical support and led training sessions of style guidelines to copy desk, page designers and editors.
• Managed major redesign of the newspaper with an outside design consultant and in-house departments
• Won numerous Peter Lisagor Awards for single-page designs and special sections resulting in increased single-copy sales
• Created original daily news and feature story illustrations with a wide variety of art mediums
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Graphic Artist
Arlington Heights, IL
Aug 1986 - Apr 1998 (11 years 8 months)
Created daily locator maps, graphics, illustrations, and weekly page designs utilizing traditional methods to layout stories on grid paper, typography specs, form-a-line tape, cut-and-paste, Rapidiograph pens, presstype, overlays, Rubylith, stat cameras, and VDT terminals; Worked with photographers to set up studio shots, set up props and hand paint backdrops.