Mike Kubat
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About
I believe the success I've achieved for my clients can be attributed to a key factor: my ability to wrap brilliant creative execution around equally brilliant strategic thinking. That skill has been developed over 15 years in the retail discipline, on both the agency and the client side, including stints with Target and Best Buy. The result had been a true "best in class" knowledge of shopper marketing, applied to the needs of a diverse group of clients such as Microsoft, Target, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nokia and St. Jude's Hospital. Right now, I lead the HP team for TracyLocke, driving sales across all of HP's product offerings. In fact, my team has most recently been recognized with a Reggie Award for our efforts for the brand. That kind of success comes for simple hard work and attention to detail, plus keen insights, flawless execution and an ability to build, motivate and manage a fantastic team.
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Education
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BFA Graphic DesignMinnesota State University, Moorhead1989 - 1993
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Experience
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Group Creative DirectorTracyLockeJul 2011 - Present (14 years 11 months)
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Creative DirectorTracyLockeAug 2009 - Apr 2011 (1 year 8 months)
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OwnerMichael Kubat DesignFeb 2009 - Aug 2009 (6 months)"Developing smart, strategic design solutions that transcend all channels of communication while creating emotional relevance."
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Associate Creative Director-Design DepartmentBest BuyDec 2005 - Feb 2009 (3 years 2 months)Managed the Best Buy Advertising Integrated Design Team.
• Led an internal design team at Best Buy that created award-winning work; saving the corporation millions in outsourcing costs.
• Managed and designed a Gift Card program which saw an increase in gift card issuance by 20-40% YOY and record-breaking store sales.
• Re-Branded the Reward Zone program, increasing membership from 8MM to 24MM in one year, with half of all Best Buy purchases being made by Reward Zone members.
• Creatively and strategically helped lead the Holiday campaigns for Best Buy in which sales surpassed expectations. Black Friday, Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday set new records for transactions both in-store and on-line.
• Won the pitch against BBDO New York for the Best Buy Summer Campaign. Summer campaign was recognized for cross-functional achievement at Retail Advertising Council Award Show.
• Contributed to the Best Buy Project Holiday Digital Experience. The campaign was recognized by the Retail Advertising Council annual awards show for creativity and depth of integration. -
Sr. DesignerFAME - A Retail Brand AgencyJan 1999 - Dec 2005 (6 years 11 months)Creative concepting, art direction and design.
• Clients included Target, General Mills, Wilsons Leather, Pixar, Dreamworks, Lucas Films, Tiger Woods Learning Center, St. Jude Medical Center, St. John’s University, Callaway Golf, Mervyns
• Produced Target Racing direct mail piece that returned a breakthrough 11% redemption.
• Extinguished last-minute client fires while staying cool and focused. -
DesignerHunt AdkinsJan 1998 - Dec 1998 (11 months)Designed and directed projects from end-to-end.
• Clients included Northwest Airlines, Boston Scientific, GLC, and Domtar Paper.
• Medalist at The Show advertising award ceremony for Domtar Paper promotion.
• Contributed to winning pitch for SciMed account. -
Design ManagerFirst Team SportsAug 1994 - Jan 1998 (3 years 5 months)Designed and directed marketing solutions for the in-line skate industry from inital concept through final production. Managed team of 3 designers for the marketing department.
• Created award-winning work for the in-line skate industry.
• Designed new skate product lines and packaging for the company creating new categories while givng them national exposure.
• Reduced packaging cost by 15% with innovative POS design for Tough Guys Wheels. -
DesignerKilter1998 - 1998
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InternThe Kuester Group1994 - 1994
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Awards
RAC Award winner 2006-2008
Presidents Choice Award-GLS 2008 -
Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@michaelkubat, member since 2008