Worldview
To understand someone is to experience our world and condition from a perspective that is not our own. It shapes my strategic approach and informs creativity that pushes past "a placement" and into the hearts and minds of people, not consumers. Understanding drives how I motivate and inspire the teams that I lead. It informs how I navigate challenges and conflicts in my personal and professional life. To stop and listen, to fully understand, provides everything needed to make meaningful connections.
Experience
2015-Present
Creative Director
Bozell
As Creative Director at Bozell, I lead and oversee the creative strategy, development and production of omnichannel campaigns for such clients as FNBO, OPPD, NPPD, Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and Make-A-Wish Nebraska. In my day-to-day, I manage and mentor a team of talented Art Directors, Copywriters, Designers, and Production Artists to execute various projects, including integrated campaigns, branding, websites, video and radio production, long-form native content and out-of-home advertising. As part of the leadership team of Bozell, my responsibilities also include helping shape current and future business operations and participation in new business initiatives.
2012-2015
Associate Creative Director
Swanson Russell
After a year of leading the creative development for part of our largest account, FMC Corporation, I was promoted to Associate Creative Director, where I assumed the lead creative role on the remainder of the account. As Associate Creative Director, I helped our account teams create and implement B2B/B2C communication strategies. Additionally, I led the creative team to develop advertising and product launch materials for a diverse group of retail shop owners and farmers across the country. The fully integrated support for this account included brand and communication strategy development, retailer support, direct consumer marketing and event strategy, coordination and support. In addition to creative development, I helped manage and lead the creative department alongside our Creative Director.
2011-2012
Senior Art Director
Swanson Russell
As Senior Art Director, I created visual concepts and big ideas that connected with audiences across the United States. In this role, I helped to create the visual tone and language that successfully launched a regional hospital, Portneuf Medical Center, to a skeptical community in Pocatello, Idaho. In addition, I helped the team brand and introduced a new "library" concept called Do Space, with a mission of providing technology to anyone in need in the city of Omaha.
2004-2011
Director of Creative Services
Turnpost Design Group
After a brief departure, I accepted an invitation to step back into Turnpost to help oversee the growth and development of the creative team. As Director of Creative Services, I continued to create brands and marketing communications for various local and national clients and helped guide the creative approach for many of the other active projects in the studio. This role allowed me to discover a passion for assisting teammates in finding their untapped potential and paved the way for future management roles.
2004-2004
Senior Art Director
Ervin and Smith Advertising
As Senior Art Director, I created big ideas and visual concepts for fully integrated ad campaigns, digital advertising, websites and direct marketing efforts. My role in overseeing the art and design included ensuring our team of designers and production artists executed a quality product within the established look and feel of the brand. Working with the Creative Director and Copywriter, our team set the look, tone and emotion of all B2C communications of the largest client in the agency at the time, TD Ameritrade.
1998-2004
Graphic Designer
Turnpost Design Group
It's here where purposeful creative and attention to craft were instilled in me. As the third member of this small but mighty creative team, I learned how to develop brands, advertising, communications and packaging for local and national brands such as CSG Systems, Home Instead Senior Care and Borsheims. Due to the company's small size, my responsibilities also included account and production management for each client I served. These additional hats helped me learn how to juggle tasks, communicate clearly, and oversee production to completion.
Education
2008-2009
Marketing management program
Bellevue University
1996-1998
Associates of Occupational Studies in Design, Illustration and Computer Graphics
The Creative Center
Skills
Leadership
Management
Team Building
Creative and Art Direction
Creative and Brand Strategy
Graphic Design
Production Design and Coordination