Areas of Expertise
• Dealing directly with the GM’s, Account Directors, all outside vendors and corporate personal.
• Manage and motivate creative team
• Dealing directly with the client in design and public relation needs
• Production of all consumer related mailers, direct mail programs, brochures and incentive programs
• Design and implementation of in-house forms and correspondence material
• Established corporate identity, though signage, presentation, and correspondence
• Production of all consumer related mailers, direct mail programs, brochures and incentive programs
Awards
2000 Sammy Award, “Best Direct Mail (Pre-Opening)” client: The Thrush Companies - Block Y
2000 Sammy Award, “Best Community Logo Design” client: New West Realty - Park 1500 Lofts
2000 Sammy Award, “Best Color Ad - Multiple Communities - City” client: The Thrush Companies
2000 Sammy Award, “Best Black & White Ad - Multiple Communities - Suburbs” client: Par Development
1999 Sammy Award, “Sales Center - Suburbs” client: West Point Meadows Builders
1999 Sammy Award, “Best Signage Off Site - City” client: The Thrush Companies - Block Y
1999 Sammy Award, “Best R.O.P. Advertising - City” client The Thrush Companies - Block Y
1983 Danny Award, “Best Automotive Ad in a Series” client: Chicagoland Buick Dealers Association
OAK HILL MARKETING
Advertising, Design, Communications, Public Relations
Oakbrook Terrance, IL
In-house Marketing Department for the Napleton Automotive Group
Senior Art Director / Senior Creative Director / Department Manager
2014 - Present
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A full service ad agency serving the needs of the Napleton Automotive group, nationwide with dealerships
Plus:
• Overseeing the production scheduling of a 5 artist department
• Software updates and computer maintenance
BALASH ADVERTISING
Oakbrook, IL
Senior Art Director: 2012 - 2014
Asked to return to re-organize the department
A full service ad agency servicing the automotive industry.
Clientele:
• Mancari CDJR
• Grossinger Buick, GMC and Hyundai
• Al Pieminte Nissan
THE AIROOM COMPANIES, LLC.
Lincolnwood, IL
Senior Creative Director / Art Director: 2011 - 2012
Home Remodeling and Construction Company - In-house marketing department
CYGNET MIDWEST - Naperville, IL
Advertising, Design, Communications, Public Relations
Senior Art Director / Senior Designer / Department Manager: 2005 - 2011
Art Director / Senior Graphic Designer / System Administrator: 2000 – 2002
A full service ad agency, Currently client base; Industrial, Real Estate, Restaurants, Camping/Recreational and Automotive.
Clientele:
• Portiillos
• Equity Lifestyle Properties
• Mario Tricoci
• The Lofts of Lemont
• Naperville Cadillac
• Slip Plate Industries
• Kuriyama of America, Inc.
Plus...
• Research, purchase and set-up equipment for creative department, creating
an 8-station network
• Training employees on new equipment and software
• Creating a six-month program of updating equipment and software
AR MICHAELS ADVERTISING (A Division of Balash Advertising)
Arlington Heights, IL
Senior Art Director / Office Manager / In-House Account Executive: 2003 - 2005
A full service ad agency servicing the automotive industry only.
Clientele:
• Rizza Cadillac
• Ray and Raymond of Antioch
Plus...
• Daily duties of running an office, placing ads, billing, software updates and computer maintenance
BALASH ADVERTISING - Glendale Heights, IL
Senior Art Director: 2002 - 2003
A full service ad agency servicing the automotive industry only.
Clientele:
Serving 12 local dealerships in the Chicagoland area.
D&B ADVERTISING, MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS - Villa Park, IL
Senior Art Director / Senior Designer / Account Executive: 1998 - 2000
A full service ad agency servicing the real estate industry.
Clientele:
• Thrush Properties
• Park 1500 Lofts
• West Point Meadows
WICKES LUMBER COMPANY - Vernon Hills, IL
Art Director / Senior Designer: 1992 - 1998
Corporate in-house advertising and marketing department for one of the nation’s largest supplier of building materials. Serving, nationwide 125 contractor centers, 16 component plants, and over 450 outside sales representatives.
CREATIVE ADVERTISING & DESIGN, INC. - Schaumburg, IL
Partner / Senior Art Director / Office & Production Manager / Account Executive: 1985 - 1992
Family owned typesetting and advertising studio.
Responsible for overseeing all projects, production, quality control, plus daily walk-in business. Managed staff of three typesetters & four artists/designers.
Clientele:
• Sears/Woodfield
• Motorola Cellular
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
GRAHAM HAYWARD & ASSOCIATES - Evanston, IL
Senior Art Director: 1984 - 1985
Consumer, recruitment and automotive marketing / advertising agency, tailored to out-of-state large corporations.
Clientele:
• The Allerton Hotel, Chicago
• Howard Pontiac (“Howard’s Mother”).
Managed art department and developed budgets. Interviewed and coordinated all freelancer and all print vendors. Primary responsibilities: layout, design, illustration and production of consumer, recruitment, automotive ads, direct mail, and training materials.
GUSTAFSON / SHIELDS ADVERTISING, GSA - Chicago, IL
Art Director - Automotive & Consumer: 1983 - 1984
A heavy automotive ad agency representing over 30 dealerships nationwide.
Hired and managed art department, budgets, freelancers and outside vendors. Developed presentation layouts, design, storyboards, comps, ad production, and direct mail materials
JORDAN / TAMRAZ / CARUSO ADVERTISING, JTC - Chicago, IL
Art Director/ Consumer Division: 1982 - 1983
A full service marketing / advertising agency with clients nationwide.
Instrumental in creating/design the print campaign to obtain Chicagoland Buick Dealers Association for agency.
Handled all overload from recruitment & automotive departments.
LONDON & ASSOCIATES, Marketing & Advertising Agency
Chicago, IL
Art Director: 1980 - 1982
Consumer, recruitment and automotive ad agency.
Responsibilities included layout, design, comps, illustration & production of all recruitment, automotive & consumer advertising materials.
EDWARD HINES LUMBER COMPANY - Chicago, IL
Artist : 1979 - 1980
In-house art department for a Chicago based lumber company.
Responsible for all layouts, design & production of print advertising, such as ads, flyers, circulars, and direct mail. Specializing in black & white illustrations of product and new stores elevations.
References available on request / Will consider relocation