MY CREATIVE PHILOSOPHY

A creative process is a creative process is a creative process. It’s been my experience having worked most of my life in creative fields, that leading a team through the murky waters of the unknown towards a deliverable due date, whether it be a toy, a card, a play, a concert, etc… requires the same things from a leader: a vision that can be clearly communicated, a strategic roadmap of actions that drive toward the due date, and space to let the team stretch their thinking. Of course, there are requirements from the team, as well: engagement, integrity, enthusiasm, and the ability to have fun.

MY GOLDEN RULE

Fall in love with your audience. 

If you can truly fall madly in love with your audience/consumer, then you and your team will learn as much about him/her/them as possible and deliver something that audience/consumer will truly value. If working with a client, find out why the client loves their audience/consumer. If they can’t put this into words, help them define and rekindle this romance.

WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE

I’ve had a fairly wacky and wonderful life filled with varied careers: Actor, Musician, Teacher, Loan Officer, Circus Clown, Greeting Card Writer, Editor, Copywriter, Strategist, Team Director, Playwright, Cook, Singer, Composer, Lecturer, Activist, Fundraiser, Publisher, and Production Manager. These careers are integrated into who I am as a professional and a person. I am at my most productive and satisfied when I am able to integrate my abilities and bring my left and right brain along for the ride. I like to think “outside the box” but value knowing the size, shape, color, and volume metric of said box before venturing outside its borders. I value those who are passionate and thorough in their work approach without taking themselves too seriously. I honor silliness. Above all, I enjoy meaningful work with committed teams of talented people who inspire me. Perhaps, in turn, I may inspire them.

• Skilled and creative concept developer. Works with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, relevant, and grounded creative solutions.
• Strategic thinker highly skilled in consumer empathy and creative problem solving.
• Innovative and creative director with proven track record of successful experience across product formats, merchandising, digital media, interactive channels, e-commerce, and print & virtual catalogs.
• Enthusiastic and active Arts Advocate
• Natural leader with strong presenting skills and personable attitude.
• Forward thinker with the ability to accept challenges with thoughtful prioritization.
• Strong writing skills and great team motivator. Able to communicate with and inspire teams towards excellence in product and productivity.
• Interested in creating superior experiences and solutions with scrappy teams.

EXPERIENCE

PRINTABLE RESUME

Senior Copywriter, Red Six Media  

8/01/2018-Current

• Conceptualize and Develop Creative Campaigns: Lead brainstorming sessions to generate innovative concepts for multi-channel advertising campaigns.
• Craft Compelling Copy & Concepts: Develop persuasive and impactful copy and concepts for a variety of mediums, including digital, print, broadcast, and social media.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with art directors, designers, account managers, and media planners to ensure cohesive and effective campaigns.
• Client Presentations and Pitches: Present creative ideas and campaign concepts to clients, effectively communicating the strategic and creative rationale behind them.
• Brand Voice Development: Develop, establish, and maintain consistent brand voice and messaging across all touchpoints for clients.
• Lead Copywriting Projects: Manage and oversee multiple copywriting projects simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines are met and work is delivered to the highest standard.
• Mentor Junior Copywriters: Provide guidance, feedback, and support to junior copywriters, helping them to refine their skills and grow professionally.
• Content Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute content strategies that align with client goals and drive engagement across digital and traditional channels.
• Quality Control and Proofreading: Ensure all copy is free of errors, aligns with brand guidelines, and meets client expectations before final delivery.
• Research and Insight Gathering: Conduct thorough research to understand target audiences, industry trends, and competitive landscapes to inform creative strategies.
• Collaborate with Media Teams: Work closely with media planners and buyers to align copy with media strategy and maximize campaign effectiveness.
• Content Creation for New Business: Develop persuasive and creative copy for new business pitches, helping to secure new client accounts.

Freelance Writer, Copywriter, Editorial Consultant, Screen Writer 

10/15/2015-Current

Editorial Director and Senior Writer- Hallmark Cards, Inc.

4/25/2004-10/15/2015

• Served as the Director of Editorial for Hallmark Custom Marketing (Alternative Brands and Channels), a business unit that consists of six subsidiary brands/Distribution points (Sunrise, Batesville, UNICEF, Ten Bamboo Studios, United States Postal Service, Wiener Dog) that serve customers (Barnes & Noble, Office Max, Office Depot, Pier 1, IKEA, Staples, etc…) in providing their consumers with innovative and compelling product solutions across a range of formats.
• Partnered with a team of two art directors and six product managers to lead a team of designers and production artists to deliver creative product solutions for numerous programs, catalogs, and clients.
• Developed and delivered new and innovative concepts for consumer-based products for Mass Retail
and online interaction.
• Motivated and communicated with cross-functional teams through the complex processes of conceptualization to manufacturing.
• Partnered with marketing product managers and their teams to develop consumer solutions that drove revenue and brand awareness.
• Conducted and participated in brainstorms with creative teams of writers, designers, musicians, and engineers to develop new formats in the greetings and specialty gift categories as well as marketing messaging and merchandising solutions.
• Collaborated with licensing partners to develop strategic, innovative, and lucrative placement of Hallmark’s vast licensing portfolio. (Notable licenses- Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Sony, EMI, NBC/Universal, Fox, Cartoon Network, Marvel, DC Comics, Warner Bros., Multiple Signature Artists, etc…)
• Played an integral role in developing and structuring the UX for song cards, recordable cards, voice-changing cards, augmented reality products, push-button cards with sound, DVD greetings (partnered with Smilebox), fill-in-the-blank recordable cards, e-cards, Hallmark Social Calendar (partnered with Newput), mobile greetings, and many other formats.
• Developed editorial strategies for new product categories, establishing voice, essence, tone, etc… .
• Served as the interim director of editorial for Sunrise Greetings, a Hallmark subsidiary in Bloomington, IN while operations were relocated to Hallmark HQ in Kansas City.
• Written and/or developed concepts for over 3,000 individual SKUs including greetings, books, and specialty gift product.
• Composed music for and
performed voice-overs for over 150 SKUs. (Studio approved voice of Snoopy and Curious
George)
• Served as chairman for Hallmark’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and
Allies Employee Resource Group, HERE (Hallmark Employees Reaching Equality).

EDUCATION

University of Minnesota  2018

B.S. in Entrepreneurial Studies

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown  College  1992

Graduate of the famed, but now defunct, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, FL. Studied a variety of subjects for Bachelor ‘s Certificate of “Fun” Arts in clowning: juggling, gag development, acrobatics, clowning history. Notable instructors were Bill Irwin, Chuck Jones, Barry Lubin, Dick Monday, Steve Smith, and David Lariblé.  Went on to tour with the blue unit of The Greatest Show on Earth®.

Webster University- Saint Louis, MO  1988-1990

Majored in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre Performance in a conservatory setting. Minored in Music Composition.

Marymount Manhattan College- New York, NY   1987

Majored in Theatre Performance. Recipient of the male scholarship.

SKILLS & INTERESTS

creative management, creative direction, product development, editorial direction, copywriting, advertising, creative marketing, content development, strategic writing, creative strategy development, team leadership, script writing, arts advocacy, acting, musicianship, composing, script development, comedy, public speaking/presenting, advocacy, activism and fundraising for LGBTQIA, youth, animal welfare and homelessness related causes,  cooking, baking, and pysanky (Ukrainian egg decorating- long story)

AWARDS, HONORS & VOLUNTEERING

• Hallmark’s Walking the Talk Award for driving Hallmark’s efforts around LGBTQIA workplace equality and consumer advocacy.
• Numerous local and regional AAF Addy Awards
• Numerous local and regional Telly Awards
• President of Los Amgios Del Sol – Phoenix’s oldest LGBTQIA social and fundraising club (est. 1976)
• Volunteer “Sprinkler” for For Goodness Cakes-a national organization that pairs home bakers with agencies working with children in need