Art Director / Creative Marketing Manager

HEYDUDE / Crocs

2019 - 2023

Heydude is a global shoe company specializing in extremely comfortable and lightweight shoes.

Make them your go-to for comfort and style.

heydude.com

Built an integrated marketing plan to create an organic customer journey through video, lifestyle photography, visually compelling animations, promotions, selective ad buys, social media, email campaigns, SMS, customer service, celebrity endorsements, and influencers.
Updated the website with new features, UI elements for ease of use, like texture and color swatch searches, more images of the product, diverse lifestyle images, descriptions, honest reviews, and faster page loads.
Ideated, planned, and managed photo and commercial shoots.
Created email campaigns designed on the customer's journey mapping from sign-up to checkout with workflows for lead nurturing campaigns, abandoned carts, post-purchase follow-ups, reviews, and re-engagement campaigns.
Integrated new shipping, tracking, and return procedures into the website, email, SMS, and shipping workflows.
Updated web content and created landing pages along with special promotional elements.
Implemented discount programs for veterans and first responders.
Designed an Amazon storefront to engage more customers.
Created several commercials with our eCommerce partner and shipping partner as they merged as one company, showcasing Heydude as the company succeeding using their products.
Designed campaigns and marketing materials for activations at music and art festivals, fashion shows, rodeos, and sporting events.
Designed sustainable bags, boxes, and hangers for shipping and displaying our shoes. Created marketing campaigns on our sustainability models.
Designed POP, signage, displays, and digital (static and video) content for retail spaces.
Leveled up content marketing using 3d designs, interactive HTML elements, GIFs, and influencer-made content.
Built a system for curating and placing metadata on digital assets from photoshoots and influencer content. Created a brand page for wholesale, retail, sales associates, and colleagues to easily find and download assets.
I overhauled how we used and stored data by testing several CMS and DAM programs and implemented one system with collaborating workflows to help manage our customer's journey along with our numerous assets within various CRMs.
Created better KPIs by utilizing data gained from new programs and AI-powered algorithms. Which, helped increase production on key products along with adding data on where to place ads in new or old markets.
Managed, hired, and mentored a high-performing team, in-house and agencies.
Utilized social media platforms to drive engagement and expand the company's online presence.
Oversaw global marketing assets for retailers and marketing groups in various countries.
Designed creative for our warehouses, office spaces, and corporate headquarters.
Led successful product launches by developing compelling messaging, coordinating cross-functional teams, and implementing effective go-to-market plans
Collaborated with sales teams to develop targeted marketing materials and tools to support their efforts in driving customer engagement and conversion
Oversaw the planning and execution of trade shows/events/conferences ensuring seamless logistics coordination from booth setup to post-event follow-up activities
Monitored advertising/promotional programs' performance against goals/KPIs; made data-driven recommendations for optimization
Increased social media engagement from 2,000 to over 4 million unique followers across all platforms through strategic content planning, community management, and influencer partnerships.
Developed strong relationships with key stakeholders (internal/external), including vendors/agencies/media partners/influencers, etc., to drive successful collaborations
Created compelling sales enablement materials such as presentations/case studies/sales scripts that effectively communicated product value propositions/benefits/features
Evaluated emerging technologies/tools/platforms relevant to marketing activities; recommended adoption when appropriate for increased efficiency/effectiveness
Mentored junior team members, providing guidance/support/training opportunities for their professional growth/career development
Cultivated strong relationships with industry influencers/bloggers/journalists/media outlets, securing positive press coverage/opportunities for thought leadership positioning
Leveraged data analytics tools (Google Analytics/Amazon/Tableau) to track campaign performance/KPIs/metrics; generated reports/dashboards/presentations summarizing findings/recommendations
Spearheaded market expansion efforts into new geographic regions/markets, identifying target segments/customers/partnerships, etc
Developed brand guidelines/style guides/templates, ensuring consistent messaging/design across all marketing collateral/channels

Creative Director

Lynk Marketing

2017 - 2020

Lynk Marketing is a small agency working on campaigns for small corporations, non-profits, casinos, schools, sports organizations, and events.

Collaborated with shareholders, executives, and other creative leaders to set project deadlines and content goals.
Presented project information, including deadlines, budgets, and finished projects, to executives and clients at annual meetings.
Hired, mentored, and managed an effective team of professionals.
Researched, created proposals, and oversaw campaigns to acquire new clients.
Led a team of creative professionals in the development and execution of innovative marketing campaigns
Developed brand guidelines to maintain consistency across all marketing materials
Conceptualized and designed compelling visual assets for print, digital, and social media platforms
Provided art direction and feedback to designers, photographers, and copywriters to ensure high-quality work
Created engaging presentations for client pitches, effectively communicating ideas and concepts

Art Director / Print Manager

Touchpoints

2015 - 2018

Touchpoints was a firm that dealt with casinos, concerts, festivals, government organizations, and local businesses. I provided Art Direction for web development, ads, posters, events, animations, and commercials. I oversaw the print department, designing and producing various-sized assets.

Grand Isle Restaurant

Island View Casinos

Churchill Downs

Fairgrounds Race Course

Riverwalk Casino

Harlows Casino

City of Gretna

Managed the print production, ensuring timely and high-quality deliverables.
Designed, printed, assembled, and delivered large interactive displays for casino floors.
Produced posters, car and door wraps, billboards, tickets, signs, cards, and other small needs.
Designed motion graphics and 3D elements for commercials, gaming devices, and print designs.
Provided creative direction to enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of marketing materials. Mentored younger designers and interns.
Project manager on website redesigns for government clients and casinos.
Planned, filmed, edited commercials, promotional, and product videos.
Purchased and set up equipment, and materials that elevated print production.
Ordered supplies and performed maintenance on printers, equipment, and computers.

Art Director

M Design Studio

2013 - 2016

M Studios was a design firm focused on digital and print Marketing. I was responsible for overseeing the art direction for several casinos, events, and concerts.

Managed the data assets for all clients and set budgets.
Responsible for designing, directing, and managing the development of clients' content over print, web, mobile, and television.
Directed and managed junior designers, senior designers, copywriters, and developers.
Created commercials, websites, posters, tickets, and event displays for concerts and venues.
Designed and managed email campaigns for multiple clients.

Marketing Manager / Senior Graphic Designer

Netchex

2010 - 2013

Netchex is a B2B SaaS company focusing on Payroll and HR solutions. I signed on at its startup stage. I helped build a brand image that gained them recognition as a Fortune 5000 company in their first 5 years.

Netchex.com

Conducted extensive market research to identify target audience demographics, trends, and competitors.
Develop an effective marketing plan to reach new clients in other states and gain a strong standing in the local community.
Created multiple websites and whitepapers for brand awareness.
Oversaw branding of the design elements for the app and web application.
Created a brand identity with documents, signage, presentations, calendars, business cards, letterheads, e-mail campaigns, company brochures, logos, company clothing, signs for the building, billboards, and I.D. badges.
Helped create a yearly client convention called Netconnect. Brings together clients and sales associates for a day to showcase new innovations and releases. Ends with a private concert by a local New Orleans music act. Partnered with clients, hotels, and event spaces to build an experience. Ran large presentations with guest speakers, the CEO, and other coworkers on new releases. Designing all elements of the experience, website to sign up, badges, class material, powerpoints, interview booths, lobby and event signage, swag bags, and company-event merchandise. I booked the acts and speakers and arranged for their accommodations.
Started the company's social media and integrated it into the websites, web application and app, emails, webinars, digital and print campaigns.
Organized local Charity events and created company apparel for events.
Filmed commercials for social media, TV, and radio.
Planned, filmed, and edited training videos on how to use the web and mobile app. Placed them all on a sub website that sales associates could access from anywhere.

Senior Graphic Designer / Marketing Manager

PMC

2007 - 2011

PMC delivers the most comprehensive marketing initiatives in the world.

Created digital and print marketing material
Managed eCommerce websites with over 6,000+ products.
Staged video and photo shoots for lifestyle and product images for the website and marketing material.
Contributed to the development and implementation of brand strategies to increase brand awareness and recognition both locally and globally.
Created event marketing materials for large conventions.
Built sets and displays to showcase the ability of the products, machines, and services.
Developed the social media for multiple accounts.
Created annual and quarterly budgets for ad spending on the web to increase sales on newly developed websites.
SEO-optimized websites and products to reach new customers.
Designed POP and signage for storefronts
Created billboards and promotional signs

Instructor / Marketing Associate

Shell Oil

2003 - 2007

I worked for Shell Oil at a training facility for offshore specialists and executives who needed training or re-qualifications. I had numerous jobs and eventually went on to teach a few classes.

Taught a class on safety for crane qualifications.
Taught a class on how to escape a helicopter if it went down in route to or from an oil rig.
Created curriculum materials for classes. Printed and bound books of course material.
Built a website for the facility and integrated it with Shell to allow for secure use.
IT support for classrooms and executives.
Maintained training grounds facility.
Assisted personnel with accommodations while staying at the facilities.

Boatswain's Mate / Military Police

U.S. Navy

1997 - 2003

I joined the Navy in 1997 while still in high school. I was stationed in Hawaii and served in several rates while in the military. I started as a boatswain's mate driving the ship. I worked in IT for a while, fixing communication lines and updating computer systems. I later transitioned to a military policeman in the end.

Piloted the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, USS Lake Erie (CG 70).
Managed deck operations, anchor handling, and mooring.
Participating in Navy ceremonies, flag raising, burials, and awards.
Operated RHIB boats, small boats, tugs, barges and other small craft.
Maintained various large gun mounts and small firearms to ensure proper functionality and accuracy.
Maintained information technology systems to support operations.
Performed routine maintenance and repairs on equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Provided effective leadership and direction to a team of individuals.
Directed boat crews in landing and rescue operations.
Stood watch as a lookout or Boatswain Mate of the Watch.
Served as a member of damage control, emergency and security alert teams.
Provided security and physical protection for service members
Security and shore patrol duties
Served as a security advisor
Conducted waterborne security patrols and interdiction operations
Conducted preliminary investigations into Uniform Code of Military Justice violations
Conducted crime prevention programs with local law enforcement