Inventive creative strategist versed in originating and executing profitable corporate and product branding, entertainment marketing designs, and comprehensive marketing campaigns across multiple industries.  Exceptional public relations and marketing skills used to capture national exposure through venues like National Public Radio and the Food Network. Published writer experience in interactive media, website design, public speaking, media appearances, and environmental collateral (signage and wayfinding). Mentor thriving on maximizing the talents of personnel to yield high-caliber results competitive with larger, more well-financed rivals. Skilled project manager excelling in estimating, and budget, client relations and vendor management.

Education
BFA, Graphic Design - California State University, Northridge
Web Design Courses - Otis College of Art and Design

Employment History
2008-Present
Creative Director
Gaiam, Inc.
Retained to create eye-catching key art, advertising, POP and marketing materials for the newly acquired line of products by Discovery Communications. Creating successful campaigns for their full line of content airing on all their networks — Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Military Channel and Planet Green. Successfully positioned the titles into all levels of retail using specialty packaging, displays and retail plan-o-grams. Also developed highly visible and successful packaging for GT Media's catalog titles resulting in high profitability with mass market retailers. 

2004-2008 
Director Of Marketing & Creative Services
Allumination FilmWorks LLC
Revitalized DVD sales by steadfastly championing the use of such marketing strategies as the use of online sales, focusing on profitable target markets, and cost-effective product repackaging to senior leaders and staff.  Motivated and led a 5-person team comprised of a highly skilled Creative Manager, Marketing Manager and 3 Graphic Designers (2 worked remotely in South Carolina). Mapped and advanced the creative process from initial conceptualizations to final execution for key art, trailer production, DVD packaging, screener artwork, copywriting, sales promotions, point of purchase displays, and consumer/retail advertising. Crafted individual project budgets and schedules for each DVD title, skillfully collaborating with all internal departments to drive accurate, efficient project completion. Performed hands-on design work. Infused market briefs with market research, competitive analysis, competitive market intelligence to facilitate product positioning and revive marketplace offerings. Handled department staff recruitment, termination, promotions, reviews, and salary adjustments as a direct report to the company CEO and Chairman. Assigned and managed work to independent contractors, including design studios, freelance artists, copywriters, and printers.

1997-2004 
Senior Design Director
Gregory Thomas Associates (GTA)
Transformed the company from a small family-owned operation into a highly professional entity recognized as a key industry player. Innovated identity designs, graphics guidelines, style guides, user interface designs, packaging designs, copywriting, brand positioning, renaming, and product launches for major clients in the food and beverage, travel, education, healthcare, and Internet industries. Extensive client base included companies such as Kahlúa, Baskin-Robbins, Tia Maria, Qantas Vacations, ANTO, QTTC, NZTB, UCLA, USC, Cal Arts, LAEP, Accent Care and Edmunds.com. Heightened company’s overall professionalism by securing viable, attorney-approved client contracts. Orchestrated art direction, presentations, public relations, traffic management, new business development, and client and vendor relations. Performed budgeting, estimating, scheduling, billing, and purchase order functions using the Clients & Profits systems. Supervised 2 full-time staff and 1-3 freelance designers as dictated by business needs. 

1994-2004 
Freelance Work
Clients include MDA, Ardustry Home Entertainment, Peripheral Resources, Inc., Mustang Marketing, Fledgling Productions, The Lillian Theatres, Wayne Enterprises and Perception DVD. Responsibilities included art direction and design from concept to completion, as well as, client/vendor relations, budgeting, accounts receivable and payable.

Lectures/Seminars
USC School of Fine Arts
lectures on the business of design, 
traditional vs. digital design, and branding

USC Annenberg School of Communications
lectures on digital design and branding

Abilities/Skills
Expert knowledge of print media as well as new media. Strengths in entertainment, editorial, identity, brand management, and information architecture. Excellent team coordination and motivation. Expert in QuarkXpress, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and Clients & Profits. Working knowledge of Wordpress, Flash and HTML.

Awards 
Silver Golden Bell Public Relations 1998 (Queensland Tourism)
Bronze Summit Awards 1999 (Kahlua)
Bronze Summit Awards 2000 (Baskin-Robbins)
Bronze New York Festivals 2000 (Baskin-Robbins)
Sappi Ideas That Matter Grant Recipient (Creatives Against Cancer)

Published Work
How to Design Logos, Symbols and Icons (1st, 2nd & 3rd Editions)
by Gregory Thomas (project manager, design of publication)

Best of Brochure Design 6 
by Cheryl Cullen (featured work)

Color Graphics: The Power of Color in Graphic Design 
by Karen Triedman and Cheryl Cullen (featured work)

Information Graphics & Visual Clues 
by Ronnie Lipton (featured work) 

Media Appearances
The Food Network’s “Memorabilia Unwrapped” (2003)
Special episode on creating memorable brands

Organizations: 
Graphic Arts Guild
Design Management Institute
AIGA/LA
Creatives Against Cancer
John Wayne Cancer Foundation
Team Duke
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Team In Training