Bio

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Tom Knight

Creative Director/Art Director

Profile

15+ years of experience in creative direction, digital art direction, and copy supervision. Collaborative communicator focused on building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders to foster transparency and trust. Encourages creative exploration and development of innovative designs and targeted concepts that are on-brand. Adept in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments and leading cross-functional teams through the creative process to ensure consistent delivery of superior products that exceed expectations. 

Skills

Branding · Brand Awareness · Visual Communication · Art Direction · Graphic Design · Corporate Identity Design · Customer Acquisition · Event Marketing · Social Media Content

Software/Applications

Adobe Creative Suite (In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), Sketch, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Teams), Basecamp, Invision, Google Suite (Docs, Drive, Chat, Meet), Zoom

Interest in AI skillsets using Chat GPT, Midjourney, DeepLearning.AI

Professional Experience

Knight Advertising Design, Chicago, IL  November 2016 – Present

Creative Consultant

Design and art direction of creative projects for marketing, advertising and PR agencies and direct for clients in a variety of industries including financial services, telecommunications, automotive, retail, oil & gas, power, technology, and energy.
Deliverables included B2C and B2B advertising and marketing materials, programmatic ad campaigns, product literature, experiential trade show environments, and internal / external client product and sales presentations. print, digital, social, video, interactive, events, identity, direct mail, integrated campaigns, and promotions.

Agencies/Clients include:  

The Mx Group: Cox Automotive, Cummins, Holly Frontier, Tempur Sealy, U.S. Cellular

Greenhouse Digital + PR: Greenhouse Digital+PR Rebranding, Grundfos

Peg Paul & Associates: Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Direct Clients include: 

Farin Financial Risk Management, Ingersoll Rand, UV Resources

·  Rebranded Farin Financial Risk Management, repositioning products and services to the financial services sector. Developed new name, designed a logo and identity materials, new website and client portal, product literature, and trade show experience. Rebranding achieved the desired results of building awareness, reaching new customers, and ultimately contributed to a merger with a competitor.

·  Led design of rebranding on Greenhouse Digital+PR, designing multiple brand elements, including logo, stationary, social media assets, and new business presentations to build and drive brand awareness and attract clients in specific industries.

Aspen Marketing Services / Epsilon, West Chicago, IL  September 2005 – November 2016

Creative Director, November 2010 – November 2016

Associate Creative Director, September 2005 – November 2010

Clients included: FedEx, Grey Goose, Sears Craftsman Club, Qwest, AT&T, USAA.

FedEx

My FedEx Rewards, FedEx Updates, FedEx Small Business Center, FedEx Office, FedEx Canada

·  Supervised and mentored 6 to 24 designers, art directors, copywriters, and digital associates throughout the stages of creative and production development for as many as 5 to 7 clients at a time.

·  Directed concept development across multifaceted digital and integrated advertising/marketing programs.

·  Presented ideas and recommendations to C-suite clients to ensure work aligned with expectations.

·  Developed creative communication and design strategies for print, digital, video, interactive, direct mail, and experiential marketing initiatives.

·  Created website promotions and digital/integrated assets for targeted communications that promoted FedEx in North American, Asia-Pacific, and Latin American markets.

·  Led a large corporate initiative to develop a unified My FedEx Rewards loyalty program, which used data-driven customer segmentation to acquire, engage, educate, and nurture customers throughout the customer lifecycle. Fulfilled main objectives to build awareness and drive incremental use of products and services, increasing sales across all seven FedEx business units.

·  Led creative and production teams to create integrated traditional and digital advertising, direct marketing and email campaigns for FedEx U.S. and FedEx Canada clients. Designed campaigns to engage customers using data-driven, personalized communications throughout the customer lifecycle. Leveraged subject matter experts to provide information on a variety of business topics to engage customers and encourage cross-sell of products, and services. Created new content each month to provide timely nurturing experiences on microsites to drive customer engagement.

Grey Goose

·  Designed on-brand event experiences for Grey Goose Vodka. Venues included: U.S. Open Golf, U.S. Open Tennis, Kentucky Derby, Blade Helicopter Tours and events in Las Vegas and New York City. Targeted experiences to customers and key social media influencers to maximize impressions through in-person experiences, broadcast, and social media.

Sears

·  Created and produced +24 monthly unique print and digital (Z-Mag) catalogs (8-24 pages), and direct mail promotions sent to Sears Craftsman Club members.

AT&T, Qwest, USAA Financial Services

·  Directed more than 15 creative and production associates tasked with designing high-quality experiential marketing tours for AT&T, Qwest, USAA, and others to generate leads and new customers.

·  Liaison to associates and teams in three nationwide offices, multiple production houses and outside vendors to deliver finished materials and assets including interactive digital experiences, tactical jeeps, tents, indoor event spaces, and pop-up retail in Professional Sports Arenas, Concerts, Festivals and State Fairs. 

Additional Experience

Associate Creative Director, FCB Worldwide, Los Angeles, CA | Clients: Mattel and Sunkist

Senior Art Director, Kirwin Communications, Park City, UT | Clients: Rossignol and Prijon Kayaks

Senior Art Director, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications, Naperville, IL | Clients: Case IH, Motorola, and Rhone-Poulenc

Education

BA, Graphic Design and Art History

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Awards & Honors

·  Clio Short List

·  Multiple National Agri-marketing Association Awards

·  Aspen All-Stars – Employee Recognition

·  Client recognition from CMO’s at the American Medical Association, FedEx, Mattel, Rhone-Poulenc

Interests

AI/LLM · Professional Growth ·  Travel · Music · Guitar · Strength Training/Functional Fitness · Skiing Camping · Hiking, Dogs