Craig Swoboda

Bud Light Family, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Busch Family, Goose Island, Ritas, and more...

• Create and manage creative assets for premium light brands as it relates to package design, brand identity, and digital marketing strategies.
• Mange creative process that includes presentation of creative briefs, conceptual designs, final artwork approvals and online approvals for final production art.
• Analyze and achieve cost and time savings in AB's creative process by implementing an internal digital approval workflow saving the company an average of $36,000 annually and countless hours of proofing.
• Implement and maintain a sustainable workflow for promotional/commemorative packaging for championship sport sponsorships for same week sales to retail events.
• Train and consult team members (2 art director - 2 graphic designers - 2 production artists) to maintain quality standards and achieve departmental goals.

• Develop strategies and managed projects from concept through delivery.
• Design packaging, newsletters, brochures, corporate identity packages, ads and invitations.
• Work with printers on bids, turn around times and artwork specifications.

client list includes: Vi-Jon - Fair Saint Louis - St. Louis Rams - Hautly Cheese - Keller labs - Plaza Motors - Dog Treat Naturals - Biomérieux - Scobis - Norwood Country Club - Quintessential Catering

Cutter, Garden Safe, Hot Shot, Repel, Schultz, Spectracide

• Created and managed creative assets for the entire Home & Garden division as it relates to package design, brand/corporate identity, and print/digital marketing strategies.
• Restructured creative team, after reorganization of Spectrum Brands, to better support the marketing team and to gain fiscal and productivity efficiencies while keeping all creative in-house.
• Analyzed and achieved cost savings in Spectrum Brands prepress process by implementing thorough internal prepress checklist and digital 1st proofs saving the company an average of $20,000 annually.
• Analyzed and achieved cost saving in Spectrum Brands mockup process for sales line reviews and plan-o-gram requests. With the addition of a diecut plotter and a more organized workflow, the department saved over $12,000 annually by eliminating the need for temporary employees. As a result, the department achieved better prints and production efficiencies.
• Trained and consulted team members (three art directors & one graphic designer) to maintain quality standards and achieve departmental goals.

• Managed and developed the creative assets for package design, brand/corporate identity and print/digital advertising for overall marketing strategies.
• Restructured creative team (Advertising & Packaging) to better support the organization and to gain fiscal and productivity efficiencies while meeting departmental goals.
• Analyzed entire Save-A-Lot portfolio of 178 brand names and reduced the total count to 72, while outlining a plan to redesign the entire portfolio utilizing in-house creative and outside resources. This project saved the organization over $100,000 in trademark fees as well as adding clarity to every category.
• Met and reviewed brand strategy concepts with management team to approve projects.
• Coordinated, created and completed several large scale design projects at the same time.
• Trained and consulted team members to maintain quality standards and achieve departmental goals as it related to corporate/ brand identity, current trends, color theory and image manipulation.

Cutter, Garden Safe, Hot Shot, Repel, Schultz, Spectracide

• Developed and supported strategies related to package design, P.O.P. and advertising. Led team on large scale projects to maintain high quality standards and to meet deadlines.
• Designed retail brand packaging, catalogs, flyers, ads, brand identities and P.O.P. • Performed and managed the details and progress as lead of projects from concept through delivery.
• Worked in partnership with brand managers to produce consistent quality and establish a better understanding of the brand's needs.
• Trained and consulted team members to maintain quality standards and achieve departmental goals as it related to corporate/brand identity, current trends, color theory and image manipulation.
• Coordinated and styled photo shoots.

Betallic Balloon Co., Boxco., Courtesy Products, Keefe Group, Riddell Footwear, TRG Accessories

• Led team on large scale projects to maintain standards and timelines.
• Created package designs, newsletters, catalogs, flyers, ads, brand identities, trade show graphics and websites.
• Performed and managed the details and progress of team projects from concept through delivery.
• Worked in partnership with internal clients to produce consistent quality and establish a better understanding of the company's needs.
• Coordinated and styled photo shoots and called on printers and other vendors for project specs.

• Responsible for package design, P.O.P. and advertising.
• Designed new packaging for Schnuck's private label products.
• Designed in-store P.O.P. displays, brand identities, invitations, brochures, flyers, graphics for banner ads and website, logos for departments, out-house vendors and special events.
• Called on printers, paper houses and other vendors for project specifications.