Samuel M. Smithers

Plan, write, create and execute content for communications and security platforms. Mobile app and microsite development. Develop user journey roadmaps and workflows. Establish best practices for navigation design, content design, product and experience design. Manage campaign visualization, brand storytelling, and product launches. Provide flawless execution of cross-functional initiatives and project management. (Innovative smart, connected-lifestyle, mobile technologies)

Lead the development, management, and continuous improvement of customer and sales communication assets in both online and offline media.

Managed and protected corporate brands by ensuring consistency in communications, design elements, and strict adherence to brand standards.

Researched and utilized technologies, tools and strategies that continually evolve and improve creative processes.

Experience aligning creative trends in the Marketing Communications industry and applied my knowledge to increase effectiveness toward business objectives.

Created and nurtured an environment of continuous learning to meet the evolving creative and digital landscape.

Foster company culture in the department and throughout the company to ensure unity of vision and fulfillment of our business mission.

Performed all duties inherent in the role of a senior manager including hiring, termination, review and development of associates.

Served as the central point of contact between the creative team and the marketing team as well as additional cross-functional departments and outside vendors.

Managed the day to day assignments and workflow of creative team members. (Tracked hours of assignments, completed projects, and potential red flags.)

Extensive background as client-facing agency creative lead, as well as in house design management.

Partner with Executive Team and Product Line on new project launches. Manage a staff of 3D designers, digital artists, illustrators and video production teams as well as third-party vendors. Manage a monthly production budget of $250,000.00 for all CGI and digital assets per brand. Establish a “best in class” approach to the visual quality of CGI renders, design and photography.

Provide creative direction and concept briefs to guide external agencies and designers.

Maintain a superior level of quality with vendors, ensuring the overall design intent.

Develop standards for CMF, product renders, and image retouching for all brands. (Color, Design, Environment, Form, Materials, Lighting, Texture)

Review and choose talent for lifestyle photography, including set designs and locations.

Manage and track a monthly production budget for all CGI, photography, and digital assets.

Check all CAD/STP files, engineering and industrial design documentation for errors.

Utilize Basecamp, PDMLink, WorkFront and Windchill to track and upload projects.

Manage and adjust workflow or talent resources, according to internal or external schedules.

Support the business unit by increasing sales (EBIT) as a result of new packaging and visual assets.

Collaborate with engineering and industrial design teams to identify key design issues or revisions to CAD or color materials and finishes.

Release final derivatives to internal Graphic Designers and Art Directors for production.

Acted as an experienced print/interactive design leader with strong experience building rich digital environments for Consumer Electronics, CPG, Soft Goods, Hard Lines and lifestyle themed categories. Provided a solid understanding of Design, CGI and photography with an emphasis on extending brands across a broad range of customer segments, resulting in key design features for clients.

Mentored and led creative staff, critique work to maintain consistent brand quality.

Took the lead role in new business development efforts, led creative teams and developed End-To-End CRM. (Digital, Print, CGI, Web, Video, and Product Design assets)

Responsible for creating on-brand, on-strategy and compelling creative work.

Mentor and lead assigned creative staff, critique work to maintain utmost quality; consistently throughout all brands.

Collaborate with Client Managers, Project Managers, User Experience Leads, and Technical Directors on assigned projects.

Solid people management and coaching skills, provides clear creative direction to motivate
and inspire creative teams.

Significant online and offline brand-building experience, including strategic planning and brand execution.

Solid understanding of graphic design and development processes, with an emphasis on extending brands across a broad range of customer segments.

Ability to solve problems with keen instincts, business acumen, and organizational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:
Supervisory - people/department
Creative direction
Design management
Leadership/Mentoring/KPI's
Project management

Marketing Acumen:
Audience messaging
Digital Marketing
Omni-Channel Campaigns
Demand generation
Loyalty Programs (Customer Acquisition and Retention)
SEM
SEO

Additionally:
Creative Leadership
People Leadership
Operational Responsibilities (Studio management)
Problem Solving

Lead cross-functional teams in all aspects of product design, including creative problem solving, rendering, UI, model making, in-home and field testing consumer research. Collaborated with Electrolux design offices in Europe, Brazil, and Stockholm to ensure global identity of ideas and designs. Managed relationships and workflows for sourced products between Electrolux and third party manufacturers. Facilitated outsourced work with design contractors and vendors, both domestically and in Asia.

Design, plan, and delegate strategies with aligned design resources to represent a consistent and dedicated client brand “voice.” Client facing representative for brand specific design deliverables. (Graphic Design, UI, UX, Digital, Mobile, Android / iOS, Industrial Design, Product Design)

Develop design life-cycle pipelines for current and future appliances.

Significant experience designing mobile and consumer electronics UI, desktop software, and web applications.

Participate in design workshops that support forecasted competitive technologies and trends.

Conducted user testing, research, and visualization documentation, that supports consumer personas and product specifications.

Build working prototype models, wire frames, high-quality visual design concepts; detailed screen layouts, work flows and graphic assets.

Balance management, engineering, design and problem solving for each product launch.

Participate in product line meetings for prototypes and final fit + finish reviews.

Resolve issues with CMF; aluminum, glass, stainless steel, plastics, pre and post paint finishes.

Provide sign-off and approval on quality fit + finish for all electrical, mechanical and structural parts.

Take on the lead role as the gatekeeper of all product graphics, and design synergies for North American brands.

Reporting to the CEO, responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of the credit union's marketing programs, business development, communications and advertising campaigns.

Emphasis on marketing strategy, and execution for a rapidly expanding credit union with assets in excess of 200 million dollars, increasing banking memberships by 15% for the year.

Develop marketing strategies for product line advertising through direct marketing, digital, social, and traditional media.

Art direct / storyboards, on-air broadcasts and radio tags, such as the credit union’s auto loan programs and Super Bowl ad.

Developed the first mobile banking and consumer lending application for the credit union.

Drive ideas/campaigns from concept to completion, including day-to-day management of marketing as well as agency/vendor relationships and third party sponsorships.

Support two student run branches, Olympic and Garinger High School in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg County.

Manage sponsorships such as the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets.

Develop and implement brand standards for Charlotte Metro which included a redesign of all financial services including, consumer lending, mobile banking, and web-based banking services.

Responsible for setting the direction for all online content, to maintain excellence through all online channels.

Work with outside agencies on developing advertising plans for broadcast, print, mobile, and web.

Develop creative direction for all Charlotte Metro marketing materials: videos, copy, photography, printed material, trade show graphics, etc.

Develop SEM campaigns and PPC (pay per click) programs

Create and manage the marketing budget.

Serve as the owner and project manager lead for advertising and marketing. From a strategic perspective, this includes interpreting the strategy, understanding our brand, guidelines and strategic initiatives, setting and communicating expectations, scheduling and organizing resources, managing the deliverables and meeting deadlines.

From an execution standpoint: partnering with the creative team, working with the direct marketing team on list segmentation, verifying testing programs, partnering with our third party Email Service Provider (ESP), uploading files, troubleshooting issues, coordinating creation of collection pages, assigning CoreMetrics tracking tags, and scheduling.

Identify, monitor and explain variances to pre-defined strategy for each campaign.

Plan marketing materials for 4 national real estate conventions including Las Vegas.

Design and maintain corporate website and micro-sites.

Design trade show graphics and interactive presentations.

Create Podcasts, E-blasts and write corporate press releases.

Responsible for the accurate production and design of print/digital media for Bachrach, Babie's R Us, Jessica London, Ethan Allen, Chadwick's, National Geographic and Victoria's Secret. Manage all production deadlines, pre-press, vendor support, billing and invoicing for clients.

Review and choose talent for lifestyle photography, including set designs and locations.

Manage workflow or talent resources, according to internal or external schedules.

Release final derivatives to internal Graphic Designers and Art Directors for production.

Direct photography, manage post production such as clipping paths, color corrections, color management and swatch matching using PhotoShop, ColorSpace and Illustrator.

Provide accurate production of digital files by using FileMaker Pro, Pitstop, Instant PDF Maker and TrapWise software.

20% travel to clients for presentations and press checks.

Design product catalogs and collateral for ECMD and Arndt & Herman building materials lines.

Prototype and test websites for the following clients; Jeff Gordon Wines, Newellco, Cheerwine Softdrinks, 131 Main Restaurants, ECMD, and R-Anell Modular Homes.

Design CD/DVD jackets and book catalogs for Baker & Taylor publishers.

Develop web banner ads for The Carolina Panthers Football Team, Cheerwine Softdrinks
and AT&T Communications.

Design of environmental store graphics, pricing systems, fixtures and gondola systems.

Package design of Rubbermaid private label brand packaging and signage kits.

DVD authoring, music editing and video production of interactive promotions.

Responsible for trapping, spec key-lines, folds, substrates, proofing and pre-press.

Act as liaison between clients, photographers, video production firms and printers.

Purchase ad space on radio and cable for national accounts.

Provide storyboards and PowerPoint presentations to clients.

Manage budget and billable hours related to each project.

Build working prototypes of websites, and microsites.

Prepare and edit show reels with Final Cut Pro, facilitate video to production houses.

As a the brand designer I have total ownership of all corporate design initiatives.
My key responsibility as brand designer is to manage the Food Lion Brand.

Provide leadership and creative direction to junior staff members, photographers, freelancers, and advertising agencies.

Create merchandising displays, point of sale signage and environmental designs.

Create environmental design for the annual Food Lion Speed Street & Auto Fair events, in partnership with NASCAR and the city of Charlotte.

Responsible for the development and approval Food Lion's Style Guide of corporate trademarks, logos, brand usage guidelines, and design synergies.

Critique and recommend creative talent, for radio tags and television spots.

Manage consumer initiatives from diversity, community affairs, public relations, real estate, and category management.

Provide art direction for website promotions such as our Special Order Service programs, Free Holiday Giveaways, Lion Shop-N-Share Charities, CIAA and ACC Basketball.

Creation of Interactive trade-show kiosk graphics for Keebler Foods, Con Agra and PepsiCo

Act as design and marketing lead for creating branding and marketing campaigns for the regional medical center. Drive public awareness of superior technologies, compassionate healthcare and knowledge provided by doctors. Responsible for interviewing, gathering content from doctors, department administrators, and key executives.

Supervise the design and the production of website graphics and database management.

Design and update interactive kiosk graphics at Concord Mills Shopping Center and Concord Mall.

Produce quarterly nonprofit newsletter, containing medical news, current technology, and MD interviews for various hospital departments.

Design the set and on-air graphics for NorthEast Medical Center’s cable show.

Create print ads, billboards, and medical TAB inserts for advertising campaigns.

Responsible for art directing photography, proofing and pre-press on all projects.

Responsible for interviewing, gathering content from doctors, department administrators,
and key executives.

Assist in writing copy for promotional events and advertising ventures within the hospital.

Manage quarterly marketing budget and cost initiatives.