Heather Hudson

Credited with maintaining an existing and long-lasting relationship with high-profile clients and developing new business. Excellent at defining multiple project objectives and requirements; interpreting business needs and developing high-quality, creative solutions. Roles and accomplishments to date include:

PROGRAM CREATIVE DIRECTOR & TEAM LEADER
Lead, inspire and motivate to maintain a high performance culture. Responsible for executive creative decisions in-line with the client’s brand while ensuring a cohesive campaign and/or program message. Manage department work-flow, resource allocation and budget. In-demand mentor for junior designers (in-house and client side). Developed and implemented Graphics Tracker, a project ticketing system, using the client’s existing SharePoint software which assists in the management of creative projects from request to completion; records drafts, hours, approvals, file location and cost of each project.

LEAD DESIGNER
Top account’s lead graphic designer and “go-to” for all creative communication collateral needs. Developed comprehensive brand guidelines and trained client’s staff and vendors on the nuances of their program’s identity. Passion for both print and digital design. Expert command of the creative requirements for print materials.

EDITOR
Proofreading, editing and copy writing for a variety of consumer/stakeholder materials as well as industry collateral, including top client’s annual report.

Roles and Accomplishments include:

DEPARTMENT HEAD
Used graphic design skill set in the production and management of collateral for Visit California events and conferences, and ads for placement in various industry conference programs; completed and managed in-house production projects such as media invitations, promotional item design/creation, flyers and pamphlets which supported the Marketing, Assessment, Industry Relations, Public Affairs and PR teams.

STRATEGIC THINKER
Created and implemented Project Tracker, a ticketing system using SharePoint, which manages creative projects from request to completion. The system tracks drafts, hours spent, approvals, file location and cost of each project.

BRAND MANAGER
Managed the production of brand standards and business system following the release of the new and current corporate identity, Visit California.

DAMS MANAGER
Implemented company’s first digital asset management system (DAMS) which housed over 12,000 assets (photography, video and design files) and was lead project manager for system upgrade in 2013. Sought after, vetted, hired and managed multiple production companies for the purpose of acquiring additional assets (video and photography) which were utilized in marketing materials for both consumer and industry facing publications, websites and for event collateral.

VIDEO PRODUCTION
Supported the needs of senior staff and various department managers by managing the fulfillment and/or creation of video needs for multiple, cross-functional projects.

Roles and Accomplishments include:

SOLO IN-HOUSE DESIGNER
Visit California’s sole graphics manager and full-time designer; overseeing all creative collateral developed for corporate communication collateral, presentations, promotional items, etc. Sole responsibility for management of $250K graphic design vendor contracts.

VIDEO PRODUCTION
Supported the needs of senior staff and various department managers by managing the fulfillment and/or creation of video needs for multiple, cross-functional projects.

RESEARCHER
Fact-finding, analysis and organization of relevant and engaging content for multimedia presentations created for President & CEO and Senior Staff.

WIZARD BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Created and edited custom multimedia presentations; provided technical and logistical support to President & CEO, Senior Staff and VIPs for high profile speeches and conferences.