Julie King

• Company formation/operations: client acquisition; proposal/concept presentations; vendor sourcing/management; creative direction of subcontractors
• Full scope of creative services from strategies/concepts to final design, prepress and production
• Key contributor to success of Costumes USA line launch: retouching, packaging, catalog design.
• Lead role in architecture, UX strategy and design of online, sales/call center portals for Dialog Direct
• Worked directly with Amscan EVP of Global Product Development, to refresh the Amscan logo, develop PCHI corporate logo, and rebrand costume division as Suit Yourself Costume Co.

• Created final vendor mechanical files using a wide array of productions methods for celebration/party products and packaging: paper goods, balloons, decorations, costumes/accessories, favors/games/activities.
• Designed seasonal, holiday and everyday products for PCHI brands and licensed properties, including developing uniquely engineered solutions to create new products and packaging methods.
• Developed detailed style guides to ensure consistent branding while streamlining processes, resulting in training tools for new hires and external contractors.
• Independently developed close relationship with PSG (product safety) team to understand legal compliance for product/packaging, including comprehensive knowledge of new Reese’s button cell battery law. Developed training tools and acted as liaison/point person for the creative department. Created templates/styles for implementing compliance of warnings and other required info.

• Concept development and design of the Gertie Gear pet airbed system
• Solutions for materials sourcing and operations to meet target cost of goods for retail level margins, making small quantities profitable
• Branding/marketing materials, public relations, social media, advertising via social media and print publications
ACCOLADES
• A-list celebrity gift bags: Earth Day in Hollywood and HollyWOOF,
• American Kennel Club: Top item in multiple Holiday Gift and Spring-Summer Gear Guides
• FIDO Friendly magazine: 2010 Winner “100 Best Pet Products”
• American Express/NBC sponsored: Semi-finalist in, Shine-A-Light on Small Business competition
• 2009 StartUpNation.com: Top contender in Home-Based 100 competition
• Featured on: PBS: “Start Up Nation — Open for Business” DVD
• Featured on: Fox 2 News “Made in Michigan”

• Built inhouse design department from zero: equipment/software; development and implementation of techniques and systems; hire, train and manage design staff
• Lead team in design/production of licensed, oversized, wall graphics, more than doubling existing product line at a rate three times that of the previously contracted design agency
• Welcomed ownership of projects beyond the scope of product design to serve the fast growing needs of marketing and retail sales teams

• Key member of small advertising firm involved in every aspect of creative solutions/services as well as operations and improvements, employee/project management, client proposals and presentations, tech liaison for clients and vendors.
• Eclectic client portfolio: consumer/packaged goods, non-profit funds generation, medical services, B2B manufacturing and high tech.

• Developed/launched private label brands for the beauty industry
• Sourced and purchased various forms of packaging and print for bilingual product lines
• Collaborated with purchasing, sales teams, product suppliers and managed vendors to maintain production schedules

• Product development, design and art direction of custom and licensed gift products/activities
• Worked directly with license representatives to obtain approvals
• Collaboration with purchasing/sales to reach target cost of goods and ensure safety compliance