Matt Ratkovic

* Supervise a group of 9 graphic artists and 2 proofreaders to produce effective print and internet ads for clients of the Casa Grande Dispatch, Coolidge Examiner, Florence Reminder-Blade Tribune, Eloy Enterprise, Arizona City Independent, Maricopa Monitor and numerous periodicals. * Use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign to produce ad designs, graphics and copy for newspaper and internet ads. * Compose pages for several newspapers. * Review and approve pages for newspapers and periodicals prior to sending them to press. * Receive, process and prepare legal and classified ads for publication in all Casa Grande Valley Newspapers.

Dillard's Department Stores * Reported to the Director of Sales Promotion. * Supported more than 50 Dillard's stores by creating and producing newspaper advertising, preprinted newspaper inserts, catalogs, postcards, press releases, billboards, in-store signing, internet and magazine advertising, special event collateral materials and internal employee communications. * Managed the creative and production staff including: Copy Chief, 5 Graphic Designers/Copywriters, 2 Studio Photographers, 2 Stylists, Merchandise Coordinator, Production Manager and Production Assistant. * Provided strong direction to staff through oral and written communications on a daily basis. * Planned and organized the department workload, assigned projects to the creative and photo studio staff, set deadlines and monitored the progress of each ad and project in the Advertising Department. * Developed promotional campaigns and strategies to meet business objectives set by the Director of Sales promotion. * Worked closely with the merchandise Buyers to plan and execute effective advertising. Organized and conducted monthly "advertising turn-in meetings" with each merchandise division to begin the process of creating ads. * Interviewed and hired new staff members as openings occurred. * Evaluated staff members annually, recognizing and rewarding strong performers. Planned strategies for developing staff members through cross-training and educational seminars. * Developed and managed budgets for promotional projects, as well as outside agencies, such as modeling agencies and hair and makeup artists. * Prepared project specifications for outside printing companies, solicited project bids, and chose the printers for each job. * Reviewed and approved expense invoices for outside expenses. * Participated in annual contract negotiation meetings with newspaper representatives. * Monitored the progress of ...