Cummings Creative Group, Birmingham, Alabama
Executive Creative Director, January 2011 – Current
I'm a Creative Director who specializes in brand development, holistic campaign strategies, content & social media management, creative mentoring, interactive campaigns, video and marketing collateral. My extensive experience also includes working with a number of B2B and B2C brands. As the CCO/ Executive Creative Director at CCG, I develop brand positioning, messaging strategies and tactics for our clients as well as generate original content and concepts. I'm heavily involved with the day-to-day activities of our clients and lead a creative team of designers and writers focused on delivering exceptional work and exceptional results.
Responsibilities include:
Conceive and create brand messaging and design solutions that fulfill strategic business objectives.
Accelerate growth and increase company revenue by delivering creative-driven strategies.
Build, mentor, and guide the creative team around account and company needs and vision.
Drive creative discipline, operational, and industry vertical excellence and expertise to promote continuous improvement.
Perform strategic account planning with account and digital teams.
Develop successful brand campaigns for Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama and Oklahoma, resulting in increased market share and enrollments while reducing cost to acquire
Engineer brand strategies that result in #1 in brand preference and over 50,000 and growing Medicare enrollments.
Healthcare Website launches: www.VivaHealth.com/Medicare, 22statebank.com, www.apcocu.org, www.GlobalHealthMedicare.com, www.UrologyCentersAlabama.com, UAMPA.com, UCAWomenscenter.com
B2B Website launches: www.Motion.com, www.PlassonUSA.com, capacitytrucks.com, www.legacycabinets.com, www.Spirolite.com
Creation of B2B Industry Mi KnowledgeHub
Building social media presence on multiple social channels for Viva Medicare, UCA, UCA Women's Center, Urology Associates of Mobile, Alabama Urogyn
Clients: Viva Medicare, GlobalHealth, Motion Industries, Urology Centers of Alabama, Urology Associates of Mobile, Plasson, Alabama Credit Union, Legacy Cabinets, Bradford Health, First US Bank, Capacity Trucks, The Bluff at WaterWorks Landing
Day-to-Day Management Responsibilities include:
✓Creative leadership, direction, and mentoring
✓ Presentations
✓ Creative strategy and execution
✓ Project projections
✓ Brand planning & development
✓ Content Management & Copywriting
✓ Project management, scheduling, estimating and budgeting
✓ Annual performance reviews
✓ New business development & strategy
✓ Client services
Point B Communications, Chicago, IL.
Associate Creative Director, March 2008 – April 2009
I was the team lead for several multi-leveled projects and responsible for the creative and strategic development of integrated campaigns for the hospitality and services industries. Developed regional and national campaigns for The Drake Hotel, Pheasant Run Resort, Eagle Ridge Resort. But my proudest accomplishment was being the creative force behind the launch of Chicago first LEED certified hotel, Hotel Felix.
Clients: McCormick Freedom Museum, Hotel Felix, Cantigny Park, Cantigny Golf Academy, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Mayan Adventure Water Park, The Drake Hotel, Pivot Point Academy, Pheasant Run Resort & Spa
Davis Harrison Dion Advertising, Chicago, IL.
Sr. Copywriter, January 2006 – March 2008
This is where things got technical. Quite literally. I was so used to concepting and writing about consumer brands and products that going to a strictly B2B firm was definitely an eye opener. I really had to study more technical languages in order to develop internal and external marketing communications for several clients in electrical, construction, chemical, agricultural, weathering and traffic safety industries. From writing a riveting branch circuit testing application guide for Ideal Industries, or getting all scientific with weather testing equipment for Atlas Materials, I was your go-to guy.
One of the most fun projects was building a successful customer relations program for NESRentals and Ideal Industries using the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Clients: Ideal Industries, Inc. Atlas Material Testing, NES Rentals, NES Traffic Safety, Mepron Dairy Additives, Dober Chemical Solutions
Chicago Tribune Company and Tribune Media Services, Chicago, IL.
Copywriter, October 2004 – January 2006
This was my first in-house position. What was super interesting about this position was sitting in the newsroom when big stories hit. I remember listening to all the editors talk about Hurricane Katrina and how it was going to impact so many different sections of the newspaper (sports, business, lifestyle, etc.) As a copywriter, my job was to market the Chicago Tribune newspaper and its syndicated properties such as comics, games, columnists, photo journalism, etc. Basically did all the fun things one would expect to do at a major newspaper. Great experience.
Fitzgerald + Company, Atlanta, GA.
Copywriter. January 2001 - August 2003
My first creative position out of Portfolio Center and it was amazing! Basically handed the keys to huge brands such as Coca-Cola, Porter Cable Power Tools, Durex Condoms and told to "knock myself out." Once I realized not every campaign could have chimpanzees, I learned the real world value of a brand.
I was also given the opportunity to write and direct creative marketing video presentations for new business pitches. Amazing opportunities all around.
Clients: ARCS, Aruba Tourism, Coca-Cola, Cryovac Sealed Air, Durex Condoms, Humminbird, Porter Cable Power Tools
90° Engel, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama
Freelance Creative Director/Copywriter, February 2001 – 2010
Since Portfolio Center, I collaborate with numerous corporate clients and advertising agencies on a per project basis. In between my move from Chicago to Birmingham, I took some time to focus on building a freelance business. During this time, I continued doing some freelance work for agencies in Chicago, North Carolina, and Birmingham, Alabama. Much of it was just busy work that the agencies just needed to get off their plates, but I did get to record a Smithfield Ham radio spot with Paula Dean!
Clients: Alabama Power, APX Logistics, Broadway Shoes, Lake Norman Hospital, Mitchell Gold Furniture, Pfizer Animal Health, Smithfield Ham
Schafer Condon Carter Advertising, Chicago, IL.
Assistant Account Executive. February 1998 - January 1999.
First advertising agency job. I learned how to write conference reports, proofread layouts, coordinated with vendors for promotional materials, released projects to the printer and managed client relations. This is also where I realized that the creatives had more fun and I made a decision rather quickly to move to Atlanta to attend The Portfolio Center.
Clients: Cat Pride Cat Litter, Equal Sweetener, Frutazza Fruit Smoothies
Chicago Tribune, Vernon Hills, IL.
Freelance Reporter. May 1997 - April 1998.
Reported and wrote for Lake County section.
WGN Television, Chicago, IL.
Assistant Segment Producer Intern. January 1997 - June 1997.
Created segment ideas for the Morning News Show.
Produced and conducted on-camera interviews.
Awards & Recognition:
2020 Best of Show Addy Winner: Worst Year Ever Holiday Card
Gold Addy’s: 75 Years of Motion, CCG Crawfish Boil Posters, Bingo in the New Year, Worst Year Ever Holiday Card
Silver Addy’s: Crawfish Boil Posters, Navigating the Holiday Office Party Holiday Card
Davey Awards: Urology Centers of Alabama: Baron’s Baseball, Worst Year Ever Holiday Card, Legacy Cabinets Website, Annual Enrollment Decision Tree, Capacity Trucks, The Bluff at Waterworks Landing, Alacare Home Health and Hospice
BMA Tower Awards – NES Rentals
BMA Pro Comm Award – NES Rentals
Graphic Design USA – Chicago Tribune
Southeast ADDYs – Cryovac Sealed Air, Coca Cola
ShowSouth – Coca Cola
Education:
Portfolio Center, Atlanta, GA.
Copywriter. April 1999 - March 2001.
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Communications Arts. 1992 - 1996.