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I’m an award-winning, versatile, high-energy creative pro who delivers smart work that gets results across a spectrum of categories.
Concepts and executes creative, strategic, successful ideas
Collaborates productively with other departments, clients, and fellow creatives
Communicates clearly and presents effectively
Handles high work volume under tight deadlines without compromising quality
Combines outstanding organizational and project management know-how with deep digital and print production knowledge
RESUME
VIRGINIA ATKINSON Norwalk, CT • email: virginia@atkinsoncreates.com • web: atkinsoncreates.com • linkedin.com/in/virginiaatkinson
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR/SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Consistently delivers successful, strategic, innovative multi-channel campaigns in fast-paced environments that are on brand, on budget, on trend and on time using an arsenal of skills, knowledge and talents.
PERFORMANCE PROFILE
High-energy creative pro experienced working in fast-paced creative agencies on pharmaceutical, financial, and insurance accounts (among others). Creates strategic, effective multichannel campaigns while efficiently juggling multiple projects on tight deadlines. Collaborates easily to concept innovative design solutions for print and digital. Conceptual thinker with stellar work ethic and communication skills is detail-oriented, combining outstanding organizational and project management know-how with deep digital and print production knowledge.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Mac OS with Adobe CC: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro; Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Digital (email, social, responsive, banners, websites), direct response, OOH, CRM, experiential, print, video, collateral, catalogs, newsletters, POP, sales promotion, fundraising and development, print and digital production
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Senior Art Director: 2018–Present
DonerCX (previously Source Marketing), Wilton, CT: 2007–2018
Senior Art Director: 2008–2018
Freelance Senior Art Director: 2007–2008
Accomplishments
Collaborated with UX manager, programmer, copywriter, designer and client to deliver a robust website for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in six weeks and created the highest-grossing-ever direct mail and emails generating 998% lift over prior year (80% lift year two).
Re-strategized Philip’s marketing message to introduce the first consumer LED light bulb and created a “road show” traveling experience resulting in 1.5 million impressions, 73% of consumers likely to buy, and 7,000 coupons downloaded. Won a Chief Marketer Pro Award.
Created the Alcon OPENINGS™ Patient Support Program, a CRM effort resulting in patients refilling up to two additional prescriptions per year. Successful program expanded to international markets.
Implemented the Chase VIP Lounge Program in upscale malls during the holidays, giving Chase United credit cardmembers an exclusive refuge from holiday shopping chaos. Subsequently took the VIP Lounge concept to the London Olympics, Super Bowl and the Rio Olympics. Over 5 years, this CRM program hosted over 500,000 cardmembers with 90% stating this would lead them to use their Chase United credit card more often.
Partnered with account and production teams to create experiential marketing event for Chase United’s Mileage Plus Explorer Card launch in four markets near major United hubs. A baggage claim carousel contained luggage packed with travel-related prizes for all participants — 20,901 of which were claimed. This acquisition program created 35 million impressions and won a Chief Marketer Bronze Pro Award.
Beat the existing control DM package for ADT delivering 107% lift in calls and a 76% lift in leads for ADT’s new mover segment. Lowered the cost per piece from $0.61 to $0.56 resulting in $50,000 savings per million pieces mailed.
Researched, created and curated agency “trends” wall updated every six weeks, designed to inspire and inform agency employees. Cutting-edge industry trends highlighted photography, illustration, typography, color, graphic design, packaging, logo design, branding, digital marketing, web design, email, language/slang, social media, and advertising campaigns.
Euro RSCG 4D (previously BrannBlau), Wilton, CT: 2000–2007
Studio Manager: 2005–2007
Senior Art Director: 2002–2005
Art Director: 2000–2002
Accomplishments: Studio Manager
Transformed a chaotic and unorganized studio department streamlining and reorganizing the entire operation, turning it into a profitable and excellent service center. Created a calm, efficient work environment. Managed activity and staff in three locations: Wilton, NYC and Toronto. Opened Toronto studio: interviewed candidates, specified equipment and software, trained staff in Euro RSCG studio procedures, partnered in developing Studio Toronto’s process.
Made Wilton studio the engine for creating hundreds of catalog pages, decreasing total hours spent per catalog and increasing accuracy and quality of each succeeding publication.
Researched, bid and implemented the purchase of a stock photo subscription service saving thousands of dollars on image costs.
Accomplishments: Senior Art Director and Art Director
Concepted, designed and executed effective direct mail campaigns for clients such as Fleet Credit Card Services, Fleet Relationship Marketing, Canadian Tire Financial Services and Volvo.
ACCOUNTS
Pharmaceuticals: Alcon, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough
Financial Services and Insurance: AIG, Astoria Bank, Canadian Tire Financial Services, Fleet Credit Card Services, Fleet Relationship Marketing, Erie Insurance, eTrade, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, Synovus, TIAA
Consumer: ADT, Conair, Culligan, Espoma, Gartner Group, Philips Lighting, Bliss Philips, Philips Sonicare, Purina, Rosetta Stone, Sage Software, Volvo
Publishing: Da Capo Press, Doubleday, Thomson Learning, Yale University Press, Weekly Reader
Nonprofits: AARP, Beth Israel Medical Center, Bridgeport Hospital, Citizens Committee for New York City, Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF), Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), NYU Medical Center
EDUCATION
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY; BFA with Honors, Graphic Design
AWARDS
Chief Marketer Pro Award: Philips Lighting LED Tour: Where Science Meets Style
Chief Marketer Pro Award: Chase Mileage Plus Explorer Card Launch: Baggage Claim Event
Ad Club of Connecticut: OOH, Opioid Crisis
Society of Publication Designers: NYU Physician, Medical Ethics Issue
Society of Illustrators: Certificate of Merit; NYU Physician, Medical Ethics Issue
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
Connecticut Art Directors Club (CADC)
Graphic Artists Guild (GAG)