http://www.jobster.com/at/person/show/232421?hbxcmp=feed&hbxsrc=rss_user_answers http://www.jobster.com/at/assets/images/jobster/logos/rss_logo.gif http://www.jobster.com/at/person/show/232421?hbxcmp=feed&hbxsrc=rss_user_answers Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:34:04 GMT Most recently updated answers by Frank Marchese http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575034?answer_class=AnswerBase Sustaining a successful business involves planning, tenacity, risk-taking and commitment. Sustaining a successful creative business involves vision, collaboration, professionalism and integrity. Maintaining these attributes in the face of client expectations, employee concerns and meeting payroll, all while summoning your creative muse is the opportunity in running your own firm. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:34:04 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575034?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575033?answer_class=AnswerBase * Maintained a 12-year relationship with the marketing and communications professionals at TIAA-CREF, bringing a consistent brand identity to nearly 500 individual projects * Designed and/or directed the development of 30 health benefits programs for top-tier business consulting firms * Became the agency of record for Money magazine's marketing department, producing media kits, special advertising sections and promotional materials over a 14 year span Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:33:31 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575033?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575025?answer_class=AnswerBase When I first met life in the creative department, it was clear that more structure, procedures and communication were needed to improve operations in this growing organization. As a result, staff performance was inconsistent as was the quality of the creative work. Although an identity program had been established, there was little understanding or adherence to many of the brand guidelines. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:02:34 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575025?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575024?answer_class=AnswerBase * Improved workflow and productivity by introducing procedures for assignment and scheduling of incoming projects, and reviewed objectives and provided creative direction to each Designer * Empowered the virtually-centralized team of full-time and freelance artists towards higher performance standards and accountability, providing a more consistent experience for internal clients * Established a cohesive brand strategy in partnership with senior leaders and an external agency, and launched the firm's first website to advance usage of brand guidelines and share best practices Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:01:50 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575024?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575021?answer_class=AnswerBase * Educated and enlisted assistance from pre-press, production and interactive staff to pursue creative offering, and managed operational, administrative and creative functions * Met the creative needs of existing and new clients by providing strategic development, design and editorial services through individual efforts, freelance assistance and ultimately a team of multi-talented hires * Promoted an "under one roof" client experience by supplying sales reps with printed and online marketing and advertising tools, and a revitalized website that publicized creative services integrated with the firm's other capabilities Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:57:53 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575021?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575020?answer_class=AnswerBase Although the department consisted of an agency-modeled group of professionals with individual talents, there was little collaboration across disciplines and a dysfunctional design team that had recently been split up. Internal clients' satisfaction with creative output varied widely, dependent on whom they worked with and how their business objectives were balanced with rigid brand guidelines. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:56:56 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575020?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575019?answer_class=AnswerBase * Cultivated a team mentality among designers, growing existing talent, recruiting additional creative staff, offering incentives and partnering team members on specific projects * Facilitated a more collaborative environment between designers, writers, editors and production associates in support of marketing, senior leadership and HR functions, and improved department's reputation and alignment with business and firm-wide goals * Inspired more innovative applications of brand guidelines, and ensured on time and on budget delivery of strategic services to clients Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:56:29 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575019?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575018?answer_class=AnswerBase What seemed like a logical step in expanding the company's offering to include comprehensive creative services proved to be an uphill battle. Shifting attitudes from a manufacturing mindset, building and promoting a creative team with limited resources, and establishing a reputation through a large, yet independent sales force were a few of the challenges encountered. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:51:36 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575018?answer_class=AnswerBase http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575032?answer_class=AnswerBase A leadership role with an in-house Creative Services department where I could contribute my knowledge, resourcefulness and project management capabilities. A position where I would have responsibility for managing a team of designers, writers and production managers, helping create a supportive and collaborative team environment. An organization that values open and honest communication with employees, and mutually respectful relationships between clients and support staff. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:24:21 GMT http://www.jobster.com/at/answer/view/575032?answer_class=AnswerBase