Christine Szepesi • 703.282.8662
Summary
Wide range of skills in creative and strategic thinking, concept development,
planning, project management, client relations and hands on design. Experienced
with recruiting, interviewing, training creative and production staff,
as well as communication, problem solving, time management and prioritization
of a creative team. Over ten years of experience in design and marketing
· Skilled
in advertising, direct mail, web and interface design and art direction
· Experienced in e-commerce/direct response marketing, project management,
advertising, account management and more
Experience
Program Manager, America Online, INC., Dulles, VA April 2000 - present
o Manage, design and art direct online promotions for pop-ups including;
merchandise, channel, devices
(AOLTV,
Mobile Communicator, AOLbyPhone, DSL & Cable), registration, SOSA, e-mail
marketing, Deal of the Day, Smart Bargains, welcome screen and miscellaneous
partner promotions.
o Work with buyers, management team, matrix partners and other key individuals
to develop marketing strategy and goals. Provide hands on design or art
direction for implementation of strategy to outside vendors and internal
talent to produce effective, results-oriented creative. Continuously evaluate
results and generate new test ideas.
o Coordinate usability testing sessions for popups. Feedback from these
sessions led to greater understanding of our order process from a member
standpoint, a commitment and go forward project to redesign that order
process, and a new and successful security element, currently in testing.
o My team designed and produced over 304 ads and element tests in 6 months,
tripling our creative output and production from the previous year.
o Achieved a 62% success rate on new products and lifts of up to 25% over
the control creative.
Web Designer,
washingtonpost.com, Arlington, VA, mid 1999 - 2000 (contract)
o Worked with art director to create new art for Washingtonpost.com site,
including navigation elements, editorial content and imagery.
Account
Executive, Coleman Design Group, Washington, DC, 1998 - 1999
· Responsible for new business development and project management for
both print design and Internet solutions design and development.
· Position required an in-depth understanding of print design and Internet
solutions design and development, tenacity, resourcefulness, clear communication
skills, the ability to deliver engaging presentations, and basic skills
in contract negotiation.
· Capture client's needs in a proposal focused on achieving business goals
and objectives.
· Successfully managed multiple projects, which brought revenues in excess
of $145,000.
· Sold $108,000 of new business for the company, 73,000 of that amount
from new clients.
Creative
Consultant, Advantage Staffing, Washington, DC, 1997 - 1998
o Responsible for development of new creative services arm capability
in the Washington area.
o Develop strategic partnerships with clients, recruitment sources and
creative talent.
o Interview, evaluate and place new staff into positions befitting their
experience, skill and interest.
o Assist sales team in presenting Advantage to new clients as a long-term
partner and solution for their creative staffing goals.
Graphic
Designer, Independent Contractor. IntellXx, Rosslyn, VA, 1995 - 1996
o Develop logos and collateral material for launch of two new products.
Worked with product managers and market researchers.
o Worked directly with C.E.O. and Sr. vice-presidents to design division
and corporate presentations.
o Developed interface for working model of Intranet in coordination with
web team.
Art Director/designer.
Copy Connection, Silver Spring, MD, 1993 - 1995
o Independent, self-motivated position requiring extensive client contact,
writing budgets, schedules and estimates, creation of concepts, comps
and final drafts, production management and billing.
o Design and production of all company collateral including mission statement,
brochures and slicks.
o Developed training and production manual for employees.
Art Director/designer.
Chesapeake Home Life Magazine, Baltimore, MD, Dec. 1992 - Sept. 1993
o Created promotional material, collateral and special advertising sections.
o Developed updated image for the magazine, including redesign of cover
and interior pages.
The Maryland
Pennysaver, Hanover, MD, Aug. 1987 - Sept. 1993
o Promoted to various positions; Layout artist, Assistant systems manager
and Sr. computer artist.
Software
Knowledge
Major software programs on Mac or PC including: Photoshop, Illustrator,
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PageMaker, Quark, CorelDraw! and Visio.
AOL's proprietary software: VPD, Artpress and Artpress 5.
Basic knowledge of web development software including Dreamweaver &
Front Page. Can hard code basic HTML.
Education
Maryland Institute, College of Art - Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
1995
Jan.-June 1990 - Semester Abroad - Florence, Italy. Intensive study of
Renaissance art history and sculpture.
Special
Training
Essentials
of Management, January 2002
Positive Power and Influence, January 2002
Communicating for Success, April 2002
Kick Start Your Creativity, April 2002