Shari M. – Designer / Art Director

April 30th, 2012

Shari is passionate about effective, inspiring graphic design. She loves creating solutions for small businesses as well as assisting agencies and working with large clients. Her branding and advertising chops come from partnering with clients ranging from start ups to international companies such as Reader’s Digest, Cartoon Network, and CNN.

She has 8 years of varied experience, working as an independent graphic designer and art director, in-house graphic designer, and as an ad agency creative. With advanced skills across a wide range of industries and media, she offers a unique combination of communication skills and design aesthetic. Her specialities include identity, style guides, promotional, posters, stationery, one sheets, marketing collateral, and advertising.

Hailing from Philadelphia, Shari is a Northerner by birth, but has embraced the city (and weather!) of Atlanta since she moved here to attend Portfolio Center in 2002. She is actively involved in the Atlanta chapter of AIGA, planning events such as Ink & Drink, a quarterly screen printing workshop for designers.

Shari is available for freelance job opportunities. To book Shari, please call 404.806.2285 or e-mail us at info@hire-profile.com.

Jeff H. – Creative Director / Senior Art Director

April 2nd, 2012

Jeff has created award-winning work for Foundation Rwanda, Norfolk Southern, BBC America and Atlanta’s Shakespeare Tavern. He’s had the privilege to work on such brands as BellSouth, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Each of these clients presented exciting challenges that required Jeff to implement unique solutions both creatively and strategically sound.

As an Associate Creative Director at JWT, Jeff oversaw work done primarily on the U.S. Marine Corps including posters, print, online modules, films, commercials and so much more. He’s also had the privilege of working on Norfolk Southern, Repel, U.S. Virgin Islands and traveled around the world twice for a Marine Corps Embassy Guard ad campaign.  Prior to joining JWT, Jeff worked at Blue Sky on Atlanta’s Braves, Hawks and Thrashers along with Moe’s Southwest Grill and BBC America. Before that he was at Grey working mostly on BellSouth and all aspects of the large telecommunication business. Jeff graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree anda minor in Advertising. After college, he worked in-house for a furniture company before getting a night time freelance opportunity with Grey in addition to his day job. Six months later he earned a full time job as a junior art director at Grey.

Professional and Personal Strengths/Skill Sets:

Art Direction, Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Brand Development, Logo Design, Creative Concept Development, Typography, Broadcast, Online Advertising, Interactive Marketing, Digital Marketing, Direct Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Mobile, Passion, Positive Energy, Strategic Thinking, Conceptual Thinking, Ambition, Enthusiasm, Follow through, Initiative.

Jeff is available for permanent as well as freelance job opportunities. To book Jeff please call 404.806.2285 or e-mail us at info@hire-profile.com.

 

Christie M. – Senior Level Marketer and Social Media Talent

March 6th, 2012

Christie has experience running a fast-paced advertising agency, so she’s used to multi-tasking, juggling and budgeting. She learns quickly and has always sought out new and practical knowledge to bring to her clients. The past three years have seen an explosion of changes in marketing opportunities with the growth of social media and other interactive platforms and technologies. Christie brings a deep understanding of these tools and the most innovative ways to use them, along with exceptional enthusiasm and a fresh perspective that sees a world of new possibilities for marketing your firm.

She loves what she does and has a passion for all things marketing. Christie is talented at explaining the benefits and rationale behind creative strategies to even the most left-brained listeners. Add to this her boundless energy and genuine enthusiasm for marketing, and the result is a cohesive group with everyone working toward the common goal of creating an ever more profitable and knowledgeable company.

Christie has worked extensively in account management and social media for B2B, healthcare, legal and accounting clients such as DeKalb Medical, Tenon Consulting, Paul Hastings and Bennett Thrasher.

Christie is available for permanent as well as freelance job opportunities. To book or interview Christie please call 404.806.2285 or e-mail us at info@hire-profile.com.

 

Kyle B. – Creative Director/Senior Graphic Designer

January 17th, 2012

A good friend of Kyle’s once shared his thinking on what separates stellar designers from the merely adequate. He said “some of us are born with a calibrated eye. We have the ability to quickly look at a design and determine proper balance, weight, color, typeface, and content.”

Along with a “calibrated eye”, Kyle brings a wealth of education, experience, and expertise. Together, all these attributes allow him to be the designer you need for your important project.

It is often said that a carpenter is only as good as his tools. Kyle adds that tools are only as good as the carpenter using them. You can count on Kyle to bring the following attributes:

  • Superior presentation skills
  • A unique understanding of brand
  • Interpersonal skills that create a truly collaborative creative experience
  • Deep experience with creating in a wide variety of budgetary parameters

Kyle has vast experience in a wide variety of markets and industries, including but not limited to: banking and finance, home improvement, government agencies, intelligence agencies, healthcare, entertainment, hospitality, humanitarian efforts, adult beverages, aerospace, automotive, aeroponics, and agricultural.

To book or interview Kyle please call 404.806.2285 or e-mail us at info@hire-profile.com.

Peace on Earth…Or at least on 85

December 20th, 2011

The Hire Profile holiday cards just went out to our clients and I thought it would be fun to share it with everyone.  We work with a talented designer who made our concept come to life. I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful holiday!

(back & front)

(inside)

THE CREATIVE SOLUTION ALGORITHM

December 7th, 2011

By: Stacey Ruth

The scenario is a familiar one: Another last-minute, all-important, pet project of the CEO’s just landed on your desk at 5:00 on a Friday. Your team is already operating above capacity. Obviously, you need additional resources – but which kind? Freelance, agency and additional permanent staff all have their appeal and their drawbacks, but there isn’t time to ponder and plan. Immediate action is required.

Moving from anxiety into action can be made easy by using a very simple decision algorithm. This Creative Solution Algorithm addresses the primary aspects of each choice (freelance, permanent, agency), eliminating any emotional response from the decision process. It provides a clear justification, not only for the choice we make, but also for any case that needs to be made in regards to additional funding or resources.

1. The Case for Freelance: If you answer “yes” to 2 or more of the following, freelance is the right solution for you.
The parameters are:

One-time only project
Project scope is clearly defined
Project is an anomaly, requiring a specialized skill set
Costs must be carefully managed
Project management is available internally
Staff are already in overtime or burned out
A staff person is out on temporary leave
Project would be a good trial to move someone into a permanent position

2. Case for Full-time Employees: If you answer “yes” to 2 or more of the following, a full-time employee is the right solution for you.
The parameters are:

Project is part of a steady stream of consistently similar work
Workload is consistently more than current staff can handle without substantial overtime
Project work is enough to keep an employee fully occupied for 80% of a regular work week
Additional head count for the year is approved
Project management is available internally
Staff are already in overtime or burned out

3.    The Case for Agencies: If you answer “yes” to 2 or more of the following, an agency is the right solution for you.
The parameters are:

Project has many integrated aspects
External project management is needed
The budget can absorb management costs
An outside perspective is needed
Expert, strategic consultation is needed to ensure success
A seamless, turnkey solution is required

Of course, there are always situations that don’t fit the model – for instance, a project that has many integrated aspects and needs external project management, but the budget won’t absorb the management component inherent in most agencies’ structure. When this happens, the Creative Solution Algorithm becomes a platform for discussions within the company to ensure expectations are in alignment with the project’s parameters.

Kimberly-Clark Health Care Leverages Internal and External Resources Effectively

We have internal communications managers who know the brand standards and business messaging that is so important and hard to quickly relay to outside resources. These managers have oversight over outside resources – working with designers, writers and agencies – both large and small – to execute a variety of projects.

Because our workload has predictably heavier and lighter periods, we are able to plan the times we will need to ramp up our outside freelance pool, and we are always looking for fresh resources.”

– Pam Strickland Associate Director, Global Marketing & Communications

A great way to explore all the options simultaneously – freelance, internal and agency – is to work with a creative resource provider like Hire Profile, who is vested in finding the right solution for your company, not tied to a particular solution category. Even when the right solution isn’t entirely clear – the right solution is out there – as long as you are armed when necessary.

As a life-long entrepreneur herself, Stacey Ruth has been involved in building and marketing successful organizations for two decades. In 2000, she was named one of Atlanta’s top 50 Entrepreneurs by Catalyst Magazine, and most recently, her former agency, The WOW Factory, was twice named one of the Top 100 Event Marketing IT Agencies by Event Marketer Magazine. You can read more about Stacey by visiting her site http://www.marketwritesite.com/

Paul W. – Art Director/Graphic Designer

November 21st, 2011

After 6 years of art directing and designing in Atlanta in both an agency and freelance context, Paul is very much accustomed to visually developing ideas and bringing them to the marketplace.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art from Oglethorpe University and a certificate in design from The Creative Circus, he relies on a strong background in aesthetics to be effective in visual communication to give clients what they want—and then some. Campaign concepting, branding, web design, print, and television spots are no strangers to his repertoire in fulfilling assignments for various clients. This experience will make him a dynamic addition to a creative team’s goals.

To book or interview Paul please call 404.806.2285 or e-mail us at info@hire-profile.com.

ARE YOU PACKAGED TO STAND OUT IN THE FIRST 30 SECONDS?

November 1st, 2011

Please come by Roam in Alpharetta Wednesday, Nov 9 from 5p-8:30p for Digital Atlanta for Job Seekers, an evening with LinkedIn training, recruiting professionals on hand and a free resume speed assessment by me and Mariette Edwards of Do Your Great Work.  Your first impression is very key and many times undermines or confuses a potential employer. Make sure your first impression says exactly what you want it to.  Reserve a ticket today!

John R. – Graphic Designer/Art Director

October 7th, 2011

John began his design career in New York City creating marketing material for various magazines including Cosmopolitan, Business Week, Inc., Sail and Harper’s Bazaar. Now living in Atlanta, John has worked with such companies as The Weather Channel, Home Depot, Global Payments, VeriFone and The Loma Corporation.

As a highly innovative, award winning Senior Designer/Art Director, he has a comprehensive background in print and web delivered collateral, new media and creative marketing for various Fortune 500 companies doing business around the world.

John has worked with design firms, advertising agencies and in-house companies and has gained extensive experience in corporate identity and brand management. He maintains exceptional collaborative, interpersonal and management skills along with being a dynamic team player with well developed written and verbal communication skills. His portfolio holds a diverse array of work including brochures, web site design, annual reports, trade show displays, package labels, kiosk design, advertising and more.

To book or interview John R. please call 404.806.2285 or e-mail us at info@hire-profile.com.

You do better when you know better.

September 28th, 2011

I lunched with a female business owner today who runs a successful web design firm, raises her 2 teenage children with her adoring husband, dresses stylishly, is a social media maven, maintains 4 blogs and pod casts regularly.  She is also very nice.  While encountering a woman of this caliber is humbling, it can also inspire.  We shared the many highs and lows of running your own businesses. She lifted back the curtain and revealed more about the wizard and how she too has days she wants to be a toll taker on GA 400.  She has had it rough with clients, she has made bad hires, she has had to fight to collect on invoices. But, she wouldn’t trade it for the world.  “I am not alone!” I thought.  I’ve been searching for more business owners to share with, get ideas from and also help from my experience of eight years as an entrepreneur.  I challenge you all to find someone in your circle, field, industry, company that you admire.  Go to lunch…you will surprised how much better you want to become.