MICHAEL A. ZYDZIK
mobile: 480-406-0651 ▪
[email protected] ▪ www.fusionfarm.com www.mzydzik.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Entrepreneurial and dynamic creative leader with 15+ years of experience shaping engaging and targeted campaigns, strategies, and executions that drive revenue growth. Quality-focused and hands-on leader who commands the full brand development process from concept through seamless execution across diverse sales and advertising platforms on both agency and client sides. Savvy business developer and visionary executive who builds high-performing teams and client bases from the ground up. Wholehearted and inspirational leader who tells complete brand stories and leverages strong audience engagement acumen.
Areas of Expertise
Concept Development – Product Marketing – Branding & Brand Positioning – Strategic Planning – Social & Digital Media – Strategic Brainstorming – Creative Sales Support – Talent Management – Media Buying & Planning – Process Improvement – Pitches & Presentations – Business Development – Client Relations & Retention – Integrated Campaigns
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SOURCE MEDIA GROUP, Cedar Rapids, IA 2009 to Present
Parent company of ABC affiliate and largest newspaper in Eastern Iowa.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Recruited to build internal advertising agency, Fusionfarm, from ground up. Collaborate with product managers, content directors, editors, and creative team members to conceptualize full suite of brand marketing services and products across print, digital, and broadcast platforms. Lead marketing and creative team members to create and manage dynamic external brand messaging in form of audience-specific marketing and advertising campaigns in print, broadcast, online, social media, and emerging media for broad spectrum of clients.
Orchestrate product budget creation, oversee 35 cross-functional team members, and manage up to 20 third-party resources. Plan media strategy and buys to align with media choices and brand messaging while driving awareness and revenue. Position to external client base and conduct full spectrum to capture additional revenue. Build materials and platform to secure national accounts. Business development with sales people. Direct creative team, marketing team, writers, producers, and programmers on simultaneous projects.
• Overhauled Media Group operations to integrate Fusionfarm advertising agency.
• Formed core creative team, including all recruiting and hiring, to serve internal product and brand development, and cutting-edge advertising and marketing campaigns.
• Honored with 6 national GDUSA Awards, 2012
• Honored with 5 Silver Addy Awards, as well as Best in Category and Judge’s Choice, 2009.
• Rebranded KCRG-TV 9 including logo, brand personality, new HD set design, and ad campaign across print, broadcast, and online mediums; grew Neilson ratings across all vital time slots with 250% increase in 6 pm news viewership.
• Overhauled hooplanow.com media product with new logo, complete website renovation, and redesigned advertising and marketing campaign with emphasis on social media; grew user base by 400% in less than 6 months.
• Developed ‘Here's the Deal’ local online deals product with comprehensive brand, identity, website, and marketing campaign; grew monthly revenue from $5K to $33K, expanded market share to 60%, and outperformed Groupon and Living Social.
• Generated 26K unique email captures in 3 months with 83% monthly average increase for ‘Here’s the Deal.’
RED MAGAZINE, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ 2004 to 2008
Entertainment and lifestyle publication.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Balanced multiple cross-functional roles for startup organization. Created and launched visual brand, product flow, column and feature configuration, design, and layout for each page of magazine. Ensured consistent branding throughout ad campaigns, sponsorships, and events. Provided concepts and creative execution for monthly fashion editorial photo shoots. Maintained relationships with photographers, models and agencies, stylists and retailers for style and product placement. Oversaw all production elements including preflight preparation of digital files for printers and approval of press proofs.
MANAGING EDITOR
Forged relationships with national PR firms, talent representatives, movie studios, and record labels to garner interviews and news. Planned and managed features, interviews, and columns with 10 contributing writers each month. Management of editorial flow, grammar and guidelines as it is relevant to and consistent with the Red Magazine brand. Authored monthly Letter from the Editor and restaurant reviews.
PARTNER
Collaborated with business partners to create and execute short- and long-term strategic plans, both conceptual and practical. Constructed departmental budgets and standard operating procedures. Monitored sales performance and advertiser and readership opinions and perceptions. Analyzed responses and industry trends to provide expert recommendations.
• Expanded readership from 0 to 20K in 6 months.
• Spearheaded entry to Dallas and Houston markets and increased readership to 45K+ with 15K+ downloads of online version each month in 12 months.
• Conceptualized and managed layout and design of contracted client print advertising and advertising campaigns, corporate web site and opt-in email blasts.
INDEPENDENT CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Phoenix, AZ 2001 to 2009
Contract employment.
CONSULTANT
Created, managed, and produced projects for diverse clientele in print and radio advertising, publishing, point-of-purchase, collateral, logo and business ID, proposal authorship and creation, and fashion and editorial photo shoots. Conducted extensive analysis of client brand and market position and authored creative strategy. Crafted and facilitated proposals and presentations on behalf of clients. Managed contracted graphic designers, researchers, photographers, producers and copywriters. Key clients included Taco Bell, Sun Health Organization, Sun Health Research Institute, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Pride, Streets of New York Pizza, IPSA International, and HomeShow Magazine.
• Received Benny Award, 2003.
IONAZ MAGAZINE, Phoenix, AZ 2004 to 2005
Entertainment, lifestyle, and fashion magazine.
ART DIRECTOR
Built relationships with nationally ranked photographers, stylists, and makeup teams. Directed photo shoots with up to 20 participants and team members. Edited shoots and made final approval on hair, makeup, and photo selections. Coordinated street teams for guerilla marking in nightclubs, restaurants, and events. Co-produced magazine sponsored events including concerts, trades shows, and festivals. Authored monthly “Hot or Not” column while selecting wide range of products for review.
• Honored with Alt Pick Photography Award, 2005.
THE ADWORKS, Phoenix, AZ 1997 to 2001
Full-service boutique ad agency.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Presented concepts to client and worked directly with owners on sales techniques and new business strategies. Partnered with in-house producer to develop relationships with several production companies, writers, talent agencies, and stylists in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Operated as SAG-approved agency and worked with Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles-based talent. Served as lead in developing branding, creative messaging, and execution across all mediums: broadcast, outdoor, radio, package design, print, and collateral. Managed team of 6 and oversaw broadcast productions of up to 25 people. Key clients included Realty Executives, KSLX Radio, Metropolitan Mattress, Bedroom Eyes, PB Bell Properties, Phoenix Baptist Hospital, and Super Shuttle.
EDUCATION
Coursework completed in Studio Art / Design at University of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
TECHNICAL PROFILE
Adobe Acrobat Professional, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign – Microsoft Word – Quark Express – Macromedia Freehand
