Kelly Simos Email & Phone Number

Oak Park, Il, Us

Oak Park, Il, Us

As a leader of a dynamic, multidisciplinary creative team, I spearheaded the production of compelling creative assets across diverse channels. My role involved defining and guiding the creative development process, establishing clear communication workstreams with stakeholders and executive leaders, and ensuring projects met all expectations on time and within budget. By fostering effective collaboration and overseeing multiple projects through every stage of development, I successfully partnered with Marketing Operations to deliver impactful results. My focus on strategic alignment and seamless execution drove creativity and efficiency in every initiative.

Chicago, Il

Joined the team as a photo producer managing location scouting, talent acquisition, and run of show day operations. Expanded role as head of all experiential activations for the brand, overseeing a portfolio of large-scale projects and events with up to 7-figure budget. Responsible for the overall success of experiential initiatives by unifying teams around process, communication, and expectations – including brief intake, cross-functional and agency collaboration, procurement, onsite troubleshooting, and billing. Winning the Gold Ex Awards 2002Drove a number of strategic projects including an exclusive brand activation and concert (Sound Bites) with charity and corporate partners, a 6-figure activation event with Presto Resto, and end-to-end delivery plan for a co-branded events throughout New York.

Chicago, Il

Led the in-house Studio Production team comprised of 8 stylists and producers in executing weekly photoshoots for E-Commerce. Produced content, video, photography, to elevate the brand on social media and in customer-facing marketing campaigns. Promoted to production manager (2018) with a heavier role in managing studio operations, project scheduling, budgeting, and talent (hair, wardrobe stylists, models). Continually sought out opportunities to improve work quality and streamline processes as the company grew. Improved methods for handling video/photo requests to more consistently meet delivery expectations. Reduced operating costs by shifting spend from agency recruitment and better utilizing in-house talent. Guided weekly status meetings to prioritize projects across internal teams.

Chicago, Il

Scheduled and managed photo shoots for a creative studio specializing in food photography, design, and production work. Coordinated teams of designers, traffic managers, account executives, photographers, and stylists to ensure shoots were executed on-time and within budget. Strategized with Accounts team to prioritize projects and maintain communication. Created a 3-point approval system to streamline scheduling of photographers and stylists, thereby reducing the potential for costly retouching and reshoots.

Chicago, Il

Creative consultant and freelance photographer, working with agencies and brands on editorial, events, food, and marketing shoots. Collaborate with photographers as a studio producer, coordinating set dressing, food and prop styling, and talent casting. Source shoot locations and assist with set up and transport of high-value photography equipment.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Location sourced for TV and Photography shoots in the Chicago Area. Permitted locations, Managed sites, and organized library of assets.

Chicago, Il

Worked with national accounts (Nestle Waters, Hersey, James Beard Foundation) to execute print projects to client, brand, and quality standards. Communicated project specs, deadlines, and expectations to agency teams in Chicago, Connecticut, and Portland. Collaborated with designers to establish timelines, budgets, and coordinate workflow. Managed relationships with printing vendors and negotiated service contracts to optimize for quality and cost. Supervised a junior traffic manager and facilitated weekly status meetings to prioritize projects.