Michelle Lees Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Mn

Responsible for development and execution of branding initiatives and creative projects within Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Development of long and short-term strategies, plans, products and promotional programs for TIRC brands and Prairie Island Indian Community. Responsible for a high level of collaboration and service with enterprise brands including casino, hotel, amphitheater, event center, spa, restaurants, bars, water park, bowling and gift shop. Responsible for creative collaboration with external community partners including Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx, Saint Paul Saints and national recording artists and bands. Responsible for the development of package design, marketing and promotional collateral and support materials. Oversee design and development of holistic print and digital materials across channels with a focus on maximizing revenue generating results. Manage a high volume of creative projects and workflows while ensuring conformance to TIRC brand standards. Develop and recommend objectives and strategies for the effective product and placement of advertising messages. Work with external ad agency partners and other vendors to ensure continuity in design. Develop and produce large format graphics, casino and resort signage and miscellaneous internal and external communications. Prep and preflight art files for printing. Schedule and coordinate external print vendor quotes and estimates. Protect the integrity of TIRC brand standards. Contribute in the development of long-range creative planning and strategies and manage short-range objectives to meet volume of expenditure objectives for assigned categories.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Deliver strategic creative direction, design and oversight of brand executions including digital, print, experiential, paid social, video, and branding. Manage varied teams of art directors, contracted designers, copywriters, content producers and production artists. Mentor to multiple creatives. Specialize in strategic branding which builds relationship and authenticity with consumers. Creating a new identity system or making an existing identity work harder. Discovering the power of a brand, digging deeper and challenging assumptions. Delivering holistic cross-channel messaging and reinforcing messaging across impressions allows for strong sales conversion.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Day-to-day design and administrative leadership for the Jostens Creative team including 10 FTE's working to support 7 brands/business units across the enterprise. Work closely with and reporting to the Vice President of Marketing to support the developmental growth of the Jostens Creative team, including the oversight of the Creative team's function and output. Lead in the establishment and implementation of design standards and efficient workflow processes. Partner with Sr. Director, Art Services, in the development and implementation of creative production improvements. Partner with enterprise functions to assign resources or support internal communication and creative needs.Responsible for leading creative strategy development, execution of brand and product communication materials, (including print, web, email, multimedia and packaging) in support of the Scholastic Grad business unit. In addition, I contribute to product design initiatives supporting Jostens enterprise business. I am committed to design excellence across a full spectrum of print and digital mediums and work to promote the highest level of brand integrity and excellence across all communication channels. I work to actively contribute in the cultivation and evolution of the Jostens brand through relevant, on-trend creative interpretation. And aspire to maintain the highest levels of artistic consistency, accuracy and technical skills. While meeting all strategic objectives, deliverables and timing for projects and initiatives.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Responsible for leading creative strategy development, execution of brand and product communication materials, (including print, web, email, multimedia and packaging) in support of the Scholastic and NEFF business units. In addition, I contribute to product design initiatives supporting Jostens enterprise business. I am committed to design excellence across a full spectrum of print and digital mediums and work to promote the highest level of brand integrity and excellence across all communication channels. I work to actively contribute in the cultivation and evolution of the Jostens brand through relevant, on-trend creative interpretation. And aspire to maintain the highest levels of artistic consistency, accuracy and technical skills. While meeting all strategic objectives, deliverables and timing for projects and initiatives.

Eden Prairie

Work in support of the growing Cilento Photography business segment, the Product and Studio Designer is instrumental in product and studio development. Core accountabilities of this role include: • Leading the design and development of new photography products, templates, merchandise, and studio support materials.• Consulting on the layout, preparation and setup of new studios (e.g., imagery, backgrounds, props, furnishings and interior design). • Developing new backgrounds and props in partnership with Photography. • Partnering with external vendors and subject matter experts regarding products, supplies, collateral, etc. • Develops and designs new products (e.g., albums, memory books, cards and supporting materials).• Researches and develops industry-leading products tailored to our unique clients (high schools seniors, weddings, family and children). • Ensures the continual evolution of the Cilento Photography brand in conjunction with current photography and consumer trends.• Designs and develops product templates (e.g., wedding announcements, graduation cards, holiday cards, and other specialty products).• Develops studio merchandising and support materials (e.g., portrait and product samples, in-studio signage, forms, etc.) • Develops compelling sales materials to support Studio Managers and sales professionals (when partnering with schools, businesses, and wedding vendors).• Provides design direction in support of studio expansion (e.g., furniture, interior design, accessories).• Leads the preparation and setup of new studios (including purchasing and interior design).

Minneapolis

Work as a member of the print and online production team to support the translation of JMA and its clients' marketing and communications objectives into creative strategies, coordinate the appropriate use of clients' brand and identity, and participate in sourcing and coordinating with outside suppliers who produce materials in support of JMA clients' initiatives.• Coordinate and manage the generation and updating of visual assets for print and online collateral.• Create design concepts to support the organization's communications and marketing objectives (annual reports, fundraising events, services collateral, marketing campaigns, etc.)• Maintain brand guidelines, train and support design contributors throughout the organization, and ensure consistency and adherence to guidelines.• Ensure commitment to quality in all print and online publications by engaging in best practices, accountable for accuracy and timeliness.• Develop resources which support marketing and communications work.• Evaluate performance of print and online pieces, identify opportunities, provide recommendations and implement plans to achieve strategic organizational goals and objectives.

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Responsibilities included graphic design, color correction and photo retouching using Adobe CC. Designed and produced the Lifetouch Focus book as well as designing a significant portion of their Summer Product Pack for the JCPenney and Target Portrait studios.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Applied Design

Applied Design, College of Design

A.A.S., Multimedia Web Design

Activities and Societies: Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; DCTC President's List 2010, 2011 and 2012; Catechist Volunteer at All Saints.