Showcase & Discover Creative Work

STEPHEN A. HUBER
12417 Jeremys Landing Dr. E. | Jacksonville, Florida 32258 | (904) 298-4059 | kcjeep@comcast.net | www.behance.net/shdesign

SUMMARY

A highly accomplished advertising and marketing professional with broad-based experience in creative direction, retail communication and brand campaign strategy. A talented and diplomatic problem solver who delivers polished messaging solutions that maximize opportunities, strengthen corporate reputation and drive measurable results.

Creative Communicator, Seasoned Strategist:
Innovator who seizes opportunities that propel growth, positioning and profit.
Leader who spearheads unique branding and messaging initiatives that strengthen brand equity.

• Developer of creative, custom tailored messages, impactful visual synergies and effective branding standards for each campaign by leveraging cross-functional business teams, customer insight data and merchandising leadership to enhance overall impact and ensure appropriateness of consistent message.
• Successful in building brand messaging and imagery that further enhances internal brand ambassadorship by leveraging the executive voice and forwarding employee-based promotions.
• Deep experience in strategic message versioning by demographic target base and company-wide implementation of tangible and electronic campaign elements.
• Flexible, multi-talented individual who brings natural enthusiasm, leadership and galvanizing ideas into every creative challenge.


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WINN-DIXIE STORES, INC., Jacksonville, Florida
Creative Manager/Art Director, Advertising/Marketing, 2010 - Present

Having stayed on with Winn-Dixie Marketing through two intensive staff audits and internal restructurings, has been positioned as lead of company-wide in-store signage management/aesthetics, creative direction over all new circular ad rebranding, creative lead over all private label packaging and owner of all creative responsibilities linked to the development of new corporate style guide.

• Rebranded weekly circular advertisements: Singlehandedly created a functional new look, modular layout and merchandising rationale; thereby, greatly improving the readability of featured item/price messaging, increasing sales opportunities by 5% and aesthetically enhancing the most critical sales communication tool of this Fortune 500© company. Since launch on 07/13/11, sales have exceeded
plan to date.
• Creative direction over all aspects of store grand-reopening circular advertisements, covering interchangeable eight-week copy cycle, photography and custom theme development to match demographic insights, segmentation and appropriate multi-cultural messaging strategies.
• Creative lead over all new private label packaging artwork, merchandising visualization and packaging synergy with current branding direction.
• Copywriter and editor for multiple functions spanning across all current elements in marketing mix.
• Creative manager over all in-store signage, messaging display development and chain-wide integration with department specific décor elements.
• Working with external software developers, leading development of an operations-wide flowchart and in-store electronic schematic system to manage all signage in individually defined marketing areas.
• Currently directing the creation of an all-encompassing corporate style guide based on new circular ad elements to lock in consistent messaging and build synergy throughout all branding endeavors.
• Contributing manager over outside agency support: Daymon Design, On Ideas Advertising & Communications Agency and Zubi Advertising Services, Inc.
• Contributing manager over print suppliers, print process and print bid negotiations.
• Creative manager over digital photography selection process, in-house equipment sourcing/training and archiving/naming conventions for all photo libraries.


WINN-DIXIE STORES, INC., Jacksonville, Florida
Corporate Brands Creative Manager, Advertising/Marketing, 2007 - 2010

Led all aspects of creative direction, branding and messaging campaign development for Winn-Dixie’s rapidly evolving Corporate Brands program. When hired in March of 2007, spearheaded the visual redefinition of Winn-Dixie’s 80-plus store brands under three distinct labels: Winn-Dixie, Winn & Lovett and Thrifty Maid. From concept to completion, was solely responsible for seeing that all deliverables created for every endeavor bearing any of Winn-Dixie’s private label logos met ever-changing brand standards, positioning challenges and worked synergistically with all companywide programs. In addition to the multifaceted nature of this role, had to continuously take the initiative by seeking out intercompany partnerships, media opportunities and work towards developing “believers” by being a tireless promoter of “own” brands. Overall, has held a key role in elevating Winn-Dixie’s private label program from nonexistence to the recognizable status it enjoys today.

• Managed all aspects of creative direction, brand standardization and marketing for promotional campaigns, packaging and communications bearing the Winn-Dixie, Winn & Lovett and Thrifty Maid logos.
• Managed multi-million dollar signage budget, direct reports, interns and print negotiations.
• Directed all photography and on set/on location food stylization for all private label marketing, packaging, advertising and communications materials.
• Drafted and edited copy written for corporate brands branding materials, advertising and communications.
• Built and managed companywide communications covering private label marketing campaign logistics,
signage installation instructions and timing/refresh fulfillment schedules.
• Directed all aspects of monthly WINNing Smile intercompany private label news publication.
• Continuously mediated to build positive intercompany relationships between departments and external business partners to align and forward all aspects of private label program success.
• Initiated and solidified paperless routing system for all Marketing Department creative materials.
• Established networked intercompany archiving system for electronic packaging files, photography and copy.


ADVANTUS CORP., Jacksonville, Florida
Marketing Services Manager, 2005 – 2007

Managed the Graphics Department, all projects that required printing services and multiple marketing functions. Developed a project tracking system and department wide procedural forms that organized and streamlined the workflow of all graphics functions, communications and timeline fulfillment. All packaging production required file transfer, communications and logistics with printing sources in Asia. Deeply involved with trade show preparation, set-up and execution. While attending trade shows, responsibilities were with direct sales, product presentations, branding presentations to prospective partners and show-floor management. Received the Rookie of the Year award in December of 2005.

• Managed the workflow of the Graphics Department: Catalog development, packaging direction, print artwork, prototyping, photography, advertisements, signage for tradeshows/presentations, interactive media, data archiving, direct mail and webpage development.
• Managed the workflow of all marketing coordinators: Presentations, plan-o-gram creation, sample pack-outs, order form development, SKU Matrix functions, literature requests, data archiving and relationship building with assigned brands/clients.
• Managed all aspects of printing needs for Advantus Corp: Sourcing, bid negotiation, press checks, proofing/editing functions, logistics and timeline fulfillment.
• Developed successful tracking systems and procedural forms for all departmental functions.
• Worked as “hands-on” council on unique product development team.


RON SACHS COMMUNICATIONS. Tallahassee, Florida
Assistant Director of Art and Technology/Senior Graphic Artist, 2001 – 2005

While a student at the University of Florida, worked as a freelance graphic artist, landing and managing multiple accounts by independently seeking out opportunities. Upon graduation, was invited to gain full-time employment with Ron Sachs Communications. Quickly earned the reputation of being dependable, prolific and accurate. Received multiple gold and silver Addy awards and was presented with a Most Valuable Player trophy. Time with Ron Sachs Communications allowed for the opportunity to gain experience through executing high-caliber PR, advertising and marketing campaigns within a fast paced agency environment.

• Continuously created effective visual tools for various marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns while adhering to strict and multiple deadlines.
• Conceptualized, created and presented visual and messaging elements for major client presentations with detailed rationale.
• Communicated directly with clientele, printing services and media services to optimize the unique needs of each campaign.
• Juggled print, out-of-door, direct mail, web, animation, graphics for television and combined forms of visual media.
• Incorporated self-captured photographs into productions.
• Successfully worked within a team environment while demonstrating initiative and follow-through on all responsibilities.
• Assisted in the maintenance of an Apple based network (Xserve) and performed general computer troubleshooting for Mac and PC.


ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freehand illustrations, storyboard illustrations, food styling, digital photography, copy/slogan development, logo development and creative brainstorming.


EDUCATION

University of Florida
Bachelor of Science, Advertising - 2002
Outside Concentration, Anthropology

• Placed third in North America -Chosen by senior advertising faculty to represent the University of Florida in the International Advertising Association's InterAd global advertising campaign competition.
• Gained honorary membership within the International Advertising Association.
• Received two supplementary diplomas of expertise in international advertising.
• Participated as a member of the American Advertising Federation.


VOLUNTEER WORK

Gainesville Pet Rescue 1998 -2000
Kid’s Voting -Leon County 2003 -2005 Read Less