retromatt.com

experience

ypb&r | orlando, fl | 2005 - present
vice-president, interactive creative director
YPB&R is a marketing, advertising and public relations agency that delivers extraordinary results for clients through proprietary consumer insights, surprising strategies, big ideas and bold creative executions. At YPB&R we build powerful service brands, with an unrivaled expertise in the travel and leisure industries.

I act as the creative lead on all interactive projects within the agency, reporting directly to the president and chief creative officer. I am tasked with evangelizing the benefit interactive media and non-traditional creative executions can have for our client’s messaging. While also working with other teams to integrate our campaign messaging across disciplines and provide a broader perspective on the use of a key design solution that can be executed from the traditional media through viral campaigns.

Another key responsibility is to develop new business with tasks ranging from lead generation to responding to RFPs and pitching new projects. Working with internal partners to determine potential projects and clients and helping deliver the research necessary to determine our success within these new avenues.

Clients I worked directly with are: Azulera, Cancun, Canyon Ranch, The German National Tourist Office, The Grand Legacy Club, Grupo Mayan, Bahamas National Tourist Office, La Casa del Zorro, Marriott Hotels, NYLO Hotels, Presidential Suites, The Outer Banks of North Carolina, Panama City CVB, Sandpearl Resorts & Residences, The Special Olympics of Florida, St Petersburg/Clearwater Beach CVB, Vista Club Orlando and The Walt Disney Co.

maka’s surf shop | windermere, fl | 2002 - 2006
big kahuna
Own and operate an independent boutique design studio specializing in all forms of visual communications and integration of digital communications. Actively pursue markets that may have traditionally been underserved and deliver the big idea that can be executed across all media. Services offered are; web design and development, web applications, video editing, compositing and DVD design and development. We provide custom solution for the entertainment industry as well as governmental and corporate facilities.

A partial listing of our clients: The Walt Disney Co., Integrity Arts, NavAir, The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, Crainium Productions, Canyon Ranch & YPB&R.

hallmark.com | kansas city, mo | 2000 - 2002
associate art director
Key responsibilities are to provide daily creative direction to the Creative Services team while reporting to the Creative Services Director. Utilize my expertise and industry knowledge to analyze industry trends and adapt creative vision to leverage appropriate avenues for Hallmark.com to capitalize on while developing consensus among executive management.

Assess the current, short term and long term goals of team members to plan career growth while leveraging current skill sets to immediate production needs. Provide training and mentoring to a team that consisted of both artistic and technical members. Prime contact for the creative direction of all major initiatives, with multiple internal and external vendors, to grow site, enhance user experience, ease shopping paths and stabilize the site. Determine project schedules and budgets while maintaining accountability for adherence to deadlines and production of deliverables.

Due to my experience I was also a member of architecture, planning and implementation teams to grow Hallmark.com from a solely commerce site to a community-based destination offering a wide variety of products and content. Initiate utilization of corporate style guides for Hallmark.com while also acting as representative to Hallmark Corporate on initiatives to create global standards for the new Hallmark identity to span media.

the walt disney company | lake buena vista, fl | 1997 - 2000
multimedia producer
Responsible for creation of digital and print collateral for clients, participant vendors, and internal customers. Act as lead creative direction with the producer and client to provide appropriate conceptual designs, accurate estimates and timelines as well as determine any third party needs as they arise.Utilize the latest technology to provide broadcast graphics, animations, graphic design, illustrations, website, and interactive programming from the conceptual stages through post-production. Manage the daily operations of internal production department while sourcing freelance needs throughout the local design community.

We worked from internal partners within the Disney corporate structure to independent clientèle. Along with traditional creative development I also, designed the graphics package for Donna’s Day Starring Donna Erickson on Odyssey Network. Electronic Graphics screen credit for Petsburgh USA (2nd Season) on Animal Planet. Compositor on Good Dog U for Animal Planet.

macwizards & co | orlando, fl | 1995 - 1997
creative director
Managed the creative direction of a computer retailer. Re-engineered corporate identity while initiating use of corporate style guides, creation of internet presence, design of all sales and marketing collateral. Maintained advertising budget while leveraging opportunities to expand corporations market presence.

articulate design studio | orlando, fl | 1992 - 1997
partner
Responsible for creative management of a design studio. Manage existing client roster while actively pursuing new partners for ventures ranging from live entertainment to exhibit design. Identify market trends and adapt new technologies where relevant and market them to appropriate client base. Work on projects ranging from illustration and website creation to product design and 3-D animation.

Clients included: The Walt Disney Co., Nickelodeon Studios, The Jacksonville Jaguars, Radio City Music Hall Productions, Nature Conservancy and more.

book brothers booksellers | red bank, nj | 1989 - 1992
partner
Owned and operated an independent bookstore. Responsible for all aspects of operating a retail establishment, along with my partners.

freelance artist | holmdel, nj | 1989 - 1992
Worked as an artist throughout the greater NYC metropolitan area for such clients as MTV, VH-1, Nickelodeon, The Gap, and Gitano Jeans. Undertake projects ranging from traditional board work and illustrations to graphic design and identity systems.

Other Experience

Judge for the 2007 Internet Advertising Awards

I have served on the board of Shepherd’s Hope Health Center, a non-profit health care center, as well as volunteered with various community efforts.

awards & recognition

4th District AAF Gold Addy Award NYLO Hotels
OAF Gold Addy YPB&R Holiday Card
OAF Silver Addy Award NYLO Hotels
OAF Silver Addy Award Paradise By Marriott
Webby Honoree Paradise By Marriott.
Create Magazine Summer 2006 Issue - site review of NYLO Hotels website.
Orlando Magazine - reference of OAF Addy Awards

education

the university of the arts | philadelphia, pa | may 21, 1988
bachelor of fine arts in illustration
Traditional training in all aspects of drawing and painting in media ranging from charcoal and pastels to oils and airbrush. Heavy minor emphasis on Photography while also working in disciplines ranging from bookbinding to jewelry.