Joseph A. Cabusao

Seasoned creative professional with over eleven years experience developing and implementing strategic creative solutions across a broad range of areas to include: consumer packaged goods, automotive, entertainment, government, retail and non-profit. Possess team building and leadership strengths with proven ability to hire, train and motivate top performing teams. Strong relationship building skills an outstanding perception of client / customer needs and the ability to recommend effective solutions. Learns quickly and thrives on challenges.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Client Relations / Customer Service
• Creative Development / Execution
• Team Building / Leadership • Problem-solving
• Hiring, Training & Mentoring
• Presentations / Public Speaking

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

JAC CREATIVE SOLUTIONS & DESIGN, Chicago, Illinois 2008 - present An independent, privately-owned creative solutions company.

Senior Creative / Art Director (Freelance) Provide creative leadership in the conceptual development, design and execution of Client deliverables. Participate in creative briefings, concept development and delivering polished presentations to Clients to sell-in concept ideas, which are aligned with Client’s advertising/marketing goals. Clients include: Chicago State University, Escendent Professional Service Firm, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Children’s Athletic Scholarship Fund.

CAROL H. WILLIAMS ADVERTISING, Chicago, Illinois 2006 – 2008 A full-service advertising agency.

Art Director Provided leadership direction in the conceptual development and design phases for integrated branding and communications programs. Collaboratively worked with a team of designers, copywriters, and production specialists to ensure quality and sound strategic thinking were applied to all creative advertising elements. Clients included: US Army, Coca-Cola, Kraft, Hamburger Helper, Pine-Sol, Sunny D, Nationwide Insurance and Clorox.

• Participated in creative briefings and reviewed all supporting materials to obtain appropriate understanding of Client goals and objectives. • Assumed a leadership role in the Associate Creative Director’s absence.
Provided guidance and mentoring to junior creative staff and freelance personnel in the development of concepts. • Visually executed concepts through graphic design, photo shoots, TV shoots, editing and all other aspects of design. • Delivered polished presentations to internal senior management and Clients to sell-in program ideas and concepts, which were strategically aligned with the Clients goals and objectives. • Monitored all budgets, timeframes and performed follow through on all phases of production. • Participated in the Agency’s new business development process to provide breakthrough creative elements, which resulted in incremental new business for the agency.

DANIELLE ASHLEY COMMUNICATIONS, Chicago, Illinois 2005 – 2006 A full-service agency providing PR/Advertising services.

Creative Director Provided management of creative team and ensured overall quality and strategic thinking were applied to all creative advertising elements. Managerial responsibilities included recruiting, training and nurturing of creative staff and establishment of standards and style guidelines. Clients included: Illinois Lottery, ComEd, Walgreens, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Domestic Violence Court.

• Provided direction and managed the creative development and production processes for all agency assignments, as well as, all high-end marketing sales material for client presentations. • Managed team of designers to support the corporate image and strategy of clients. • Established a creative vision, attitude and tone for each individual project to ensure effective strategy and that the resulting output exceeds Client's expectations.

ARTISAN, Chicago, Illinois 2002 - 2005 Interim staffing company specializing in graphic arts/new media placement.

Art Director/Production Artist (Freelance) Client work included: AMS Direct – Direct Marketing Corporation (Burr Ridge, Illinois) Ambrosi and Associates – Retail Catalog Agency (Chicago, Illinois), Burrell Communications – Advertising Agency (Chicago, Illinois), Flair Communications – Marketing and Promotions Agency (Chicago, Illinois) Walgreens Corporation – Retail/Pharmaceutical Corporation (Deerfield, Illinois).

• Assisted Creative Directors in development of packaging and direct mail concepts for new business efforts. • Designed product packaging to coincide with identified marketing campaigns. • Collaborated with other designers to create print materials for retail products.

RPM ADVERTISING, Chicago, Illinois 2002 - 2005 A marketing/advertising agency.

Art Director/Production Artist (Freelance) Assisted in the creative development and production processes of featured client work to include: Horseshoe Casino, Hertz, Clark / White Hen, Treasure Island Casino.

• Created and enhanced three-dimensional elements for new business presentations. • Provided creative direction for development of: 60 TV spot for MGM Grand Casinos. Managed all aspects of production to include preparation of character images, design layout and scenery.

FRANKEL/Publicis Communications Group S.A., Chicago, Illinois 1997 - 2002 A marketing-promotions agency.

Mount Room Manager (1999 - 2002) • Mount Room Assistant (1997 – 1999) Fostered a positive creative, professional environment and helped focus on the company's philosophy on all levels. Managed Mount Room staff’s professional development, creative and conceptual abilities and individual style. Featured client work included: McDonald’s, Target, BP Amoco, Visa, United States Postal Service, Frito-Lay, Tropicana, United Airlines, and Centers for Disease Control.

PASSIONS & RELATED INTERESTS

CHICAGO WOMEN WITH AIDS PROJECT, Chicago, Illinois 1990 – 1995

Youth Program Director • Developed creative programs and utilized art as therapy to improve and enhance
the physical and emotional well-being of children ages 8 -15 years old. • Monitored and assessed the daily activities and care for the children of participants in the program. • Managed the development and execution of the annual youth holiday program.

EDUCATION
American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL Columbia College, Chicago, IL Associate of Applied Science, 1994 Certification – Animation, 1990

TECHNICAL SKILLS Highly proficient in Adobe Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3, InDesign CS3, and PowerPoint.