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Summary

.  the  sum  .

Creative Directorwith experience, in Advertising and Marketing.  Establishes successful in-house departments, manages teams, and directly supports CEO and VP.  Produces brand identity, web development, social media, print, and graphic design with strengths in creative thinking, quick design, effective time management and valuable communication skills.

.  the  specialty  .

Managing teams and supporting your company.
Developing department hierarchy, structure, workflow and creative process.
Developing brand identity, websites, print production, digital media, social media and more.
Proven ability to recognize talent, hire, train and manage personnel.
Proven ability to give Mac Tech support and setups.

.  the  skill  .

photoshop . indesign . illustrator . html5 . java script . jquery . cascading style sheets . SEO . drupal . word press . dreamweaver . flash . after effects . animate . bridge . quark xpress . director . word . excel . powerpoint . keynote . filemaker . quickbase . softimage . freehand . golive . sound edit . soundsampler . pagemaker . dimensions . numbers . pages . iweb . garageband  .

.  the  goal  .

Encourage, lead and learn.  Make a difference beyond my responsibilities.  Inspire & have fun.

.  the  proud  stats  .

Tropicana Entertainment:

From inception, created the in-house advertising agency:
 - Infrastructure, work process, hiring, data trafficking, branding guidelines, department procedures, computer & network setups. 
 - Resulted in over $365,000 annual cost savings.

• Established, directed, mentored and lead an amazing team of 10 that produced:
 - Year one:       5700 individual job requests.
 - Year two:      8,620 job requests (averaging 717 jobs per month)
 - Year three: 20,200 completed job request total (not including 2-3 average revisions per job)
 - NEVER missed a costly vendor deadline.  
 - A true definition of inspired teamwork.

Caesars Entertainment:

• Workloads: 20 design projects done daily and 400 projects done monthly.

• Helped develop, Caesars Entertainment in-house Advertising Department, which saved outsourcing costs exceeding $900,000 annually.

Work History

2017PRESENT

Creative Director

State Of Play Studio

About SOP
“The strongest ideas come during our state of play.
This state of mind is critical to design."  Play + Subconscious =
Free Association
 .&. Free Association = Effective Design


Our Purpose
We are the advertising agency fiercely focused on the individuals vision.
We use our data, technology and creative smarts to make meaningful, connections with every single person a brand knows.


Our Family
We are part of the Division Of Gaming group, which is part of every AC casino and their sister properties. This DGE group includes 20+ Hotel & Resorts across the US, 92 vendor agencies, printers & other well-known acronyms.

Our Clients
From binge watching to business building, we provide smart branding solutions for companies like Caesars Entertainment, AC Country Club, Harrah’s, Hard Rock, The Media & Marketing Group, Borgata, Marketing Results, The Next Media Group, Tropicana Entertainment, Ocean County Admin., theD Hotel & Resort, Golden Gate, Montrose Environmental,
Nobel Biocare, GSK Dentistry, SiriusXM and Memorial Sloan Kettering.


Responsibilities:

• Proven start-up and management of in-house advertising agency.

• Created design concepts, brand identity, and promotions including mobile apps, logos, websites, banners, email blasts, animation, billboards, direct mail, signage, invites, wraps and more.

• Directed creative campaigns, brand integrity, strategies, production, copywriting and presentations met client turnarounds.

• Created workflow procedures, data-trafficking, policy, and brand guidelines.

• Monitored and forecasted projects to ensure outcomes met client budget.

• Analyzed research trends and submitted request for proposals.

• Contract development and finance management.

• Constructed network systems, troubleshoot hardware, identified and resolved IT problems (installation, repair and maintenance for OS).

20142017

Creative Services Director

Tropicana Entertainment Inc

Creating and overseeing brand identities, for 10 Properties, which include: Atlantic City, Belle Of Baton Rouge, MontBleu, Aruba, Laughlin, Greenville, Evansville, Lumiere, TropWorld & Online Gaming)

• Created, developed and managed in-house advertising agency.

• Created workflow procedures, policy, and brand standards guidelines.

• Constructed department hierarchy, employee qualifications and responsibilities.

• Hired, trained, evaluated, and supervised all designers, production and advertising staff.

• Analyzed, monitored, tracked and forecasted projects to ensure outcomes met department budget.

• Contract development, registration and finance management liaison between vendors, internal management, outside advertising agencies and all 10 properties.

• Analyzed research trends, developed creative briefs and submitted request for proposals.

• Directed creative campaigns, to ensure integrity of creative brand, strategies, input accuracy, production, copy, reviews, photo-shoots, and presentations met strict turnaround deadlines.

• Constructed network systems, troubleshoot hardware, identified and resolved problems.

• Performed installation, repair and maintenance for operating systems and employee stations.

• Produced cost effective solutions (see proud stats), that maintained department efficiency, for computers, accessories, software, data - trafficking systems, hiring and network equipment purchases.

Sept 2013Oct 2014

OIC (Officer In Charge - Manager)

United States Postal Office (Chatsworth, Vincentown, NewLisbon, Birmingham)

For 4 offices, performed supervisory, window, general delivery, rural route, highway contract route and city delivery services that supported a staff when the Postmaster was on leave or not available.

• Operated a single unit postal facility supervising a small size group of carriers and clerks in the performance of distribution, delivery and window services.

• Submitted and monitored a weekly operating budget.

• Trained new employees to ensure quality service.

• Maintained files, records, and submitted daily reports.

• Personally handled window transactions, and distribution tasks, for all workloads.

• Daily organization of files for accountable paper, building equipment, and staff supplies.

• Ensured safeguards were instituted for the welfare of customers and protection of the mail.

• Implemented programs, tested, and operated within federal postal rules, laws and regulations.

Jan 2013Sept 2013

Web Designer

Ocean County College / Kean University

Web Design Certifications:

- HTML5
- JavaScript
- jQuery
- CSS
- Search Engine Optimization
- Meta Data - Bridge - Internet Ranking
- Advanced Photoshop
- Advanced Illustrator
- Dreamweaver
- Flash
- Keynote Presentations
- Acrobat Pro (Signatures, Forms, Watermarks etc.)

Achieved 72 Technician Certifications for DirectTV

• IT Troubleshooting SWim, KaKu, SD, HD, DVR, CCK, MRV & MoCA networks.

• College Course Structure:
- FCC and state regulations, radio frequency, precise satellite dish peaking (tilt, elevation, azimuth setup/readings), Ghz-Mhz conversions, transformer signals, polarity transmissions, FSK frequency, atmosphere conditions, weather variations, bandwidth, voltage power, grounding code, house schematics, KaKu and SWiM diagrams, and space (Clarke's Belt) Geostationary orbit, its impact on geosynchronous satellite distances, rotation and transmission signals.

20122013

Senior Art Director

M Partners: The Media Marketing Group (M&M Adv Agency)

M Partners, also known as "The Media & Marketing Group (M&M)" is one of four units from the Star Group Communications firm.  With nine offices, we covered brand planning categories such as destination, hospitality, health, gaming, non-profit, sports and retail.  Creative spanned commercial, TV, radio, print, outdoor, web and more.

• Directed 3 Designers, Copywriter and Associate Director.

• Client range spanned 50 casinos for gaming, destination, hospitality, health, non-profit, sports and retail (such as the Hard Rock, Tropicana, Sands, theD, Golden Gate, Lake of the Torches, Seneca, Red Hawk, Las Vegas Hilton, Montreign, Blu Stone, Currents, UFC and more.)

• Created designed concepts, brand identity, and promotional events that included logos, billboards, banners, direct mail, signage, menus, invites, websites, plasmas, marquees, vehicle wraps, wall murals, commercials, TV, radio, and more.

• Developed entertainer branding and promotional material.

20082012

Senior Designer

Caesars Entertainment Inc.

Caesars Entertainment is the largest gaming company spanning across the U.S. and abroad. Having over 45 gaming brands, my projects involved their casinos, hotels, spas, restaurants, property events and more. Working within their Atlantic City division, I was responsible for Caesars, Harrah's Resort, Bally's, Showboat, Wild Wild West, House of Blues, The Pier, Atlantic City Country Club, Harrah's Chester and The Pool After Dark properties.

• Assisted developing advertising departments infrastructure, workflow, creative process, hiring, training and mentoring employees.

• Created master templates, organized workflow, and archives, for entire in-house studio.

• Worked daily with VP, Directors & Management to ensure consistent brand appearance.

• Executed creative designs for brand identity projects, billboards, lightfaces, direct-mail, banners, signage, menus, invites, website, plasmas, light displays and more.

• Styled, photographed, color corrected, and retouched entertainment images and products.

• Average work: 20 design projects daily and 400 projects monthly.

• Mac Tech Support: Consulted in network, software purchases and setup. Performed installation, repair, and preventative maintenance for operating systems. Troubleshoot software and hardware failures as well as identified network problems.

In-House Advertising Department Clients:
• Caesars Hotel Casino
• Harrah's Resorts
• Bally's Hotel Casino
• Showboat The Mardi Gras Casino
• House Of Blues
• Atlantic City Country Club
• Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

19922008

Senior Graphic Designer

Pathmark Supermarkets Inc.

Known as a top ranking north american food retailer, it was at this fortune 500 corporation that I was promoted seven times.  Our advertising and marketing team was responsible for 132 Pathmark stores across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.  I was hands on, and valued, as an employee responsible for assisting in the start up of their new in-house advertising department and digital photo studio.

Senior Graphic Designer: 2001 - 2008

• Directly worked with CEO, Vice President, Department Heads and Managers to develop concepts, marketing, designs & standards for all creative projects.

• Executed all internal and external projects including posters, logos, circulars, brochures, illustrations, presentations, displays and video props.

• Directed vendors and managed all outsourced projects and personnel.

• Developed identity packages, created and maintained master shells, organized workflow and documentation.

• Directed creative for original web page design.

• Utilize sign language to communicate with hearing impaired employees.

• Guided, assisted and motivated Creative, Layout and Digital Studio staff.

• Participated in developing & maintaining archiving and network structure.

Creative Designer: 1998 - 2001

• Developed shells and appearance of weekly circular.

• Interacted with digital studio photographers and departments.

• Created spot illustrations.

• Assisted in web page design.

Digital Artist: 1995 - 1998

• Performed color correction of photography for 4-color work.

• Expertly performed clipping and photo retouching.

• Created a system to archive network files efficiently.

• Liaison with digital photographers, vendors, buyers and department heads.

• Trained employees on digital software.

Illustrator: 1994 - 1995

• Reorganized and implemented a new illustration department.

• Produced spot illustrations and product renderings for cover pages, brochures, signs, slides, ads, page headers and video.

Graphic Designer1993 - 1994

• Participated in developing and maintaining archiving and network structure.

• Developed a standard for Pathmark logos, page layouts, template creations.

• Daily work entailed newspaper and retail advertisements for yellowbirds, circular, inserts, strip ads, grand re-openings and handouts.

Production Artist: 1992 - 1993

• Supported standard style for Pathmark logos, page layouts.

• Daily work entailed newspaper and retail advertisements for yellowbirds, circular, inserts, strip ads, grand re-openings and handouts.

Electronic Quality Output Controller: 1995 - 1998

• Troubleshoot, maintain, calibrate and insure excellent film quality is released from Linotronic 530 machines.

• Liaison to computer consultants for network & server knowledge.

    19901992

    Graphic Designer

    Federal Direct Marketing & Print Solutions

    Since 1926 Federal Direct has been a provider of direct marketing, in print, design and mailing, for pharmaceutical, insurance and retail clients.  It was here that I not only developed traditional design techniques but learned hands on experience within their printing plants.  With modern facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, Federal provides cutting-edge production, data management and design to this day.

    • Managers assistant. 

    • Coordinator to printers and sales people.

    • Production of client advertising, logos and business forms. 

    • Use of color key equipment, daylight camera and photography equipment. 

    • Major accounts: Macy’s, JCPenny, Prudential and Chase Manhattan.

    • Experience with two in house pre-press plants, offset printing, plate production, binding and more.

    19891990

    Graphic Designer

    Graphic Alley Advertising

    Since 1976 Graphic Alley has been a provider of design solution, concept development, direct marketing and print.  Covering categories such as destination, hospitality, pharmaceutical, non-profit, government and retail, it was here that I developed design techniques, typography layout and photography skills.  Having two offices in New Jersey, Hazlet and Little Egg Harbor, this agency provided state of the art design.

    • Designed ads, logos, brochures, flyers, calendars and more.

    • Assisted in photo shoots and learned photography equipment use.

    • Use of Vari Type Comp Set typesetting equipment and stat machines.

    1990Present

    Education

    Sep 1986Jun 1990

    BA, Visual Arts-Design-Sociology-Science

    Rutgers University

    New Brunswick, N.J., United States

    Sep 1995Jun 1998

    Post Graduate: Advertising-Marketing-Design

    School of Visual Arts

    New York, NY, United States

    May 2013Sep 2013

    Web Design/Multimedia Management Certification

    Ocean County College

    Web certification program included web planning, interactive design, code design, SEO (search engine optimization), analytics, social networking,
    e-commerce, CMS software and web design curriculum. Courses:

    Advanced HTML 5.0  •  JavaScript  •  JQuery  •  Dreamweaver  •  Flash  •  Cascading Style Sheets  •  Web Design Concepts  •  Advanced Photoshop  •  Advanced Illustrator  •  Digital Web Design  •  Acrobat X Pro  •  Building Live Websites.  

    Home Studio: Available for Freelance.

    Jan 1998Present

    Continuing Education: Marketing, Design, Web, Social Media

    Lynda.com

    Created in 1995, and now merged with LinkedIn, Lynda.com Online Training, is a learning platform that teaches a growing range of computer skills in video format. With more than 200 full-time staff members and 140 teachers, the company website is a hub for physical classrooms and conferences. Having an online knowledge library, students may watch software and technology courses in several categories (3D and animation, audio, business, design, development, home computing, photography, video, web and interactive design). The company also produces documentaries about creative professionals.

    Jan 1998Present

    New York Chapter

    Graphic Artist Guild

    Graphic Artist Guild and Continuing Education:

    As a testament to Michael Leon's character, and desire to improve in his field, Michael became a part of the Graphic Artist Guild and continued his education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Michael completed his studies, over a 3 year period, while working a full-time position, maintaining a second part-time job, and proudly supporting his family.

    Sep 1992Present

    BA and Certifications

    Applications (Macintosh Skills)

    Software:

    HTML 5.0

    JavaScript

    jQuery

    Adobe Photoshop

    Adobe Illustrator

    Adobe Dreamweaver

    Adobe InDesign

    Adobe Acrobat

    Adobe Animate / Flash

    Adobe Bridge

    Adobe ImageReady

    Adobe After Effects

    Adobe Fireworks

    Adobe Pagemaker

    Adobe Dimensions

    Adobe GoLive

    Quark XPress

    Softimage

    SoundEdit

    SoundSampler

    Macromedia Director

    Macromedia Freehand

    Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point

    Macintosh iApplications (iWork: Keynote, Number, Pages and iLife software)

    Hardware:

    MAC OSX Systems, Networks, Digital & Social Media, Photography and Web

    Scan mate 5000 Drum Scanners, Linotronic 530, Densitometer and in-house printing plants.

    Degree

    Creative Director - www.MichaelLeon.net

    or visit:  mleonmail.wix.com/director

    Degree

    Black Belt Martial Arts Certification

    (World Tae Kwon Do Federation, Ryu Kyu Kempo, Kar Do Jitsu Ryu, Christian Black Belt Association (CBBA/SKKI), World Black Belt Bureau)

    Certifications

    Tae Kwon Do - 1st Degree Black Belt - Cho Dan

    40 years of martial art interest. 20 years of formal training and teaching include:
    Average 1 - 1 1/2 years between ranks (9 formal years of training to obtain his Cho Dan rank and currently 10 years sharing, teaching and studying at Cho Dan rank). Michael's belief is not in the title he holds but in the love of the art he carries and teaches. He currently upholds, and lives, the 6 principles of a black belt: Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit.

    Styles:
    • Tae Kwon Do
    • Ronin Grappling
    • Hapkido
    • Aikido
    • Judo
    • Jujitsu
    • Ryu Kyu Kempo
    • Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan
    • Self Defense, Compliance and Take Down

    Weaponry:
    • Bo Staff
    • Nunchuck
    • Sword
    • Skrima
    • Kama
    • Chain Whip

    Martial Art Schools Attended:
    • Tang Soo Doo Moo Duk Kwan American, Old Bridge, N.J.
    • White Tiger Martial Arts, Manahawkin, N.J
    • Ronin Judo and Grappling, Manahawkin, N.J.
    • Seigido Ryu Kardo Ru Jitsu, Howell, and Old Bridge, N.J.
    • Karate Success (Mike High Karate), Barnegat, N.J.
    • Impulse Mixed Martial Arts, Waretown, N.J.

    List of responsibilities, curriculum development, teaching experience, honors, awards, and recommendations are available upon request.

    Certifications

    Dec 2003Mar 2008

    Black Belt Martial Arts Certification

    World Tae Kwon Do Federation, Ryu Kyu Kempo, Kar Do Jitsu Ryu, Christian Black Belt Association (CBBA/SKKI), World Black Belt Bureau

    List of responsibilities, curriculum development, teaching experience, honors, awards, and recommendations are available upon request.

    Jan 2000Dec 2010

    Volunteer Coaching

    Barnegat and Stafford Township

    Barnegat Township, Ocean County, N.J.

    • Baseball (Little League, Junior Minors, Minors and Majors)
    • Basketball (3rd grade division to 8th grade division)

    Stafford Township, Ocean County, Manahawkin, N.J.
    • Hockey (Clinics)

    Jun 2000May 2008

    CPR, AED and First Aid

    American Heart Association/Trinitas Hospital

    Certified in Automated External Defibrillation, First Aid and CPR

    Mar 2000May 2008

    First Aid

    National Safety Council First Aid Institute

    Certified in First Aid and CPR

    20022004

    Secret Service Uniform Division Officer

    United States Secret Service

    Qualified & was offered job: (Michael Leon past on the opportunity)

    After a year and a half of testing and interviewing for the Secret Service, Mr. Michael Leon was offered an opportunity to work for the Secret Service U.D. division in Washington (3 weeks training in Georgia and additional 3 weeks of technical training in Mexico).

    5 Phases of qualifications included:
    • Detailed work history and background checks.
         - Qualified for High Security clearance
    • High written & verbal testing scores: Philadelphia Secret Service federal office
    • Two intensive, personal, interviews with secret service agents.
         - Atlantic City and Philadelphia
    • Detailed physical and medical testing.
    • Polygraphs

    20012004

    Police Positions

    Documentation available upon request

    Qualified for job posting: (Michael Leon past on the opportunity or openings occurred after age limitation)

    • Stafford Township Police Department
    • Barnegat Township Police Department
    • Probation Officer Ocean County Township
    • Corrections Officer (Federal Prison)
    • N.J. Transit Police
    • N.J. State Troopers
    • Maryland National Capital Park Police

    20072008

    United States Army National Guard (Fort Dix)

    Federal Government Documentation available upon request

    Qualified & was offered job duty: (Michael Leon past on the opportunity)

    After testing and interviewing for a E4 ranking in the National Guard, Mr. Michael Leon's high ASVAB testing qualified him for an opportunity to do the following:

    • 9 weeks basic training.
    • 17 weeks AIT training in MOS-25U Communications
         - Aviation, Intelligence or any other field he chooses.
    • 18 months OCS (Officers Training Program - Seagirt - Graduating E6 (2nd Lieutenant):

    Until age limit, recruiters maintained his file & pursued him for this opportunity

    Michael Leon: ASVAB Test Scores:
    Branch Required AFQT Score 31
    Michael Leon AFQT Score 75*

    The AFQT is comprised of your test results in Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Math Knowledge (MK), and Verbal Composite (VE) x 2. Your Verbal Composite score is a combination of your Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension scores. Check out the following AFQT qualifying scores for each branch of service.

    *Service Branch Required AFQT Scores
    Army Required Score of 31
    Navy Required Score of 35
    Marines Required Score of 32
    Air Force Required Score of 36
    Coast Guard Required Score of 36

    Michael Leon AFQT Score 75*
    Breakdown by Category:

    Score 112 - CL - Clerical: VE+AR+MK
    Score 108 - CO - Combat: AR+CS+AS+MC
    Score 111 - EL - Electronics: GS+AR+MK+EI
    Score 109 - FA - Field Artillery: AR+CS+MK+MC
    Score 108 - GM - General Maintenance: GS+AS+MK+EI
    Score 117 - GT - General Technical: VE+AR
    Score 108 - MM - Mechanical Maintenance: NO+AS+MC+EI
    Score 110 - OF - Operators & Food: VE+NO+AS+MC
    Score 110 - SC - Surveillance & Communications: VE+AR+AS=MC
    Score 112 - ST - Skilled Technical: GS+VE+MK+MC

    (Total: All testing scores are averaged = a qualified score of 75)

    *Michael Leon - Qualifications met for every military job and for Officer training.

    The ASVAB Explained:

    The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success. The ASVAB also provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career.

    Your ASVAB Score can be Critical ASVAB test scores are broken down by the individual sub-tests and composites of the sub-tests. One of the most critical of these scores is the Armed Forces Qualification Test, which is used to determine if you are qualified to join the military service. Each service determines the qualification AFQT score for enlisting in their service.