WORK EXPERIENCE
VERIZON
Head of Visual Merchandising
New York, NY; May 2022 - Present
Lead creative design, innovation, planning and operations in an effort to transform Verizon's premium brand experience at retail while driving sales across 7,000+ points of sale
Forecast project priorities, scope, budgets and timelines in collaboration with Program Management, Customer Experience, Marketing Strategy and Retail Operations
Provide guidance, inspiration and feedback to designers and cross functional partners through clearly articulated business requirements, performance analysis, market trends and field constraints
Spearhead the development of creative guidelines, standards and education materials to ensure and achieve "best in class" execution
Member of the Retail Design Team leadership group
DEAR DAVID
Creative Director
New York, NY; January 2017 - Present
Provide strategic creative and operational expertise to global brands seeking to develop a compelling and consistent visual strategy
Advise clients on experiential design initiatives to enhance brand identity and voice
Initiate, develop and implement creative design strategies and operational plans to guide brand standards
Clients include Amsale, Anya Hindmarch, Berluti, Clinique, Garnet Hill, Givenchy, Good American, Karaz Linen, Kipling, Mach & Mach, Southern Tide, Thule, U.S. Polo Assn., Warby Parker
WINSTON RETAIL
Head of Creative
New York, NY; May 2018 - February 2020
Collaborated with Business Development, Finance and Account Management to identify and engage potential clients and project partners
Fostered client relationships and business opportunities that resulted in the elevation of the agency as a leader in retail consumer experience
Cultivated robust working relationships across the apparel, accessories, beauty, cannabis, electronics, footwear, home and hospitality industries
Conceived and developed processes, tools and efficiencies to foster an inspired design environment while optimizing capacity and creativity
Oversaw all creative development, brand management and financial planning via a multifaceted leadership position, sustaining physical space design and production, graphic design, web development and social media
Directed the flow of communication between the internal Design and Production teams and external clients and contract service providers
Clients included Beboe, Bogner, Buffalo David Bitton, Casper, Chanel, Citizen, Estee Lauder, Innisfree, Johnson & Johnson, Luxottica, Macy's, Margaritaville, Marriott, New Balance, Nixon, Princess Cruise Line, Renfro, Southern Tide, Weight Watchers, Westfield, Wrangler
COACH
Divisional Vice President
New York, NY; March 2014 - December 2016
Established a new team under the moniker Global Visual Operations & Creative Communications servicing six global business units with annual sales more than $4B
Instituted a project management office responsible for trafficking 1000+ projects annually
Synchronized cross-functional alignment through Architecture, Creative Services, Design, Merchandising and Visual Merchandising
Designed, developed and implemented a Coach Visual Merchandising intranet site and mobile application
Reduced costs significantly through a “digital first” approach to visual communication
Spearheaded a universal digital Visual Merchandising training platform for Store Associates, Field Visual Merchandisers and Multi Managers
Played a key role in a global restructuring taskforce which established a worldwide In-Store Visual Specialist program and shifted Field Visual Merchandiser responsibilities from purely execution to training
Managed a team of graphic designers responsible for innovative and compelling creative communication tools for Coach’s 2,000+ points of sale in 45+ countries
Organized and executed monthly visual merchandising guideline photo shoots for six business channels
Directed the development, execution and maintenance of showrooms in ten countries
Contracted work with external directors, photographers, retouchers and design firms
Oversaw annual operation planning budgets for the Global Environments department
Senior Director
New York, NY; February 2013 - February 2014
Director
New York, NY; August 2009 - January 2013
Developed and communicated global visual objectives, strategies and standards for 45 international distributors in 35 countries across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific and Oceania representing $500M+ in annual sales
Reviewed and approved all visual merchandising print materials sent to distributors and business partners for content and direction accuracy
Worked together with country managers to forecast, interpret and manage internal and market specific projects, opportunities and requests
Managed a team of globally based corporate visual merchandisers and international field visual managers responsible for store openings, seasonal floorsets and retail associate training
Grew team’s core competency skills through weekly conference calls, meetings and in-store / showroom activities
Collaborated with Coach International Architecture and Global Fixture Procurement teams on new store design proposals
Partnered with Creative Development designers and 3D Production managers on permanent and seasonal prop packages
Traveled to key international stores conducting visual merchandising training seminars and participating in new-store openings
Member of the Coach International Operating Group
MISS SIXTY
Director
New York, NY; May 2007 - July 2009
Recruited by corporate leadership to elevate the brands’ presence at retail while streamlining creative processes and execution
Led the development and execution of shop-in-shop and vertical store construction in the United States
Reported directly to the CEO of Sixty USA and partnered with the Italian creative offices to support global objectives and brand strategies
Supervised a team of full-time corporate and freelance visual merchandisers covering retail, outlet and wholesale points of sale
Managed a team of graphic designers who, under my direction, created direct mail, promotional, and visual enhancement materials
Built effective relationships between the retail store teams and domestic corporate office to align support for retail initiatives
Oversaw the creative direction of domestic showrooms from conception to implementation
VF CORPORATION
Director, Global Visual Design
New York, NY; September 2005 - May 2007
Created first-ever comprehensive brand standards manual which was distributed to 40 global licensing partners for use in over 170 Nautica branded retail stores representing $400M+ in annual sales
Guided the design, development and execution of shop-in-shops and vertical stores for Nautica Worldwide and Kipling North America
Collaborated with the Brand Marketing and Public Relations teams to support the design, development and execution of tradeshow and special event environments
Reported to the Executive Creative Director and managed a full-time staff of visual directors, managers, coordinators and graphic designers
NAUTICA
Visual Director
New York, NY; July 2002 - September 2005
Developed and communicated brand guidelines, in-store visuals, point-of-sale signage and direct to consumer mailers
Worked together with brand managers and graphic designers to develop creative solutions that communicated Nautica’s brand position in a manner that was consistent with the marketing communication strategy
Participated in the design and implementation of the merchandising strategy through published guidelines, on-site training, store visits, and internal corporate communications
URBAN OUTFITTERS, INC.
District Visual Merchandiser
New York, NY; June 1998 - July 2002
Created placement plans and visual display strategies for 8 stores in the Northeast district
Organized and executed site visits and meetings to monitor store performance
Managed financial performance based on store history and current sales
Recruited and supervised 25 visual merchandisers and display artists
Store Merchandiser
New York, NY; November 1996 - June 1998
Assistant Store Merchandiser
Boston, MA; October 1994 - November 1996
Managed visual display and fixture budgets for high volume, flagship location
Supervised placement of all apparel and hard goods received
Communicated corporate direction and newest merchandising systems to management team through weekly meetings and training seminars
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Best New Tradeshow Booth, MAGIC Accessories Show 2006
Best Visual Merchandising Activities, Sixty S.p.A. 2008
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, Macintosh Applications, Microsoft Office Suite, SketchUp
EDUCATION
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA; Photography
Harvard Extension School, Cambridge, MA; Art History
VOLUNTEER
Vote NYC, Board of Elections – City of New York
One Northside Piers, Art Committee Resident Member, Brooklyn, NY