Paul Nelson

(917) 238-2695 * pnee1d6e@westpost.net * http://www.cre8iveportfolio.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Creative Direction l Graphic Design l Illustration l Branding l Packaging l Coll
ateral
Interactive Art Direction & Design l Print l Broadcast l Editorial Design l Copy

PROFILE
* Conceptual, strategic problem-solver with the expertise to position and build
brands.
* Ability to develop impactful and effective advertising and design communicatio
ns that connect with clients and consumers.
* Visionary advertising and communications professional with rich agency experie
nce across diverse industries.
* Proven leadership ability in leading a team and mentoring others.
* Highly motivated, passionate about art, communications and design with a solid
work ethic.
* Out-of-the-box thinker.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Creative Director, MuayBadAss(R) > 2008 to present
* Develop creative strategy, direction and all marketing efforts for line of Mix
ed Martial Arts clothing and gear.
* Identify and implement corporate and fighter partnerships/sponsorships for MMA
events.
* Created and designed corporate website at http://www.muaybadass.com
* Maintain/update all interactive components including e-commerce website, email
and banner advertising.
* Design all print, collateral, POP and clothing including t-shirts, hoodies, sh
orts and caps.
Senior Art Director/Designer, W.B. Doner, Newport Beach, CA > 2002 to 2008
Accounts: Mazda U.S.A.
* Created print and broadcast advertising within a small team across multiple pl
atforms for new global brand campaign.
* Concepted and designed award-winning collateral for Mazda cars and trucks.
* Designed web and interactive elements to update corporate site to align with g
lobal brand.
* Selected and hired photographers and illustrators based on ability to re-creat
e the concept and vision of tight comps, following up by art-directing shoots in
studio and on location.
* Oversaw production and printing of national dealership brochures, collateral a
nd POP, including press and color checks.
V.P. Executive Creative Director, AdWorks, Honolulu, HI > 2001 to 2002
Accounts:
* Aston Hotels * AT&T Wireless * Budget Car Rentals * Castle & Cooke Realty * I
sland Insurance * Kahala Mall * Sony * University of Hawaii * Volkswagen Dealers
of Hawaii
o Recruited to new position based on previous creative success.
o Directed all creative efforts for the agency, tailoring national branding to t
he local market, growing market share in a unique demographic.
o Led new business pitches and presentations for the agency, adding new accounts
and billings, establishing it as a creative leader in the region.
o Recruited and hired creative and production staff, including establishing a tr
affic department, resulting in increased productivity and ultimately profits for
 the agency.
o Mentored younger creatives while remaining hands-on in the day to day creation
of advertising, design and interactive materials and managing broadcast product
ion.
o Initiated, conceived and designed the agencies first website.
Senior Art Director, McCann Erickson, Los Angeles, CA > 1999 to 2001
Accounts:
* Allied Signal * Boeing * Carnation * City of Beverly Hills * Friskies * Fleetw
ood Homes * In-N-Out Burger * Nestle * Peninsula Hotel
o Worked perma-lance (every day) for 1 year, followed by a year on staff.
o Created luxury brand advertising for the Peninsula Hotel and the City of Bever
ly Hills.
o Identified Boeing's core capabilities in B to B advertising, targeting Congres
sional appropriations committees for military contracts.
o Concepted and implemented CPG advertising campaigns for Nestle companies.
Creative Director, Nelson, Young & Associates, Los Angeles, CA > 1996 to 1999
Accounts:
* American International * Avanza Cosmetics * Banzai Sporting Goods
* Havas Interactive * Interplay Productions * Pepperdine University
* Time Warner Interactive
o Left previous job to start and run an agency with a partner.
o Collaborated with video game creators at Interplay Productions and Havas Inter
active to develop marketing/advertising campaigns for new video game titles, inc
luding development of game art, packaging, trade show signage and booths, DVD bo
x art, sell sheets, print ads and video, winning numerous trade awards.
o Launched advertising campaigns and developed branding for Avanza Cosmetics and
its subsidiary companies including logo creation, print ads and packaging, resu
lting in numerous new cosmetic and beauty/health products on the market today.
o Partnered with the inventor/developer of a new type of paddle tennis paddle to
brand and implement marketing for the paddle and clothing line, including origi
nal designs for t-shirts and accessories, creating Banzai Sporting Goods, a nich
e brand for the super-aggressive, offensive paddle tennis player. Sales are now
international.
o Targeted potential graduate students with focused advertising for Pepperdine U
niversity's MBA programs, dramatically increasing enrollment in the programs.
Senior Art Director, Saatchi & Saatchi, Torrance, CA > 1988 to 1996
Accounts:
* Bridgestone Tires * Crystal Cruises * Pioneer Electronics * Toyota Motor Sales
, U.S.A. * Toyota Dealer Associations * Yamaha Motorcycles
o Started as a Junior AD, promoted to AD in 9 months, and to Senior AD in 4 year
s.
o Created national broadcast tv, radio, print and outdoor advertising for Toyota
cars and trucks, along established branding guidelines, across multiple platfor
ms.
o Served as a lead designer for Toyota national car and truck brochures, establi
shing the concept and look that all of the books followed.
o Collaborated with Toyota Dealer Associations across the country to create deal
er print and broadcast advertising to be used by all the dealers in a particular
group.
o Hired photographers and directors for print and tv production, art directing t
v and photo shoots, editing and sound sessions.
o Established and monitored budgets for print and collateral projects, working d
irectly with vendors to deliver advertising materials on time and on budget.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Art Director, dgwb * Art Director, The Martin Agency
EDUCATION
BFA, University of Virginia * Ad Center, Los Angeles, CA