MICHAEL LEDAJAKS 2156 West Cuyler Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60618 312.388.3969 michael@michaelledajaks.

com

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY Dynamic, innovative, and self-directed manager with extensive experience in art direction, business operations, marketing management, online marketing, social m edia, production management, web and logo design. Utilize well-crafted backgroun d in providing creative direction for company production. Excel at organizing, i mproving, and implementing operational systems needed to execute objectives in f ast-paced, creative industries. Exhibit outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving abili ties Display excellent sense of design and talent for conceptualizing creativ e solutions to achieve clients goals Obtain solid knowledge of industry tools used in researching and monitor ing new trends and technologies Exemplify effectiveness in multitasking in a demanding, deadline-driven, and challenging work environment Demonstrate in-depth understanding of sales and marketing techniques, st rategies for building strong client base, and systems to facilitate consistent f ollow-up as well as to foster customer satisfaction Possess ability to work well with people from clients, account teams, wr iters, designers, programmers, and production artists Has a broad experience in coordinating with multiple functions including training and support

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE MICHAEL LEDAJAKS CREATIVE DIRECTION, CHICAGO, IL Creative Director 2009-Present Oversee primary responsibilities, including designing and developing websites. D evelop retail concepts, building a social media platform site. Clients include: DraftFCB, Abbott LabsPPD Ad Agency, CloudCorToronto, C-Level Strategies, Edventure Pr omotions. Ideation for self-promotion within social media environment Serves as senior web designer for Taproot Foundation to art direct and d esign new websites for non-profit organizations Developed, designed, built, and advertised an entertainment and gift e-c ommerce-based business named The Willies Cartoons Serves as senior web designer for Taproot Foundation contributing to the art direction and design of new websites for non-profit organizations Works closely with a prominent local artist to foster strategized market ing plan and proposal for a future major outdoor art exhibit in Chicago Initiated the art festival concept, as well as budget projection and locat ion scouting; preparing collateral and proposal letters; and interfacing with bu siness owners, developers, bankers, and city officials to obtain support and sec ure sponsorship

OMNICOM COMPANY, CORBETT ACCEL HEALTHCARE GROUP (CAHG) Art Supervisor ~ Corbett, Chicago 2007-2009 Art Supervisor ~ Surge, New York 2004-2007 Art Director ~ Corbett, Chicago 2002-2004 Assumed full responsibility in overseeing day-to-day functions, including but no t limited to, researching branding initiatives and marketing strategies as well as participating in meetings concerning future and existing branding campaigns f or sales tools and promotions. Led and supervised the development of branded advertising and sales prom otion tools, including e-details and collateral pieces for a wide range of major international pharmaceutical brands for Fortune 100 companies, such as Alcon, B MS, Merck, Astra-Zeneca, Abbott, and Genentech Coordinated the conceptualization of new branding campaigns, such as tra de advertisements, patient programs, leave-behind kits, and awareness posters Initiated and implemented impactful direct mail campaigns; rendered invo lvement in designing workshops to facilitate better promotion of creative concep tualization and teamwork Efficiently interpreted creative briefs as well as clinical data; and ar t-directed impactful charts and graphs Accepted invitation to move to New York for nearly 3 years to provide as sistance in the establishment of the newly formed East Coast office Played an integral role as ambassador, providing effective support in de veloping and cultivating creative culture in coordination with a team of five Ch icago associates Provided leadership in maintaining design and production staff consistin g of 20 individuals Served as creative change agent on numerous pre-launch and launch campai gns gaining various winning campaigns Acquired opportunities to manage and art-direct photo shoots Collaborated with art buyer in purchasing photography and illustrations, as well as in determining suitable photographers and illustrators IMAGE STUDIO LTD. (CORE3 CREATIVE), CHICAGO Creative Director (Art) 2000-2002 Worked closely with the principal and sales representative to create innovative self-promotion tools, web design, advertising campaigns, direct response materia ls, and various guerilla tactics. Art-directed and managed niche communication for Quaker, Gatorade, ESPN Radio Chicago, Republic of Tea, Elvis Enterprise, and Chefwear Planned marketing strategies and directed the entire production staff Administered several concepts, art direction, client services, and budge ting projects ranging from Fortune 500 companies to growing startups MAX DESIGN AND ADVERTISING, INC., CHICAGO President / Creative Director 1997-2000 Established and operated full-service advertising agency, overseeing day-to-day operations, including but not limited to, creative services, art buying, marketi ng strategies, new business generation, self-promotion, and client service. Designed and developed marketing and advertising campaigns for Fortune 5 00 leasing company Created franchise product launch program for True Value Organized team to facilitate a multimillion-dollar online futures tradin g website

Obtained insight on entrepreneurial challenges and on how to handle clie nt relationships from a more comprehensive perspective GREENHOUSE COMMUNICATIONS, INC., CHICAGO Art Director 1993-1997 Rendered business-to-consumer (B2C) art direction for major healthcare systems s uch as Rush, Advocate, St. Louis University. Received various industry awards for hospital campaigns in several indus tries Led consumer in organizing advertising campaigns and incentive programs for small banks Designed and produced complex business-to-business (B2B) print collatera l packages

EARLIER CAREER Art Art Art Art Director Director Director Director ~ ~ ~ ~ MARKETING SUPPORT, INC., CHICAGO MCCORMACK GROUP, CHICAGO DESIGN DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS, INC., CHICAGO ACCENT COMMUNICATIONS, CHICAGO

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Minor in Art History ~ UNIVERSITY OF ILL INOIS, CHICAGO

ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS Senior Member Member Member Member Web Designer ~ PRO BONO-TAPROOT FOUNDATION ~ AIGA ~ SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB ~ DIGITAL ADVERTISING PROFESSIONALS ~ BEHANCE

TECHNICAL SKILLS Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), and QuarkXPress