KATY WALKER / GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR / ART DIRECTOR

About

 

EXPERIENCE :

November 2023 - Current / Interim Executive Creative Director / OBP Agency St. Louis, MO

  • Head up a high-performing creative department to peak levels of productivity

  • Strong emphasis on ensuring content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust across a broad range of channels

  • Ability to handle multiple projects and work quickly without sacrificing quality in a deadline-driven environment

  • Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, positive,
    highly collaborative, and an innovative thinker

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Computer proficiency; solid knowledge of design programs including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere
    and After Effects

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

January 2021 - Current / Group Creative Director / OBP Agency St. Louis, MO

  • Help lead a high-performing creative department to peak levels of productivity

  • Strong emphasis on ensuring content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust across a broad range of channels

  • Ability to handle multiple projects and work quickly without sacrificing quality in a deadline-driven environment

  • Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, positive,
    highly collaborative, and an innovative thinker

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Computer proficiency; solid knowledge of design programs including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere
    and After Effects

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

January 2020 - January 2021 / Creative Director / Reach One Dallas, TX

  • Help lead a high-performing creative department to peak levels of productivity

  • Strong emphasis on ensuring content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust across a broad range of channels

  • Ability to handle multiple projects and work quickly without sacrificing quality in a deadline-driven environment

  • Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, positive,
    highly collaborative, and an innovative thinker

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Computer proficiency; solid knowledge of design programs including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere
    and After Effects

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

September 2020 - January 2021 / Creative Director / Cheil Dallas, TX

  • Lead a high-performing creative department to peak levels of productivity

  • Strong emphasis on ensuring content is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust across a broad range of channels

  • Ability to handle multiple projects and work quickly without sacrificing quality in a deadline-driven environment

  • Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, positive,
    highly collaborative, and an innovative thinker

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Computer proficiency; solid knowledge of design programs including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere
    and After Effects

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

October 2019 - April 2020 / Creative Director / Firehouse Dallas, TX

  • Conceptualizing, developing and leading traditional and digital campaigns

  • Collaborate to understand business objectives and create elegant, user-friendly results

  • Monitor and promote emerging trends in interactive technologies, content, design and marketing tactics

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Worked on the new business team pitching business for
    the agency

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

April 2017 -  September 2019 / Associate Creative Director / Sapient Razorfish Chicago, IL

  • Conceptualizing, developing and leading award-winning digital work

  • Collaborate to understand business objectives and create elegant, user-friendly results

  • Monitor and promote emerging trends in interactive technologies, content, design and marketing tactics

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

July 2014 -  October 2017 / Associate Creative Director / Ogilvy & Mather Chicago, IL

  • Conceptualizing, developing and leading award-winning digital work

  • Collaborate to understand business objectives and create elegant, user-friendly results

  • Monitor and promote emerging trends in interactive technologies, content, design and marketing tactics

  • Relationship building. Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners

  • Mentor to the agency creatives

January 2015 - 2016 / Chicago Portfolio School Instructor

  • Taught and guided young students in design and conceptual advertising campaigns

July 2013 - 2014 / Freelance / Havas / Digitas / Momentum Worldwide / Walton Isaacson

  • Manages many internal details of assigned projects, including finding and/or choosing vendors, working and coordinating with Production and Account staff

  • Plans and directs many aspects of assigned projects, and serves as an integral member of the Creative team

  • Follows creative direction of senior creative staff to create 360 campaigns

February 2006 -  2013 / Senior Art Director / Leo Burnett Chicago, IL

  • Assist in the selection of photographers/illustrators and work with the team to create campaigns

  • Work with strategic planning and account teams across the network to develop and execute campaign strategy

  • Establish creative standards for each brand

  • Manages projects from pre through to post production, finished art and delivery working with producer and project manager

  • Work across agency teams (Account, PM, Strategy, Development) to produce top-notch, cross-disciplinary multi-channel work

  • Assist Creative Director and Program Manager in identifying and onboarding new agencies and studios and continually assess the performance of existent ones

Summer 2005 / Intern / DDB Chicago, IL

  • Worked on Bud Light learning and producing television, digital and print

AWARDS + PRESS :

Cannes Shortlist / Ad Age / Communication Arts Magazine / Print Magazine / Chicago ADDY / Screen Magazine / National Agriculture Marketing Awards

EDUCATION :

Aug 2003 - May 2005/ VCU Brandcenter / Masters in Communications / Art Direction

Aug 2000 - May 2003/ Art Institute of Atlanta / Bachelor of Fine Arts / Graphic Design

CONTACT
katharineww@gmail.com   /   945.289.7077