PENDLETONE / OWNER / 01.2008 – PRESENT

Pendletone is a group of creatives who solve problems for national brands like a wholesale food distributor in Texas to a home construction material supplier in Illinois and Georgia. We also donate our skills to local organizations like the Wauwatosa Historical Society and other non-profits.

BADER RUTTER / SENIOR DESIGNER / 07.2019 – PRESENT

Overseeing design projects, from conception to delivery for international brands Pioneer and Zoetis. eviewing junior designers’ work to ensure high quality Executing marketing projects from conception to production, including websites, brochures and product packaging.

Ultimately, you will ensure the design team promotes our brand through delivering high quality pieces on tight deadlines.

ZURN / CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER / 03.16 – 05.18

At Zurn, I managed all aspects of creative output - from concept to production - for the organization. I developed conceptual direction and subsequent collateral output for all product launches, advertising campaigns and new product categories, whether it be print ads, product brochures, user interface design, video, customer stories, trade shows, landing pages or social media posts. I upgraded the company’s assets by directing photo and video shoots, often shooting the photos myself.

After defining and creating new visual brand standards for the company, I directed and managed the work of a team of designers and a copywriter to ensure all material was consistent with our brand messaging both visually and in tone. Our customers are complex, I helped impart a change of philosophy from talking about the company, to talking about our customers and how we can help them, by looking at industry trends and using the voice of the customer.

I also implemented many process improvements that helped our marketing department, who are spread across 4 different locations in different states, communicate more effectively. I launched use of box.com as a cloud server for our team, allowing us to easily collaborate on and share our files. I introduced Slack to the team as a way of keeping in constant communication with each other in a fun way, increasing morale and collaboration. Lastly, after an exhaustive search, I set up and launched use of Basecamp as a way of organizing all incoming projects.

While saving resources by bringing all creative and production work in-house, I also worked hard to build new vendor relationships that not only delivered elevated assets, but also saved the company resources. Some of these include; printers, photographers and videographers and a CGI firm for better product photography. 

ROCKETLAWNCHAIR / SENIOR ART DIRECTOR / 09.13 – 09.15

Brought on board as the company was transitioning ownership, I was a crucial part of the rebranding team for the agency. From there, I was instrumental in implementing the vision of the new company internally, in new business pitches and multiple pieces of collateral. In addition to providing concept direction for national and local clients, I launched a startup brand, creating everything from the name of the product to its tone and identity.

Clients: GE Healthcare, ‘SnotTape, Master Lock, HED, Trico

JOHNSON DIRECT / SENIOR ART DIRECTOR / 02.12 – 09.13

Acting as the agency’s sole art director I was instrumental in bringing all of the creative work in-house, saving the company money while simultaneously increasing the quality of the creative. I spearheaded a badly needed rebrand of the agency from the ground up, worked closely with a front-end developer on interactive projects and recommended new efficiencies such as box.com and Basecamp for better office organization.

Clients: WEA, Brady, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Restaurant.com, Delta Dental, Associated Bank, ProAssurance

Z2 MARKETING / ART DIRECTOR / 05.10 – 02.12

Served as a lead creative for multiple national and international accounts. With knowledge gained throughout my career, I served as a mentor to staff designers and worked closely with account service, forming a strong bond with copywriters to create an integrated creative team. I consistently led client presentations of campaign concepts to win new business, get client buy-in for our work and secure approval for new campaigns. Utilizing evolving technologies,
I was active in executing social media campaigns and interactive events/parties.

Clients: Amway, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Rogers Corporation, Milwaukee Wave, Woodway

NORMAN DESIGN / ART DIRECTOR / 03.05 – 05.10

As art director on prominent international brands like Miller Brewing (creating the now widely used “Great Beer, Great Responsibility” logo), Mitsubishi, Caterpillar, and IBM, as well as small regional startups, I began to practice more inclusive disciplines like copy writing and account service. From start to finish, I developed creative concepts that would effectively and clearly engage the audience and communicate strategic client messaging for their target audience. I was responsible for leading client presentations, driving vendor fulfillment and authorizing final pieces on press checks. My strong creative concepting, and clear client communication skills helped me develop into a leadership position.

Clients: MillerCoors, Mitsubishi, Caterpillar, IBM

BVK / GRAPHIC DESIGNER / 03.03 – 03.05

Working with The Mark Travel Corporation, managed production of all newspaper ad placements for Funjet Vacations, while aiding in production of a variety of print collateral.