Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Jeremy Espersen

Oak Park,IL
Jeremy Espersen

Summary

Creative Brand Leader with 17 years of experience in developing effective strategies and building teams. My skills in omnichannel integration, storytelling, and brand positioning have improved brand visibility and engagement. I foster collaboration and innovation to create impactful solutions. My goals include leading projects to boost brand visibility across platforms.

Overview

17
years of professional experience

Work History

Smoking Umbrella

Founder + Creative Director
03.2024 - Current

Job overview

Clients include: Red Kap, Public Rec, Wildhawk, and non-profit organizations.

  • Elevating brands through innovative and tailored creative and brand consulting services
  • We focus on team development, creative strategies, and comprehensive creative operational services to unlock your brand's full potential, regardless of size or stage

Public Rec

Creative Director
10.2024 - 02.2025

Job overview

  • I lead the creative and brand teams and all initiatives across various channels
  • This includes redesigning product architecture to enhance consumer navigation and laying the groundwork for future innovations
  • After identifying our consumer profile, I am driving a project focused on brand positioning that aims to infuse life and meaning into the brand, transforming it from ordinary to captivating and impactful

Uni Brands Corporation

Creative Director, Brand
11.2021 - 02.2024

Job overview

  • I established a creative team focused on agility and innovation, resulting in a 4,200% increase in brand impressions
  • I directed brand voice and visuals across ten platforms for B2B and B2C markets, collaborating with organizations such as Secret Walls and TED
  • Implementing project management systems, I improved workflow efficiency by 40% and increased social media followers by 390%, while e-commerce campaigns enhanced conversion rates by 45%

The RoomPlace

Creative Director
06.2021 - 11.2021

Job overview

  • Managed the internal creative team, external agencies, and freelancers to implement a 3D furniture modeling system, enhancing agile asset creation
  • I defined the brand's creative direction, launched its inaugural consumer catalog, and collaborated across functions to set key performance indicators (KPIs)

Duluth Trading Company

Creative Director
09.2020 - 05.2021

Job overview

  • Developed strategic omnichannel campaigns that resulted in a 13.5% increase in overall company revenue
  • I oversaw all content creation, managing over 250 projects each year, and implemented process improvements that boosted efficiency by 25%
  • Furthermore, I led a diverse creative team of over 30 members, ensuring resources were effectively utilized and fostering innovative work processes

Duluth Trading Company

Sr. Managing Art Director, Digital
09.2017 - 09.2020

Job overview

  • Increased revenue streams from all digital channels by an average of 30% through strategic direction and management
  • I led the digital creative team, overseeing email, web, social, and video assets while promoting collaboration between business and marketing leaders and external partners to ensure cohesive and impactful campaigns

Weyco Group, Inc.

Sr. Graphic Designer
03.2008 - 09.2017

Job overview

  • Progressed through various positions in the creative department, starting as a Graphic Designer and moving up to Senior Graphic Designer
  • Led all creative choices for catalogs, packaging, and marketing materials while leading all art direction for lifestyle and product photography
  • Created omnichannel assets, such as catalogs, packaging, and web graphics, while upholding brand standards for global visual consistency
  • I led the partnership between Florsheim and the Duckie Brown fashion house, delivering visually striking and brand-aligned creative solutions

Education

Judson University
Elgin, IL

Visual Communication

University Overview

Skills

  • Strategic, creative thinking
  • Brand strategy development
  • Omnichannel campaign management
  • UI/UX design
  • Video direction
  • Photography direction
  • Team leadership
  • Budget oversight skills
  • Content strategy
  • Email marketing expertise
  • Digital asset management expertise
  • Project management expertise
  • Creative positioning
  • Design background
  • Creative team leadership
  • Design leadership
  • Art direction
  • Visual storytelling
  • Content strategy
  • Marketing leadership
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
  • Figma
  • Microsoft Office
  • G Suite proficiency
  • Shopify
  • Sprout Social

Timeline

Creative Director
Public Rec
10.2024 - 02.2025
Founder + Creative Director
Smoking Umbrella
03.2024 - Current
Creative Director, Brand
Uni Brands Corporation
11.2021 - 02.2024
Creative Director
The RoomPlace
06.2021 - 11.2021
Creative Director
Duluth Trading Company
09.2020 - 05.2021
Sr. Managing Art Director, Digital
Duluth Trading Company
09.2017 - 09.2020
Sr. Graphic Designer
Weyco Group, Inc.
03.2008 - 09.2017
Judson University
Visual Communication
Jeremy Espersen