Kristin Cruser
PRINT AND MULTIMEDIA DESIGN
Lexington, KY
CREATIVE/COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - Print, Online,
Mobile, Multimedia
I'm a creative, enthusiastic designer comfortable in print, web,
and multimedia environments. Nothing pleases me more than
lobbing ideas back and forth with a group of smart, imaginative
people - except, perhaps, implementing those ideas and
making clients happy.
Full description: Multifaceted and energetic professional with a
dynamic range of creative and design expertise encompassing
print and electronic medias, including copy, content, and
graphic development. Proactive leader; skillfully builds crossfunctional teams. Focused on producing quality marketing and
communication materials. Accomplished negotiator and vendor
manager.
~ Areas of Emphasis ~ • Award-Winning Graphic Design •
Copywriting and Content Development • Email Marketing
Concepts • Branding & Standardization
• Photoshop Guru • Web Design & Development • Multimedia
Integration • Agency, Corporate, Higher Education and
Healthcare Marketing Experience • Cross-functional Team
Builder
Experience
kscrus2@uky.edu
859.797.6208 mobile
859.257.1384 office
Communications Manager
University of Kentucky
Direct and coordinate multi-person teams to develop print,
online and multimedia projects to support and promote private
donations.
Conceptualize, plan, design and produce marketing collateral
to target present and prospective donors. Gather and
coordinate information from all organizational entities and
develop story lists / editorial calendars to support marketing
and financial goals. Develop and present campaigns to secure
administrators’ approval. Define and manage project deadlines
/ workflows. Lead vendor negotiations. Write and edit
informational pieces and ensure compelling design aligned with
branding standards. Collaborate with Public Relations team on
key campaign requirements and participate in theme
development. Gather, analyze, monitor and report on metrics.
Operate design and production equipment and train / coach
team members; serve as communications resource.
Selected Achievements:
w Crafted effective, revenue-generating collateral materials,
advertisements, multimedia content, videos, Flash
presentations and Web sites supporting major capital
campaigns and univeristy initiatives.
w Developed highly effective marketing strategies utilizing
email and other technology tools to maximize impact.
w Produced award-winning projects in multiple categories,
earning multiple CASE awards
w Trained other associates on software and technology
advances; presented to administration regarding the use of
web, email, and social media as development tools.
Lexington, Kentucky
Jun 2003 - Present
Internet Content/Marketing Manager
First Tennessee Bank, Inc.
Managed print and Internet-based marketing functions
targeting financial / banking services.
Conceptualized, wrote, designed, and produced marketing,
informational and educational tools to promote products and
services; researched and developed content for two
organizational Web sites. Teamed with corporate marketing
group to create standardized design and corollary content.
Established deadlines and managed team and creatives to
meet goals and deadlines. Managed vendor relationships and
negotiated pricing, sponsorships and placements. Designed
and coded Web pages with attention to streamlined load times;
maintained multilevel communication to ensure accuracy and
currency of information.
Selected Achievements:
w Planned and directed project to transition from productbased to educational / informational presence in organization’s
Web site in order to improve interactivity and build online
relationships with current and potential customers.
w Developed and deployed new direct email marketing
strategy resulting in personalized contact targeting specific
customer needs and building stronger customer relationships.
Memphis, TN
Aug 2001 - Nov 2002
Communications Specialist/Chief Web Officer
UT Medical Group, Inc.
Memphis, TN
Jul 1998 - Aug 2001
Leveraged skills, knowledge, and talent to manage creation
and distribution of clear, accurate content relevant to medical
institution.
Developed and managed all aspects of two public health
informational and two private extranet Web sites. Administered
$50,000+ budgets and coordinated with 22 departments
comprising 400+ physicians. Conceptualized, planned and
managed marketing campaigns for traditional and electronic
venues; produced and edited content for all marketing
materials and communication tools. Supervised and trained 5
team members and managed tasks to ensure deadline
compliance. Negotiated pricing and made media buys.
Selected Achievements:
w Adeptly communicated and coordinated with physicians and
departments to achieve and maintain accurate, current
information within all materials, both print and electronic.
w Developed system to organize job traffic flow utilizing
Filemaker Pro; maintained Mac computer equipment on a PCbased campus
Senior Graphic Designer
Philips Consumer Electronics/KID
Development
Worked with creative team and vendors to develop and
execute creative concepts and corporate identity; wrote and/or
edited promotional and technical copy; directed photography
and production of projects in print, web, and multimedia; trained
other designers; proofread all jobs for grammar, punctuation,
and adherence to corporate guidelines.
Developed concept, layout, and production of print advertising,
direct mail, and promotional materials for internal and external
clients, including copywriting, proofreading, and editing;
developed department style guide; produced web graphics;
directed photography; account coordination of internal and
external clients; developed instructional manuals and training
materials for products and product servicers.
Strawberry Plains, TN
Oct 1992 - Jul 1998
Education
MFA
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Sep 2008 - Present
Working toward Master's in Digital Media.
BFA - Graphic Design, English minor
University of Tennessee
Studied abroad in Great Britain summer of 1991, observing at
Pentagram, Michael Peters, The Partners, and other agencies.
Professional Development
Knoxville, TN
Sep 1988 - May 1992
Activities
Classes
Photoshop, Web Development, Proofreading, Promotional
Writing, E-mail Marketing, Social Media
Professional Activities
Consultant, Design & Multimedia Education: Create and
conduct multimedia workshops for education professionals and
students, 2004 - 2008
Associations
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
National Association of Photoshop Professionals
American Advertising Federation
Recent Awards
ADDY award - Silver
Lexington Ad Club
February 2012|University of Kentucky
ADDY award - Bronze
Lexington Ad Club
February 2012|University of Kentucky
CASE District III - Special Merit Award for Design
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
CASE District III - Special Merit Award for Design
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
CASE Kentucky - Grand Champion
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
Newsletter
CASE Kentucky - Grand Champion
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
Series of advertisements
CASE Kentucky - Grand Champion
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
Giving society brochure
CASE Kentucky - Grand Champion
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
Brochure Design
CASE Kentucky - Award of Excellence
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
January 2012|University of Kentucky
Advertisement
Technical Proficiencies
Programs and Languages
Environments: Windows, Mac
Tools: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver,
Flash, Fireworks, Millennium Database Software, FileMaker
Pro, Director, Roxio, SharePoint, Premiere, multiple shareware
applications
Languages: CSS, JavaScript, HTML 5, Joomla, Drupal 7,
Actionscript
Kristin Cruser
kscrus2@uky.edu
859.797.6208 mobile
859.257.1384 office