530.859.5454
Branding Fanatic // Marketing Maestro // Design Dynamo
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nallenmedia@gmail.com
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www.nikolasallen.com
Nikolas Allen is a creative firecracker. He brings vision and a mind-blowing
Real-World Exploits
array of creative ideas to any project. He is the person to call when you are
tired of the same old design “solutions” and you want strategic design with
passion and power.
—BARB PRINDLE, Owner, Snap Communications
Art Director_2013 > Present
Wholesale Solar, Mt. Shasta, CA
Design advertising materials, logos and graphics for print and web
Create targeted email marketing campaigns that educate, inform and drive sales
Build and maintain web pages for highly-trafficked site
Produce short-form videos that educate and inform target audience
Photograph products, company culture and staff events
Write copy for ads, email newsletters, page content and press releases
Craft content for, and maintain, social media platforms
Data Implants
Independent Creative Contractor_2000 > 2013
Jefferson Economic Development Inst.
BAM! Small Biz Consulting, Mt. Shasta, CA // 2009– 2013
(This was my own marketing consulting business)
Helped companies build heavyweight brands through creative branding and marketing strategies
including web design, email marketing, SMS marketing, PR services and advertising design
Mt. Shasta, CA // 2009
Completed ongoing business education workshops:
"Online Marketing Bootcamp" 6-week Program
"Level-Up Your Marketing" Workshop
"Getting Ink & Airtime" Workshop
Published art-marketing book aimed at ambitious creatives in summer 2013
Published small biz marketing book featuring lessons & case studies from BAM! in fall 2014
University of St. Thomas
Celarity, Minneapolis, MN // 2001 – 2008
(This is a freelance agency that represented me for seven years)
Provided art direction, graphic design, and production services to a variety of
clients and businesses of all sizes. From concept to completion in most mediums
Minneapolis, MN // 2007
Completed FastTrac Entrepreneur Program
Phase II Interactive, Minneapolis, MN // 2003 – 2005
Conceptual development, art direction, and web design for small to medium size businesses
Minneapolis, MN // 2004– 2006
Completed classes in:
Studio Production
Advanced Non-Linear Editing
Streaming Web Video
Digital_Renegade, Minneapolis, MN // 2000 – 2007
(This was my own start-up video production company)
Wrote, Directed, Shot, and Edited DV short films and music videos for indie artists
Provided music production, advertising design, and media planning
> Freelance Clients Have Included: Mall Of America, Target, Marshall Field's, Hormel,
Prudential, Allianz, Walman Optical, Peterson Milla Hooks, JT Mega Advertising, Becker Furniture
World, Electric Fetus Records, Dairy Queen, Theatre De La Jeune Lune, and more.
Art Director_1997 > 2000
The Musicland Group, Inc., Minnetonka, MN
Designed and created print advertising, instore signage, and billboards
for Sam Goody, Media Play, Suncoast and On Cue stores
Conceived and implemented solid branding strategies
Presented concepts to committees
Hired talent, scheduled and directed photo shoots
Juggled many projects and met deadlines
Delegated work to production staff
Wrote and art directed national Sam Goody :30 Television Commercial
Trendspotter: Wrote newsletters detailing cultural climate and made predictions
as to what artists and products Musicland should be investing in and/or selling
Graphic Designer_1994 > 1997
City Press, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Partner and I started small printing and design company from scratch
Responsible for corporate identity, graphic design, copywriting, advertising and
marketing concepts for our shop as well as design, illustration, and production
of printed materials for all of our clients
213 E. Lake Street
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Mt. Shasta, California 96067 USA
Minneapolis Television Network
IFP/MSP (Film Education Center)
Minneapolis, MN // 2001 – 2003
Completed classes in:
Cinematography
Non-Linear Editing
Lighting Principles
The Art Of Music Videos
National Education Center,
Brown Institute
Minneapolis, MN // 1990 – 1992
Earned Associate Degree of Applied Science
in Advertising Design
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, MN // 1987 – 1989
Courses Studied:
Design Principles
Illustration
Photography
Music Theory
Southwest High School
Minneapolis, MN
Earned high school diploma