Adrienne i Brand
Creative Direction • Photography • Social Media • Copywriting
My Story
Personal Profile
My entire professional world revolves around advertising and the elements that encompass satisfying a client's needs: creative consultation in marketing, graphic design, photography, social media, and copywriting.
One thing I've noticed after over 30 years of being in the business is:
Designers who are loved are not regularly updating their online portfolios.
They're too busy making their clients happy.
Creative Direction
From the beginning days as the business manager in my high school's newspaper, through working at BBDO New York (an award-winning advertising firm in New York City that the 2007 drama Mad Men was based on) to Douglas Elliman Real Estate on Long Island, New York, I've proven myself as the designer that is consistently requested for consultation in both marketing direction and design.
I've gained untold experience from working at printing presses, magazines, and advertising agencies. I typically become the go-to contact for troubleshooting not only tech issues with design, but with department morale as well. I've set up processes and reorganized entire servers to function in the most streamlined manner possible. I've presented and consulted on photo shoots and vendors. Essentially, I am your entire art department.
Graphic Design
Rated in the Top 5% of 332K InDesign Users, LinkedIn 2023 | My first computer was an Amiga 2000. My Italian father still has that sweet puppy in his basement – with the original box and packaging. The Amiga was so basic that both the system disk and program disk had to be inserted before the computer would fully function (of course, but who realized that back then?). The very first version of Illustrator came with that computer – and while I was baffled by how to use it – or how my dot matrix printer could handle it – I was enamored by the power of what it could do.
Photography
I've been involved in photography for over 30 years, have photographed local celebrities and have won contests. But photography is not just about the image, it's about the preparation behind taking the image. What lens are you using? What time of day are you shooting? What location and time of year are you shooting? Are there restrictions or fees associated with the location? Who is your model? Is your model shy? What is your model wearing? How is your model posing? But don't forget organization: How are your files managed? What are your naming conventions? What's your take on image asset management? What is your process for resolution and sizes? If you're hiring a freelance photographer, I would ask them how long they've been shooing, what their equipment is, and what lens they would use if their model had a large nose. Thorough.
Social Media
I would venture to say that most folks don't realize social media started in the days of forums, where people would get together and chat about their favorite subjects. From my days leading a successful photography group through Meetup.com, to leading the efforts for our Long Island region at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, I've positioned myself as the go-to leader in our social media efforts.
Copywriting
If you've made it this far, I applaud you. Nowadays, most folks look for a video – which yes, I'll eventually do (and quite frankly, they rank higher on social media anyway) – but for those of you who are searching for someone who can write, I'm hoping this satisfies what you're looking for. I've won a few contests, and I was editor-in-chief of my college newspaper. But nowadays I love a quick chat with a client as we hash-out the best headline verbiage.
Experience
What I’ve Done
DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE | MARKETING DEPARTMENT
2017 - present
Advertising, collateral, and social media designer and strategist for the Long Island regional corporate office and for demanding
top-producing real estate professionals.
BBDO NEW YORK
eg+ Worldwide
2004 - 2017
BBDO is a worldwide, award-winning advertising agency with clients like M&M’s, AT&T, Bacardi, ExxonMobil, Bank of America, Gillette, Starbucks, Monster.com, Gillette. Outdoor and print design production for global brands and the leader in the grassroots effort to initiate BBDO’s print production department into the world of digital publishing.
Miller Marketing
& Advertising
2002 - 2004
Lead creative at this full-service advertising and marketing agency previously located on Long Island, New York. Design, copywriting, production, and client presentation of all in-house and client marketing materials.
North Castle Partners Advertising
2001 - 2002
The largest full-service advertising agency previously located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Creative and presentation lead for marketing collateral for clients such as the Connecticut rideshare authority, MetroPool; and Zinsser®.
Education
My Schooling
B.A. Communications / Journalism
News Editorial Emphasis, English Concentration
Shippensburg University, PA
1995
Concert Committee Member
Yearbook Editor
Student Activities Committee Member
A.A.S. Communications & Media Arts: Journalism Suffolk Community College, NY
1993
Student Activities’ Student of the Year | 1993
Editor-in-Chief, Compass | 1992-1993
Feature Editor, Compass 1991-1992
Who’s Who of Junior College Students | 1993
Who’s Who of Junior College Students | 1992
Orientation Leader | 1993
Orientation Leader | 1992
Captain: Clippers Softball | 1993
Skills
Knowledge & Expertise
Organization
Master
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Advanced
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take"