Nicola Vertue
Marketing & Creative Manager
Cape Town,Western Cape
Summary
Talented and results-oriented creative professional with experience leading teams, managing budgets and developing strategies to engage target audiences. Strong project management skills. Possesses excellent eye for detail and nuanced understanding of brand voice and messaging. Proven track record of developing successful and innovative advertising and marketing campaigns that improve brand visibility and increase revenue. Skilled Creative Director adept at overseeing writers, designers and artists to accomplish challenging objectives. Excellent communicator, problem solver and detail-oriented manager proficient in business operations and customer needs. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager help team achieve company goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Creative Director
The Retail Studio
09.2016 - Current
- Delivered exceptional customer service by addressing client concerns promptly and effectively resolving issues.
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered creativity, innovation, and employee engagement.
- Oversaw financial management activities such as budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow monitoring for improved financial stability.
- Guided team members through periods of change by providing clear communication on expectations and objectives moving forward.
- Secured sufficient funds to cover business obligations by tracking expenses and budgeting accurately.
- Defined company roles and responsibilities to establish and enhance processes.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans.
- Designed innovative creative strategies to raise brand awareness and engagement for organization.
- Enhanced brand recognition by developing innovative marketing campaigns and visually compelling designs.
- Formulated and monitored budgets to manage expenses and control costs.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality creative assets on time and within budget constraints.
- Streamlined creative processes for improved efficiency and team productivity.
- Increased client satisfaction by delivering tailored design solutions that exceeded expectations.
- Created creative briefs and timeline to manage creative process from concept to completion.
- Improved internal communication by designing visually engaging presentations and collateral materials.
- Mentored junior designers, fostering professional growth and enhancing overall team capabilities.
- Directed photo shoots for print and digital media, reviewing each element against client standards and expectations.
- Worked with creative teams to develop concept designs for campaigns that resonated with target audiences.
- Developed style guides to promote consistent branding across projects.
- Oversaw implementation of editing, color correction and other post-production processes.
- Monitored progress of projects, keeping on schedule and within budget.
- Created innovative advertising campaigns that successfully generated increased brand awareness and recognition.
- Presented creative concepts to clients and implemented continual feedback to achieve client satisfaction.
- Managed workloads of designers, illustrators and other team members to optimize productivity and timeliness of task completion.
- Wrote creative briefs and coached copywriters to develop compelling content.
- Coordinated with vendors and suppliers to source materials and equipment needed for production.
Founder & Co-Director
The Window Space (PTY) Ltd
02.2013 - 09.2016
- Established a successful business by identifying market needs and developing innovative solutions.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by addressing client concerns promptly and effectively resolving issues.
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered creativity, innovation, and employee engagement.
- Oversaw financial management activities such as budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow monitoring for improved financial stability.
- Led in-house design team through all stages of creative development, maintaining consistent brand identity across various platforms.
- Enhanced brand visibility by developing and executing creative marketing campaigns.
- Led brainstorming sessions for creative concept development, resulting in innovative campaign ideas.
- Oversaw the development of creative collateral including brochures, presentations, videos, and other promotional materials that effectively communicated brand value propositions to target audiences.
- Supported the development of creative briefs and concept presentations for client approval, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.
- Managed creative projects from conception to completion, ensuring high-quality deliverables within deadlines.
- Handled administrative and business management requirements
- Increased team efficiency by implementing innovative project management strategies.
- Collaborated with artists for successful exhibition openings, ensuring smooth logistics and event management.
- Prioritized tasks efficiently in fast-paced settings resulting in successful event management experiences.
- Handled client communications and led meetings, providing clear direction and consistent updates on design progress.
- Streamlined budgeting processes for improved efficiency in financial planning and resource allocation.
- Created compelling visual presentations for clients, resulting in successful pitches and new business opportunities.
- Ensured timely invoicing and payment processing to maintain positive cash flow for the business.
Creative & Conceptual Manager for Markham
The Foschini Retail Group Pty Ltd
04.2010 - 01.2013
- Ensured competitive marketing of the brand through design and photography
- Built brand awareness, sales and market share through advertising, window displays and in-store promotions
- Creative concept development
- Graphic design
- Production and art direction of photographic shoots,
- Project management,
- Event management
- Branding & identity,
- Budget control,
- Presentation skills,
- Strategic thinking,
- Team Management,
- Creative strategy,
- Marketing strategy,
- Brand building
Creative Co-ordinator
The Foschini Retail Group Pty Ltd
01.2006 - 04.2010
Junior Creative Co-ordinator
The Foschini Retail Group Pty Ltd
02.2005 - 01.2006
Graphic Artist
RJL, The Foschini Retail Group Pty LTD
01.2004 - 02.2005
IT Administrator & Design
Fitch Design Consultants, London
01.2000 - 01.2002
Education
Social Media Marketing -
Red & Yellow Creative School of Business
08.2021
Diploma in Marketing Management (post grad) -
University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika
01.2008
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art - Graphic Design, Photography, Illustration, Theory and History of Art, Industrial Psychology
Stellenbosch University
01.1998
Skills
- Creative Direction
- Campaign Management
- Management
- Team Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurial and Innovative
- Client Engagement
- Event Management
- Team Engagement
- Project Management
- Customer Focus
- Financial Administration
- Financial Management
- Industry Expertise
- Talent Acquisition
- Creative team leadership
- Concept Development
- Deadline-oriented
- Brand Messaging
- Campaign Development
- Photography Direction
- Design leadership
- Budget Adherence
- Print Production
- Project Scoping
- Project Coordination
- Client Relations
- Corporate identity branding
- Art Direction Capabilities
- Photoshoot Management
- Account Management
- Pitching and presentation
- Presentation Creation
- Client Presentation Delivery
Companylabel
Company
Linkedinlabel
LinkedIn
Personal Information
Title: Founder & Director at The Retail Studio
Trail running, yoga, painting, energy healing
I am passionate about trail running in the mountains, which enhances my endurance and mental resilience through navigating rugged terrain. Practicing yoga regularly helps me maintain physical flexibility and mental clarity, fostering a balanced approach to life. I also indulge in painting, a creative outlet that allows me to express my artistic side and cultivate patience and attention to detail. Additionally, I practice Reiki energy healing, which deepens my understanding of holistic well-being and strengthens my ability to manage stress and promote positive energy flow to self and others.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Founder & Creative Director
The Retail Studio
09.2016 - Current
Founder & Co-Director
The Window Space (PTY) Ltd
02.2013 - 09.2016
Creative & Conceptual Manager for Markham
The Foschini Retail Group Pty Ltd
04.2010 - 01.2013
Creative Co-ordinator
The Foschini Retail Group Pty Ltd
01.2006 - 04.2010
Junior Creative Co-ordinator
The Foschini Retail Group Pty Ltd
02.2005 - 01.2006
Graphic Artist
RJL, The Foschini Retail Group Pty LTD
01.2004 - 02.2005
IT Administrator & Design
Fitch Design Consultants, London
01.2000 - 01.2002
Social Media Marketing -
Red & Yellow Creative School of Business
Diploma in Marketing Management (post grad) -
University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art - Graphic Design, Photography, Illustration, Theory and History of Art, Industrial Psychology
Stellenbosch University
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