Howard Breitrose

Strategic and creative marketing executive with over a decade of experience leading global brand growth, creative innovation, and revenue-generating campaigns across B2B, B2C, SaaS, retail, and digital media industries. Known for building and scaling high-performing marketing and creative teams, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, and consistently driving double-digit revenue growth. Expert in AI-powered marketing, omnichannel strategies, and data-driven storytelling that amplifies brand differentiation and customer engagement.

A collaborative leader who thrives at the intersection of creativity, technology, and strategy, that deliver impactful business outcomes.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Howard Breitrose Studio – Geneva, Illinois | 08/2023 – Present

• Led integrated global digital campaigns (paid social, programmatic, email, SEO/SEM) that increased brand visibility and engagement up to 25% across key markets.
• Negotiated high-value partnerships with media platforms and MarTech vendors, delivering 15-23% cost savings.
• Managed always-on digital advertising initiatives that drove double-digit website traffic and increased conversion and revenue.
• Oversaw digital-first creative for print extensions for major publications, ensuring 100% message consistency across all touchpoints.
• Produced cross-channel radio creative to support acquisition campaigns reaching 1M+ listeners in targeted regions.
• Applied analytics and performance dashboards to optimize campaigns, resulting in 12-18% lower CPA and higher engagements.
• Provided creative, photography, and content strategy consulting, strengthening thought leadership and audience connection.

VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Convergence Nonprofit Veteran Mental Health 501(c)(3) – Newport, Washington | 08/2023 – Present

• Lead a marketing campaign that boosts donor engagement by 30%.
• Launch a branding strategy that improves visibility and credibility.
• Design and launch a new website, increasing traffic by 50%.
• Direct rebranding efforts across email, video, social media, and web.
• Develop and run marketing campaigns with major brands, improving ROI and engagement.
• Manage Creative Studio operations, building the team with international talent.
• Lead a nationwide Walk-a-Thon campaign, mobilizing 2.5M+ veterans and communities for mental health awareness.

VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE & COMMUNICATIONS

Connect Group Media, Inc – Los Angeles, California | 11/2022 - 08/2023

• Led and supervised a 17-member team, collaborating with executives to set revenue goals.
• Guided the team in creative direction, project management, marketing, and identifying growth opportunities.
• Implemented best practices for billing, client tracking, and reporting to improve client relationships.
• Fostered collaboration with internal and external teams to ensure timely project deliveries.
• Served as Executive Creative Director for the 2023 PRSA Prism Award-winning X Team Magazine.
• Managed agency operations, including P&L and talent.
• Transformed the Creative Studio, improving project delivery by 25%, optimizing expenses, and enhancing client relations through consistent communication.

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OPERATIONS & STUDIO

Tag Worldwide – New York, New York | 10/2021 - 08/2022

• Directed a 20-member team, overseeing operations and ensuring profitability.
• Guided Project and Account Managers to create efficient workflows and provide creative direction.
• Built cross-functional partnerships to achieve key operational goals.
• Led negotiations and drove the growth and execution of applications.
• Reduced production timelines by 7 days, achieving a 90% on-time delivery rate.
• Identified invoicing issues, increasing profitability by 20%.
• Managed Creative Studio operations globally, ensuring consistency across teams.
• Addressed invoicing discrepancies, resulting in a 20% profitability boost.

SENIOR LEAD CIO DIGITAL EXPERIENCE STUDIO CONTRACT

Accenture – Chicago, Illinois | 06/2021 - 09/2021

• Led a 16-member team, guiding them through design thinking and coaching designers.
• Implemented the "Problem Space" approach with the Studio Director for enterprise-level solutions.
• Planned and facilitated design activities and workshops to drive problem-solving.
• Developed solutions to streamline client and acquisition onboarding, ensuring efficient integration.
• Created strategies and frameworks for smooth onboarding and effective collaboration with clients and new acquisitions.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR/OWNER The State of Creative Solutions – Chicago, Illinois | 08/2013 - 10/2021

• Connected communication agencies with manufacturers and private companies through content creation services (mobile, web, and social).
• Managed creative studio operations and workflows.
• Conducted client research and developed creative strategies, briefs, and presentation decks.
• Developed solutions through sales, operational improvements, and strategic partnerships.
• Created business plans for direct mail, e-commerce, media, and omnichannel marketing. Managed projects from start to finish.
• Led creative strategies and provided consultation on pitching, ideation, staffing, and management.

Director of Agency Operations | 10/2012 - 06/2013

Big Red Rooster (Marketing by Design Boston) – Boston, Massachusetts

• Led creative direction, client onboarding, and business development, managing a team of creative directors, project managers, copywriters, and designers.
• Managed client service metrics, addressing feedback, service issues, and campaign performance.
• Oversaw the agency’s budget and supervised 40 direct reports.
• Improved workflow processes and integrated technology for better product placement.
• Reduced Home Depot’s private label packaging production cycle by 25 days and cut rush service from 78% to 3%, saving $0.5 million in overtime costs.
• Managed Creative Studio operations, ensuring smooth collaboration and quality across domestic and international teams.

REGIONAL MANAGER | 10/2003 - 06/2012

RR DONNELLEY–OMEGA STUDIOS - USA

• Managed a creative and photo studio across 4 business units with a $3 million budget.
• Supervised 53 team members, growing the business from $250,000 to a $3 million budget.
• Directed projects in apps, web development, direct mail, printing, software, photo/video, mobile apps, and digital solutions.
• Led multi-channel marketing, e-tailing, branding, SEO, and CRM campaigns.
• Focused on successful web-based marketing and omnichannel strategies for e-tailing.
• Boosted studio billing revenue by securing new business from both new and existing clients.
• Managed Creative Studio operations worldwide, improving collaboration and cultural responsiveness.

• Rochester Institute of Technology – Rochester, New York
• Financial Analysis for Non-Financial Managers, University of Wisconsin at Madison
• Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Chicago Deming Six Sigma Association