Michelle Ducayet | 470.693. 3236 |

Significant and progressive experience in both agencies and in-house settings focusing within the automotive, healthcare, financial B2B and B2C industries. Demonstrated ability to work with senior leadership to develop, articulate and execute a clear, long-term vision while energizing and developing teams. Adept at uncovering new approaches, challenging existing solutions and connecting opportunities to current needs.

  • BRANDED EXPERIENCES | Evolved the Manheim and NextGear brand across automotive remarketing and financial business, including updated logo and colors, photography, video, tone of voice, custom typeface, icons and other brand elements. Guided business units and agencies in its application across various channels. Brand awareness increased for both by 33%.

  • DESIGN SYSTEMS | Interpreted research, value propositions and brand strategies into actionable design systems including visual merchandising, packaging, exhibition and a product design language. These systems have created visual continuity throughout numerous channels with numerous players involved reducing friction and saving time.

  • USER EXPERIENCES | Directed use of branding within user experiences, including interactive client and employee experience, 2 block LED experience arc, and 72 retail storefront.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Sphera | Sr Director, Creative Studio | September 2023 - Present

Leading the company through a re-brand and website overhaul.

Miami Ad School | Adjunct Teacher | June 2022 - present

  • Teaching 5 courses focused on design, art direction, copywriting, and digital/interactive media.

  • Prepare syllabi, curricula, reading materials, tests, and quizzes.

  • Keep thorough records of over 100 students’ scores and attendance.

  • Conduct critiques and give detailed feedback.

Art Institute of Atlanta | Adjunct Teacher | June 2022 - October 2023

  • Taught 5 courses focused on foundation art courses from Adobe Indesign-Photoshop, Figma, and interactive animations.

  • Prepare syllabi, curricula, reading materials, tests, and quizzes.

  • Keep thorough records of over 100 students’ scores and attendance.

  • Participated in new circular development for a web 2 year associate program.

  • Conduct critiques and give detailed feedback.

Cox Enterprise | Sr Director, Creative Studio | January 2019 - June 2022

Responsible for providing creative and strategic direction for Cox Enterprise’s (the parent company of Cox Automotive, Cox Communication, and Cox Cleantech) brand marketing, new venture, and internal communication needs to achieve business goals. Charged with building and developing a team to support the current workload of existing covered business lines while developing relationships and seeking new opportunities within unsupported business lines. An inspirational leader who motivates the team to create innovative, best-in-class work, establishes and disseminates project management best practices, and drives cross-functional collaboration, resulting in award-winning brands. Strategically collaborate with internal (c-suite & executive leadership) and external partners on business objectives to ensure creative initiatives align and support strategic business plans.

Accomplishments

  • Lead a team of 16 responsible for the visual strategic development, execution, and coordination of a campus redesign with multiple touch points: marketing communication, social media, immersive space design, video, and digital touch points. Partnering with the CEO, CPO, and three divisional presidents to gain alignment on the overall plan and budget.

  • Championed the comprehensive rebrand of Atlanta ESports Venture with team 10, which owns and operates the Atlanta Reign, a team in the Overwatch League.

  • Led the establishment of the Cleantech Division, which is pioneering new technology and innovative solutions to build a sustainable world comprised of 6 businesses. Worked with brand lead and a team of 8 to create the brand platform inclusive of the brand mission, areas of focus, and unique differentiators.

  • Implemented new project management tools and technology solutions, gaining alignment for headcount increase and creative development processes, successfully handling a 125% increase in project load.

Cox Automotive | Sr Director, Creative Studio | Aug 2013 - January 2019

Lead a 15+ team supporting 7 powerhouse brands under Cox Automotive (Manheim, Autotrader, KBB, Ready Logistics, Central Dispatch, RMS and Cox Automotive Enterprise). Provide creative and strategic direction for international customer marketing and internal communication needs, insuring business goals are achieved. Charged with inspiring the team to produce excellent work, driving cross-functional collaboration, identifying innovation, disseminating best practices and ultimately building brands. Collaborate with internal and external partners, participate in company strategizing, and make recommendations on creative initiatives to support strategic plans.

Accomplishments

  • Responsible for the visual strategic development, execution and coordination of Cox Automotive 25,000 square feet show-floor presence at NADA. Lead the design of 8 booths, integrated LED experience arc and an all-inclusive pre-show digital communication toolkit. 2018 results netted 36% YOY increase in signed contracts, 49% YOY increase in total MRR and 50% YOY increase in total annualized revenue.

  • Lead a comprehensive rebrand of Manheim bringing 6 brands under 1 master brand with 6 remarketing solutions. The new look is being deployed across 72 storefront locations including 4 seasonal promotional campaigns yearly and an immersive interactive client and employee experience. Manheim exceeded its’ overall experience target YTD – 52% of clients are fans of the brand at an all time high.

  • Developed the brand strategy for new Mobility Solution Group setting internal and external architecture, and name and visual development for the fleet operation brand. Mobility solution group has the growth potential of $100-$150 million of revenue for Cox Automotive.

  • Implemented new project management tools, technology solutions and creative development processes which resulted in successfully handling a 145% increase in project load.

  • Closely manage a team of employees and contractors, leveraging stakeholders and matrixed employees to achieve results. Strong focus on coaching and career growth aligned to employee skills and building a positive work environment. 4 reports have been designated “high potential,” and have been promoted.

Newell Brands | Creative Director | 2011 - 2013

Set overarching brand vision, objectives and strategies for the Beauty & Style general business unit (GBU) (Goody Hair products, Ace Hair Products and Salano) and Decor GBU (Levolor, Kirsch and Amerock). Management responsibilities include leading cross-functional collaboration with the Channel, Marketing and Scouring teams to ensure branding strategies are executed in line with the company’s business initiatives. Managed a 14+ team, comprising of Photo Director, Project Managers, Graphic Designers, Production Artists, Copywriters and external agencies to produce agency-level work in support of internal clients. Provided creative and strategic direction for all packaging, merchandising and digital communication needs. Oversaw creative development timelines and execution of processes in support of all corporate directives.

Accomplishments

  • Executed 3 integrated campaigns yearly that drove sales on key product categories for Goody, Levolor and Kirsch.

  • Launched 2 rebranding projects that enhanced brand value for Goody and Levolor within a 1 year timeframe.

  • Overhauled all content for print, packaging, merchandising web, advertising, catalogs and television commercials to align with the newly developed brand voices.

  • Produced photography, television and video media for regional/national TV commercials, product launch/ in-store informational videos, and training videos and “behind-the-scenes” clips for the web.

  • Directed shopper marketing creative initiatives to win in-store, and through retailer-led marketing vehicles resulting in a 40% increase in sales from 2012-2013.

  • Reduced 2 GBU creative services budgets by 25% and introduced creative briefs to strategically align deliverables to business initiatives.

Sololflight Design Studio | Partner / Creative Director | 2006 - 2011

Lead all brand and communication development for such clients as Georgia Pacific, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, AutoTrader.com, American Kidney Fund, Aon eSolutions, U.S. Pipe and Merial. Management responsibilities included leading a 6+ team and external agencies to produce high quality on target work. Developed brand strategies and tactics within the print/digital/social space to achieve annual revenue growth for clients. Acting as the client liaison by presenting various stages of work and effectively responding to client’s requests. Creating project briefs, budgets and negotiated contracts for company’s creative and digital agencies.

Accomplishments

  • Produced a print publication for Aon eSolutions that increased a print run from 8,000 to 14,000 copies due to increased demand.

  • Produced a publication for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta that helped their name recognition increase by 25% within a 3 year span.

  • Increased internal billings for Aon eSoultions by nearly 75% between 2008 and 2011.

  • Developed a print and interactive web-based public awareness campaign for Atlanta Beltline that experienced 25% hit rate from e-blasts and a 15% increased site activity to beltline.org.

  • Successfully transitioned a traditionally printed community report for AutoTrader.com into a successful award winning interactive publication.

EDUCATION

  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Bachelor’s Degree

  • FullSail University | MFA | Valedictorian

    AWARDS

  • AIGA | Portfolio 2018

  • Graphic Design USA | 2017-2022

  • ADDY Awards | 2020 + 2024

  • HOW Design | 2019-2022

  • Communication Arts | 2017-2018

    SPEAKING

  • FullSail University | Taking Flight | Unveiling Brilliance, 2023

  • Cox Enterprise | Insights, 2021

  • AIGA | Professional Round Table, 2019

SPEAKING

  • FullSail University | Taking Flight | Unveiling Brilliance, 2023

  • Cox Enterprise | Insights, 2021

  • AIGA | Professional Round Table, 2019