In the Life of Dave Mihalovic
Associate Creative Director, Marketing Solutions
8:00 AM
Check e-mail, review creative department documents and invoices, sign vacation requests, and review account needs for the day. Drink coffee. An hour later, meet with the Production Manager to review any department issues and verify which contractors will be working with us for the day/week and on what accounts.Overview
Dave joined Rosetta's Marketing Solutions group (then SimStar) in January 2004 as an Interactive Director. Dave's value to the company was quickly realized as he was able to upgrade the organization's creative functions with a highly unique skill set' he's a cross between an extremely talented Art Director and (as we affectionately call him) a "techno Geek." Dave's ability to solve creative problems and implement solutions with his vast technology background has been instrumental to both winning new business and developing award-winning solutions for our clients. Dave also has been instrumental in building and implementing the creative processes that ensure client value and corporate efficiency.
In my role as Associate Creative Director, I am primarily responsible for the overarching creative strategy for a number of accounts. The CD, in conjunction with Account Strategy and Experience Architecture, develops a creative vision that aligns with a brand's needs. The CD oversees both the design and copy components associated with the creative deliverables on an account. He/she makes high-level creative recommendations and presents cross-channel campaigns and primary deliverables to the client. It's essential that the CD champion a creative vision through the myriad of creative deliverables and the technical executions that are associated with an account or project.
At Rosetta, I have found that while the CD functions primarily at the Account level he may also execute specific deliverables at a project level. I find this highly invigorating as it allows me to remain attached to the actual creative process and help drive the creative vision to fruition. Another unique aspect of the position is my direct involvement in developing the functional end product from prototype to final release. The Creative department at Rosetta is divided into two arms that work in an integrated fashion. This includes the Creative Design/Copy arm and the Interactive Development arm. This unified approach has resulted in a much higher quality end product than what is produced at much larger agencies.
The CD also acts as a department manager and has numerous internal responsibilities. The CD oversees both the creative and front-end development arms of the larger creative department. My primary reports are Art Directors, Production Managers, and Interactive Developers. My responsibilities include budget management, talent acquisition, process management and more.
Of course the most exciting part of the position is the end product. Seeing a creative vision come to life in the marketplace is the most gratifying experience of anything that I do.