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Kol Shtufaj
Creative Director
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SUMMARY:

Experienced hands-on creative director with a history of elevating brands through innovative design. Skilled in directing captivating visual brand identities, social media content, on-air show packaging, and key-art design. Impressively engaged billions of subscribers world-wide.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

The Game Day
Creative Director – 11/2021 – Present

  • Empowered, directed, and inspired a team of graphic designers (UX/UI, Digital, Motion) across multi-platform distribution channels

  • Created and established brand identity guidelines, media kits and brand portals to revitalize brand image and visual identity
  • Spearheaded the identification and implementation of creative request systems and asset management systems to effectively store and distribute creative and video production IP internally and externally
  • Creative leadership overseeing design across social media, digital content, video production, and podcasts resulting in surge of over 3 billion impressions, 800 million video views and 125 million engagements
  • Oversaw creative for B2B pitch proposals and white label services, resulting in monetization of content and increased profitability 
  • Pioneered the conception and development of Media.TheGameDay.com and TheGameDayShop.com, driving direct-to-consumer merchandise sales and increased B2B revenue
  • Led strategic planning for long-term innovation levers, including AI, to streamline and increase creative production capabilities
  • Established stunning studio set design driving brand integration strategies, blending creative visions and improving production value
  • Transformed the headquarters’ workspace by optimizing the layout, functionality, and visual aesthetic, while capturing the brand’s identity and culture
BetMGM
Creative Consultant – 06/2021 – 11/2021
  • Optimized paid and organic social creative, driving brand awareness and new customers to BetMGM’s flagship sportsbook
  • Collaborated with internal Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram teams to build dynamic original features to promote the BeTMGM brand
  • Spearheaded and managed the creative process for development of key art for BetMGM’s highly acclaimed yearly brand campaign
WWE
Senior Art Director – 06/2017 – 06/2021
  • Creative leadership to a team 30+ designers, motion designers, and photo editors across WWE’s multi-platform distribution channels
  • Led creative on all WWE social platforms resulting in the growth of 1 billion social followers and over 34 billion video views
  • Directed photoshoots for premier WWE Superstar photo galleries, featured content, key art design, and marketing initiatives
  • Elevated the visual appeal of WWE’s long-from premium content, WWE Originals and WWE Documentaries, with cutting-edge key art design and motion design packages
  • Contributed to the 2019 redesign of WWE’s subscription based SVOD service, WWE Network, collaborating with internal product development and external agency teams
  • Architected the 2021 migration of over 20,000 hours / 40 years of WWE Network library content visuals to NBCUniversal’s Peacock in under two months and with a team of 26 freelance production artists and 4 project managers
  • Created and managed a creative request system for WWE’s digital team. Later, shepherding the replacement with a more robust asset management system and creative request system that was adopted by WWE’s Creative Services and TV production teams
  • Fostered a collaborative and positive team culture, driving productivity, creative vision, and innovation through education and creative workshops
Art Director – 06/2014 – 06/2017
  • Lead Art Director and liaison between clients and internal departments, ensuring effective communication of creative requirements, meeting deadlines and project budgets
  • Managed 24/7 on-call and live show coverage schedules, for flagship shows Raw, Smackdown, and NXT
  • Directed and designed social media creative, exclusive features, directed photoshoots, and visually compelling content for WWE.com
  • Contributed to multiple redesigns of WWE.com, including UX/UI direction with external agencies and creative content migration
  • Played a key role in designing emerging new digital properties such as WWE Network, WWE Shop, WWE App, and WWE Kids
Digital Designer – 01/2012 – 06/2014
  • Developed visually captivating interactive graphics for enhanced user experience on WWE.com
  • Collaborated with producers and photographers during live broadcasts, creating real-time creative content for Raw and Smackdown
  • Contributed to the establishment and expansion of new WWE social media accounts, driving rapid growth and recognition
  • Designed captivating layouts and spreads for WWE magazine, delivering visually stunning content
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