Direct feedback:

“Kip Finch was, without a doubt, my very best hire at MemberWorks. He's smart, extremely creative, technically savvy and consistently think outside the box while keeping cost and client considerations in mind. David Ogilvy once said "Hire people who are better than you are, then leave them to get on with it. Look for people who will aim for the remarkable, who will not settle for the routine." That's exactly what I did with Kip and he has been a remarkable asset to Vertrue.”
Anne Cheevers,
Vice President, Direct Marketing & Creative Services, MemberWorks

“It's been a pleasure to work with Kip and his team. I have worked with him for close to 10 years. He runs a well oiled ship and is highly respected by his team.”
Jeremias Stelter
Vice President of Creative Sales, Alden Staffing

“Kip is a highly effective manager of a large group of employees. Because of Kip's very likable leadership style, his group is happy to successfully meet all of their deadlines with enthusiasm and creativity.”
Linda Springer,
Sr. Manager of Market Research, Vertrue

“I can't say enough wonderful things about Kip. As my supervisor, he was always my greatest advocate, ensuring that I continued to have opportunities and be challenged. He is an excellent manager. He's smart, creative and analytical. And best of all, he's a truly good person. I was very fortunate to have worked with Kip.”
Shelly Galvin
Senior Director, Vertrue

“During my employment at Vertrue, I was selected to become part of a new area in the company – Brand Management (protecting our brand/reputation both on and offline). Although I did not report to Kip directly at first, I could see that his vast knowledge, innovative ideas, drive to succeed and strong work ethic were making a positive impact on our team – just what any new department needs. Kip was a great leader, patient mentor, team player and confident – always remaining respectful of others while getting the job done. I was lucky to be part of his team and owe him for a large part of my success at Vertrue! I recommend Kip for fostering a successful team and for generating work that is of the highest quality – all while keeping the company’s best interests in mind.
MJ Randels,
Sr. Manager, Brand Management, Vertrue

“I had the pleasure of working with Kip throughout my tenure at Vertrue. He is a strategic and creative thinker and leads a team of dynamic & talented professionals. He is an asset to any project he is part of. I hope we have the opportunity to work together again.”
Sean Condren,
Senior Product Manager, Vertrue

“Kip, It’s great to see that we are working side by side as a team moving the “Big 6” projects forward. I truly appreciate the open and honest lines of communications that we have been able to establish. Thanks again for all of your help!!"
Onofrio Patafio,
Project Manager, Global Web Operations, Adaptive Marketing, LLC.

“Way to go! Producing high-quality creative is a high-priority for our organization. As a marketing company, it’s the most important thing we have. I’ve been impressed by the improvements I’ve seen lately. Working as a team with marketing and IT, you’ve been able lead us toward producing more dynamic and impactful web communications for our members. I look forward to seeing future progress. Keep up the great work!”
Jay Sung
President, Adaptive Marketing, LLC.

Present: Vice President, Creative Services
Adaptive Marketing, LLC - a subsidiary of Vertrue Incorporated, Norwalk, CT

Responsible for the strategic creative development, implementation and delivery of a wide variety of interactive and print material for a $800 Million dollar marketing firm. Product categories serviced include credit monitoring, reporting and scoring services, discount shopping and lifestyle services, elective medical procedures and real estate foreclosure subscription services.

Specialties:

• Establish and maintain a collaborative team environment through strong leadership skills; continually cultivate, motivate and grow a talented creative group of over 20 staff members
• Strong art direction, problem solving skills collaborating with marketers, designers, writers and technical teams
• Solid workflow management and production skills with a strong emphasis on project management and technology
• Cutting edge SEO (search engine optimization) marketing solutions
• Ability to forge strong alliances with top consumer retailers and service providers such as Barnes & Noble, Blockbuster, Home Depot, JC Penney, Lowe’s, Sharper Image, Toy R Us, Universal Studios, Walt Disney and others
• Managed profitable creative development and implementation for top Internet partners including AOL, Earthlink, MSN, Yahoo and others
• Accountable for $2.7 million departmental budget including salaries, benefits, outsourced freelance talent, stock and custom photography

Personal Business Successes:

• Successful implementation of organic brand management through SEO strategies
• Established current controls for online member acquisition and lead generation test panels
• Forged new marketing channel for Bargain Network Homes
• Established enterprise-wide workflow process that significantly increased promotional materials speed to market

January 2001 – July 2007: Vice President, Creative Services
Vertrue – formally MemberWorks

Personal Business Successes:

• Built in-house web capabilities including design, back end programming and networking which reduced outsourcing costs by 30% and increased speed to market by 50%
• Established all product line member communication and web site controls
• Promoted to Vice President for accomplishments in leadership and direction

October 1995 – January 2001: Director of Creative Services at
MemberWorks, Stamford CT

Personal Business Successes:

• Redesigned and standardized print fulfillment materials across all product lines creating a 25% cost reduction while maintaining or increasing retention of programs.
• Created new direct mail control packages for healthcare, entertainment, leisure and travel programs.
• Promoted from Creative Services Manager to Director within one year of hire

July 1993 - October 1995: Art Director
Newfield Publications, Shelton, CT

Creative/production of response-generating, sales-producing, direct mail packages, space ads, FSI's and other advertising material for a variety of adult, juvenile and school markets. Work closely with copywriters, marketing personnel, and editorial department. Also responsible for freelance photographers, illustrators and designers.

Personal Business Successes:

• Created new direct mail control packages for such products as Reading Rainbow, Sports Pages, Young Students Learning Library and Weekly Reader Book Club
• Developed a system whereby electronic mechanicals for shipping cartons was instituted saving the company substantial production costs
• Created new enclosures that resulted in a 35% response (15% over projection) for new Dinosaur product line.

December 1991 - July 1993: Art Director
Weekly Reader Corporation, Middletown, CT

Produced classroom instructional materials for leading children's newspaper used by over 30 million teachers. Responsible for free-lance designers, illustrators and photographers.

Personal Business Successes:

• Redesigned an entire product line (Skills Books) that resulted in increased sales of 40%.
• As Chair of Mac Committee Advisory Board, addressed the training needs of art directors so they could produce work better, faster and more efficiently.

October 1989 - December 1991: Creative Director,
SportClub, Inc., Cheshire, CT

Creative/production of mail order catalogs, direct response advertising, wholesale departments, merchandising
and retail of sports/active wear apparel and equipment manufacturer.

Personal Business Successes:

• Set-up, staffed and oversaw in-house art/advertising desktop publishing department.
• Forged direct contact with Weider Publishing to establish successful, costume, branded direct mail catalogs

July 1987 - October 1989: Art Director,
Griffin:Thomas Communications, West Haven, CT.

Created promotion, direct mail, collateral and recruitment advertising. Accounts: Society for Savings, Dictaphone, Ames, Stamford Hospital/Center for Continuing Care, United Way, Yale New Haven Hospital, and Bryant Electric

Education: 1987 B.F.A. Paier College of Art, Hamden, CT

Groups and Associations: Who's Who, LinkedIn, eOffice, eMarketing

Honors and Awards: Connecticut Art Directors Club gold award winner, X-Team Recognition awards, LookMyBest.com Recognition award, Dale Carnegie Training certification, Global Web Operation certification

Mac/PC literate: Adobe, Microsoft Office, QuarkXpress

Contact Information: 305 West Street, Lakeside CT 06758 • (860) 459-0170