Organisation: Frankston City
Job Title: Production Officer
Word Limit: Maximum 2 page addressing the selection criteria
Location: Frankston
A relevant tertiary qualification or relevant experience in graphic design, production management, communications or advertising
My relevant qualifications include a Certificate of Business Studies – Advertising from RMIT, Melbourne; AFA Production Trainee Course at the Australian Federation of Advertising, Melbourne; a Diploma of Printing & Graphics (Multimedia) from RMIT Melbourne; a Diploma of Multimedia in Interactive Graphic Design from Box Hill TAFE; and Essentials in Marketing, also from Box Hill TAFE.
In addition, as can be seen in my resume, I have over 30 years of experience in print production, graphic design, production management, multi-media and advertising. I have worked on some of the most well-known advertising campaigns in Australia for clients such as Diners Club International, Schweppes Solo & Sunkist, CUB Capri and Strongbow, National Australia Bank, Levi Strauss, Country Road and RSPCA.
I have performed contract and casual work for several mainstream advertising agencies, including Mojo Australia, DDB Needham, Clemenger Direct, George Patterson Bates, Ammirati Puris Lintas, Country Road Clothing Pty Ltd, McCann Erickson, Grey Advertising, Saatchi & Saatchi, Whybin TWBA, Sudler & Hennessey, and J. Walter Thompson.
Proven strong project management, production management and client liaison skills
The strength of my project management, production management and client liaison skills are well illustrated by the following example.
During my tenure at Black Box in a marketing role, one of my responsibilities was to organise from start to finish the updating of content for the printing of the 2011 catalogue. Due to the size of the catalogue, this was a herculean task made all the more difficult due to the fact that the graphics were produced in India and all correspondence had to be by email. Timing and planning were vital in order to effectively ensure everything was done on time, according to schedule, and within the time frames and costings allowed for the job.
I organised the production by breaking the catalogue into ten separate sections, creating stages for each section such as stage 1 first draft approval, stage 2 corrections approval, stage 3 final approvals. As the corrections came through, I liaised with the authors in India who sent revisions to us. This required considerable coordination and very concise and clearly written instructions to ensure there was no misduplication of communication. As well as coordinating the artwork, I also took responsibility for the quotations and budget control. The end result of my project management of this very large and complex job was a first class product completed on time and within budget constraints. The quality was excellent and Black Box was most impressed with the result.
Proven ability to remain calm, make sound decisions under pressure and demonstrate resilience
Having worked on many advertising campaigns for such well-known brands as NAB, Dorf, Tourism Victoria and RSPCA, I am acutely aware of the need to make calm and sound decisions when under pressure from clients. In this way I meet deadlines whilst also ensuring I maintain excellent quality of product for the customer’s satisfaction.
An example is a campaign I worked on for Schweppes Solo produced at Brandhouse. The agency was responsible for the TV and print production for the campaign and I, as Print Production Manager, ensured that all print material, including magazine advertising to a media schedule of several publications as well as outdoor, billboard and Adshell posters deadlines, were met. Each item had separate specifications and I produced a timing schedule to coordinate each component, including the quoting for each job, print estimates, coordinating the graphic arts, printing, and so forth. Despite the hectic pace set and the need to make quick incisive decisions, I ensured that all material and print deadlines were met, and the client was kept informed of every stage of the campaign, including the estimate approval, timing and artwork approvals. The project was a great success and the client was thrilled with the campaign. I also took great satisfaction in driving around Melbourne sighting my work.
Ability to build strong working relationships with and gain cooperation of colleagues at all levels of the organisation
My ability to build strong relationships was well illustrated when I was given the task of co-ordinating the entire program for Member Benefits Travel Event at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) Conference 2015 during my current role as Marketing Manager with the Platinum Travel Corporation.
I organised a stand in the foyer for this event, plus the event display material – posters, travel brochures and giveaways from suppliers (baggage tags, pens, travel wallets etc.) Members were asked to fill out competition forms for a major prize, a two-day stay at Peppers Moonah Links. The package was provided in lieu of payment for the stand so pricing was to be kept at a minimum. I was able to achieve this through my negotiating skills and the package was impressive for the price it cost our company. To register clients who were interested in travel, I also organised three suppliers to give us $100 travel vouchers which were drawn at every break from members who registered on the day. I gained the co-operation of the sales team to man the stand and an agenda was set, so everyone understood their expectations. As it was also important that our website welcomed the members, I developed a page which welcomed and showed the members the benefits of using our services. This was also portrayed in 1200 copies of a flyer which I produced (design, art and printing) and was sent to the REIV for collation in their show bag. The project was briefed in by REIV on the 10 August and all was co-ordinated and completed for the conference in 17 working days. The event was a complete success; 200 registered names were added to our database; a very happy member won the 2-day weekend away; and my delivery of a professional introduction to the members of REIV was very well received by management.
