ANDREW BLUMBERG: Brand Architect & Creative Strategist in Solana Beach, CA

Instinctual knack for identifying niche market/category opportunities through brand and product positioning plays. I’ve endeavored: ideating, incubating, developing — creatively and strategically — several dynamic and disruptive brand concepts/active ventures in Athleisure, Fashion, and Drinkware. • Ideated, developed and presented COS — an experiential, multi-categorical, omni-channel brand platform to Urban Outfitters President, and to the CEO. Subsequently entered into unprecedented, formal negotiations for its purchase and establishment as a standalone retailer • Conceived and launched SUPERKOLDIE, a novelty drinkware concept that yielded 10x the investment capital in its first year of sales

Providing client companies with witty, upbeat brand and product copywriting, including advertising and advertorial / editorial content development for digital, interactive, and print media. (via Direct & Agency engagement)

Responsible for overall daily programming, creative direction: branding / marketing / messaging, and merch product; business development: site assessment, partner identification / outreach, event planning and entertainment, logistics, and coordination, implementation of: website design and build, social media curation, performance marketing coordination, vendor relations. • Secured sponsorships from: Spring Break and CAPiTA Snowboards, Union Binding Company, SLUSH The Magazine, Coal Headwear, DaKine, Drop Mfg., Howl Supply, One Mfg., Shred Soles, Solo Stove, and 805 Beer • Invited guests and contributors included: renowned photographers and industry media magnates, professional athletes and personalities, a clean water activist, and a James Beard awarded, 2-star Michelin chef • Aligned with Nickolay Dodov Foundation — the largest provider of free avalanche workshops and training in Northern California targeted towards youth

Conceptualized, launched, and managed an entire brand focused around an active-lifestyle collection of performance apparel, socks, and headwear. Evolved identity and established premium positioning while building equity for the company and its apparel program. Created advertising strategies and campaigns, guided photoshoots, established and activated all marketing objectives, held responsibility for media buys and sponsorships. Directed tradeshow activities. Originated innovative packaging and display solutions, in-store communications and programs. Conducted strategic research, planning, capital fundraising and budgeting. • Secured Zumiez as one of multiple authorized dealers, with the Washington-based mall retailer operating 174 independent doors • Profiled as a “Hot Brand” by Worth Global Style Network — the leading international fashion trend forecasting company • Sought-after by distributors worldwide • Established cause-related relationship with Habitat for Humanity • Selected as jury finalist for the Winter 2005 ISPO Brandnew — the biggest platform for sporty startups worldwide • Secured and strengthened North American specialty retail base of 85 accounts (100+ doors)

Implemented a total revitalization and relaunch of the industry’s leading periodical, TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine, a Time Inc. publication. This involved setting the editorial theme, tone, and direction for an in-house team of 10 — while managing a sizeable base of freelance writers and photographers. Organized and led weekly meetings to inspire fresh concepts and content, to assign projects, and to track progress on monthly deliverables. Increased communications between all related departments as well as with the publisher. Composed editorials, features, columns, and captions. Edited all news items and stories generated by in-house staff and freelancers for publication both in print and online platforms. Managed an annual budget. Oversaw fulfillment of international licensing agreements of content. And mentored student interns from UCLA, UC Davis, and SDSU. • Awarded Henry R. Luce Award for “editorial excellence in photography”, 2002 • Conceptualized amateur “TransAm Series” competition to increase brand exposure for the U.S.A. Snowboard Association • Served as Keynote Speaker at the TransWorld Panel Discussion, Colorado Ski Country Conference, 2002