Resumé

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

VP, Creative – Associated Content
I currently oversee Associated Content’s creative vision and all aspects of print and web design projects relating to our rapidly expanding brand. This includes AC’s UI/UX, front-end website designs (associatedcontent.com, partner.associatedcontent.com), designing and building co-branded mini-sites, B2B decks, conference signage, marketing/PR materials, etc. As AC’s creative lead, I’ve also helped our BD & Sales teams develop and maintain relationships with various media buyers and creative groups representing tier 1 brands such as Nestle, Kellogg’s, Dell and Microsoft. Working successfully with these agencies has allowed me to demonstrate strong leadership in taking creative and interactive projects from concept to completion.

Co-Founder, Design/Development Lead – Associated Content
Managed product rollouts, software versioning and platform migration while developing solid business partnerships that assisted the success of AssociatedContent.com. I also used my professional experience and skills that allowed for the following key accomplishments: Ground up development of Associated Content’s publishing platform (LAMP stack) that allows for publication of user-generated content. Assisted in the development of Associated Content’s Yield Management System – a homegrown analytic tool used to dynamically (1) select optimal ad partners; (2) predict content shelf life; (3) estimate ROI on any content acquisitions; (4) generate optimal “meta” data for published web content and (5) organize and publish seasonal content. (Patent pending) Developed viral/social network marketing standards for boosting page views, content submissions and user registrations. Developed an effective SEO framework for text, image, audio and video content, increasing discoverability on the web and effectively monetizing content libraries. Designed and developed Associated Content’s “sticky” user interfaces leading to effectively increasing click-through rates on both advertisements and related inventory. Built AC’s content syndication system that is used to maximize web presence via custom feeds for both third-party sites and vertical domains. Clients include Zappos, ABC, Ace Hardware, Autobytel, Mom Junction and IAC.

Design Consultant
Rather than assuming that every client needs a flashy new website or a shiny new logo, my approach has always been to create the most effective, ROI-based answers to meet the client’s specific needs. This philosophy has granted me opportunities to work directly with agencies representing established brand names as well as small to medium-sized, local organizations and non-profit groups. Despite their size or brand recognition, I’ve helped many companies communicate their message through design, copywriting, web development, data architecture, online marketing and content development. Here are some highlights:

Designer/Application Architect – Scripps Howard
My work included the design and implementation of a “calendar application” that allowed the public to submit local events which were then moderated and published by editors for print and web. The framework is currently used by all Scripps Howard Newspaper sites as well as FineLiving.com, FoodNetwork.com and HGTV.com. (TCL/TK, Oracle, and the GUI design using Vignette, Flash, Perl and JavaScript).

Web Designer/Developer- Rocky Mountain News
“Leonardo is central to the maintenance and development of the Rocky’s Web site. He has met every challenge we’ve given him. He has been quick to pick up on journalism style and practice. He juggles several different projects at any given time. He is always cooperative with the staff. And he is always abreast of the latest industry trends and eager to learn new technology. Leonardo has taken the lead in maintaining and improving our site’s interactive applications. Most notably over the past two years, Leonardo has helped in the development of our election, Rocky Preps, Nightlife and census applications.” – Mike Noe, Internet News Editor

MEMBERSHIPS

Board Member – Art Institutes Alumni Board
Denver Botanic Gardens Technology Task Force
Design Management Institute
National Association of Photoshop Professionals
Rocky Mountain Open Source (LAMP)

EDUCATION

Art Institute of Colorado – Bachelor of Arts in Design Management
Major studies in graphic design, minor studies in human factor. John Jellico Scholarship recipient.

University of Colorado at Boulder
Major studies in Computer Science, merit scholarship.