SELECT CLIENTS
Asics
Callaway Golf
Coca-Cola
Couche-Tard
Google
Home Depot
KitchenAid
Microsoft
Nestlé
Oakley
OLG
PepsiCo
Samsung
Seagate
Telus
Under Armour
Unilever
Whirlpool
ACHIEVEMENTS
2018-2024 Initiated and grew our Samsung Experience Store Retainer YOY from $0 in 2018 to $1,108,000.
Created original go-to-market campaigns and omnichannel events that consistently exceeded sales targets by 250%, becoming the first agency to consolidate Key Visual, Copywriting and Print portions of SES campaign development.
2024 Led successful OLG RFP to become AOR for next 5 years.
2022 Our Mobile Klinik Store Reinvention was implemented across 100+ stores in Canada in less than 4 months and won the Retail Council of Canada’s 2022 Excellence in Retailing award for the Best New In-Store Experience Design.
2017 Created interactive VR Scavenger Hunt for Samsung’s Dealer Show to communicate new DA product features. Buzz led all the way back to Samsung HQ in Korea.
2013 Developed KitchenAid US 2014 Retail + POP Styleguide.
2012 Won RFP before Developing, Producing, Installing Under Armour Football Program at over 3,000 Retail locations across the US.
2012 Special Letter of Recognition awarded by LG&P In-Store Agency California / NJ / Toronto / China.
2010 Nestlé Partner Excellence Award Honourable Mention.
2009 Ed Marra Marketing Award of Excellence.
2004 Selected as “Best of Show” for thesis exhibit at the Design Exchange.
MY CORE CAPABILITIES
Management
Agile Leader
Empathetic Mentor
Team & Partner Manager
Vendor Guardian
Process Improver
AI & Tech Integrator
Client Relationship Builder
RFP Submissions Lead
In-Person Pitch Presenter
Design/Print Retainer Cultivator
Champion of Clear/Ironclad SOWs
(before any creative or solutions)
Strategy
Creative & Art Direction
Copywriting for Retail
Research & Insight Generation
Unique Value Propositioning
Product Marketing
Problem Solving
Campaign Planning & Execution
Weekly Client Status Meetings
Path-to-Purchase Strategy
Store & Customer Experience
Retail Transformation
OMNI Channel Marketing (MarCom)
Design
New Business Development
Creative Concept Presentations
Build/Preflight Production Art Spec Substrates and Specials
Pantone Colour Matching
QC Press Approvals
Graphic Design / POP / OOH / Digital / Social / CRM / Web
Go-to-Market Campaign
Key Visual & Copy Development
Content Creation & Localization
XD Experiential & Environmental
Event & Tradeshow Design
Tech & Retail Innovation
Packaging & Typography
Branding & Identity
Styleguides & Icons
MICHAEL FLOTNER
Art Director // Brand + Retail Specialist
mflotner@gmail.com
905.717.0545
www.michaelflotner.com
EXPERIENCE
Toronto, ON
July 2014 – Oct 2024
10 Years 4 Months
ART DIRECTOR / BRAND MANAGER
I started out in a CPG Package Design Agency before moving into Retail. Over the last 15+ years I've been focused on building key client and vendor relationships, while directing extremely agile and scalable teams based on client needs that change by the hour. This wealth of in-store experience contributed to Samsung trusting me to lead the strategy, development, production and installation for all Samsung Experience Stores across Canada since 2019. During that time I was responsible for optimizing the SES division budget while planning their annual Marketing Calendars, growing our SES Retainer YOY from $0 in 2018 to $1,108,000 in 2023.
Beyond Samsung, I've successfully managed multiple projects and teams for some really amazing brands, balancing priorities to deliver world-class quality on time and on budget. I've also enhanced shopper and brand engagement in immersive store environments, driving retail innovation to stand out in a crowded market. With a very diverse skill set, I have the unique ability to oversee or assist with everything from concept to production and installation, ensuring brand consistency, print or fabrication quality, and pantone accuracy. I have a proven track record of delivering results that surpass client and shopper expectations while optimizing in-store conversions.
Toronto, ON
Nov 2008 – Dec 2013
5 Years 2 Months
LG&P In-Store Agency - Toronto Office
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER / BRAND MANAGER
Highlights: Developed 2014 Retail + POP Styleguide for KitchenAid US / Won RFP then developed, produced and installed Under Armour Football Program at over 3,000 Retail locations across the entire US / Worked with Home Depot Canada to build store signage standards, including wayfinding, iconography, and new category guidelines / Creative lead in client meetings and pitch presentations / Managed design teams in New Jersey, Texas, California, Atlanta while working on client deliverables / Seamlessly collaborated with multiple 3rd-party agencies on large client initiatives / Directed Home Depot photoshoots in California / Worked with management to improve process / Cultivated a strong relationship with vendors to help produce the impossible, yesterday / Sourced & specified materials / Became an expert at buffered Work-Back-Schedules / Instruction sheets / Press Approvals / Determined resources to maximize ROI.
Toronto, ON
May 2005 – Nov 2008
3 Years 7 Months
Bowring / Benix / Bombay & Co - B&C Group
INTERMEDIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNER
/ POP & PACKAGING DESIGNER
Highlights: Produced all external communication, in-store POS, and product packaging for all three home decor brands / Managed and operated photo studio / Hired and supervised Junior Graphic Designers.
Toronto, ON
Aug 2003 – Current
Facet Design
FREELANCE CONSULTANT
BRANDING / STRATEGY / DESIGN / MARKETING
King City, ON
Aug 2001 – Aug 2003
2 Years 1 Month
CPG PACKAGING DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ARTIST
Highlights: Creating composite images from multiple studio shots for European chocolate packaging / Hand-painting cellophane for White Swan package mock-ups / Created conceptual art for Altoids packaging.
EDUCATION
Sept 2001 – Apr 2004
George Brown College - School of Design
GRAPHIC DESIGN DIPLOMA
Jan 2000 – Dec 2000
Centennial College - Bell Centre for Creative Communications
NEW MEDIA DESIGN CERTIFICATE
