Karl Mortensen

Fostered a team of creatives to build and deploy messaging, collateral material and brand initiatives for our retail partners as well as our direct-to-consumer sites. Generated a renewed confidence in our imaging department and brought together creative teams spanning geographic distances. Expanded the service offering of our department through extended education for team members, employing contract talent, and leveraging talent from sister companies. Reduced hemorrhaging budget by identifying and eliminating unnecessary spend.

• Reduced lead-time by 70% after inheriting an operation plagued with delayed product launches, duplicated SKUs, and disgruntled staff. Initiated and implemented strategies to quickly improve staff morale and productivity.
• Reorganized staff by creating new roles, modified workflow to remove unnecessary work, and implemented training to increase productivity.
• Provided mentorship, leadership, and direction to a creative team of photographers, videographers, graphic artists, operations associates, and international retouchers.
• Established and implemented creative standards and processes to ensure quality deliverables while managing the production of 360-degree video devices to satisfy online imagery needs for each retailer.
• Directed and produced educational videos with 3D renders of complex processes, marketplace choices, and responsible sourcing of materials.

Photographer based in the Amazon’s largest off-figure studio charged primarily with driving quality in jewelry and timepieces, in addition to championing studio safety in all North American studios. OSHA certified for safety compliance and incident reporting.

• Implemented a rotational cadence to cross-train all photographers for any subject matter, reducing the risk of increasing SLA with a singular workforce absence.
• Decreased injuries by 15% across all studios in North America by creating an environment of increased safety awareness through signage, email messaging, and continued training; broadcasted these efforts across all North America studios.
• Subject matter expert accountable for authoring and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training manuals to improve efficiency and streamline operations.
• Led, trained, and developed permanent and freelance photographers in lighting, software, workflow, and process.

Strategic liason between dealership management principles and wary consumers, granting confidence and transparency through the car-buying process. Creative partner for branded messaging through web, print and broadcast.

• Advertising, copywriting and graphic design for eight automotive dealerships
• Web design, mobile interface, user experience
• Email campaigns and customer relationship management
• Compliance with FTC regulations and strict manufacturers’ legal requirements
• SEO campaigns, SEM strategies using Google Analytics and AdWords
• Generated social media content and built followers via grass-roots and paid targeting efforts
• Designed and implemented Digital Asset Management

Contract photographer creating partnerships with small retailers, startups and multi-national corporations.

• Product, environmental, fashion photography and videography
• 360-degree product video
• Retouching, clipping paths, and color authoring to provide web-ready assets
• Graphic and web design, catalog layout and ad campaign consultation
• Studio and equipment consultation, set building and maintenance

Designed and built a photo studio for an expanding creative team. Devised and executed a “shoot abroad” program that brought the photography process to the product, as opposed to waiting for the product to ship and clear the Customs Department, resulting in sales materials delivered to customers 6 weeks sooner.

• Product photography for revolving annual catalog of 14,000 items
• Produced lifestyle photography in studio and on location to showcase collections
• Managed studio cap-ex budget and freelance staff
• Produced video interviews of product designers and sales staff