Hi, I'm Carmen Gage Ackert, a multifaceted creative professional with over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, art direction, and storytelling. I love bringing brands to life through distinctive design and meaningful narratives that connect with audiences across different industries. My approach is driven by research, customer-centricity, and targeted goals, helping businesses achieve powerful marketing results. I enjoy collaborating with teams, managing projects, and creating impactful campaigns that make a real difference.…

Carmen Gage Ackert

Hi, I'm Carmen Gage Ackert, a multifaceted creative professional with over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, art direction, and storytelling. I love bringing brands to life through distinctive design and meaningful narratives that connect with audiences across different industries. My approach is driven by research, customer-centricity, and targeted goals, helping businesses achieve powerful marketing results. I enjoy collaborating with teams, managing projects, and creating impactful campaigns that make a real difference.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Carmen Gage Ackert, a multifaceted creative professional with over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, art direction, and storytelling. I love bringing brands to life through distinctive design and meaningful narratives that connect with audiences across different industries.

My approach is driven by research, customer-centricity, and targeted goals, helping businesses achieve powerful marketing results. I enjoy collaborating with teams, managing projects, and creating impactful campaigns that make a real difference.

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Work Experience

Principal Creative Consultant at GAGE Branding & Design / Commission Arts
January 1, 2005 - June 4, 2024
Served clients for over 15 years across healthcare, medical software, home improvement, publishing, retail, engineering and environmental consulting industries. Developed brand strategy, architecture, messaging, and cohesive brand designs guided by competitive audits and market research. Implemented corporate rebranding initiatives, advertising and marketing campaigns both online and offline. Provided creative consultation, targeted design and content writing for client presentations and proposals. Planned and managed integrated marketing communications including PR and social media channels. Conducted marketing research through internal audits and consumer interviews to improve promotion efforts. Directed creative agencies, vendors and designers for web, email marketing, video production and other marketing activities to align with client brand values.
Art Director / Project Manager at The Change Companies
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Developed and conceptualized design of journaling curricula based on evidence-based psychology to support rehabilitation behavior change. Oversaw a team of writers, graphic designers, and videographers while executing project management schedules and tasks. Delivered copywriting, design, and illustration work, providing creative direction to meet project objectives. Assisted business development and account servicing related to curriculum composition and production.
Creative Director at KitchenWorks, Inc. and HomeWorks / Renewal by Andersen
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008
Established and led in-house advertising department for two corporations in home improvement industry. Managed and supervised a team of 5 contractors and full-time employees to meet workload demands. Designed and oversaw the build-out of the advertising department including budgets, layout, sourcing furniture, equipment and software. Directed vendors, negotiated media buying and advertising contracts. Created and managed advertising and direct-mail campaigns reaching hundreds of thousands of households. Strategized brand segments and customer loyalty programs, art directed photography, and conducted market research to support brand marketing. Collaborated across departments to ensure integrated marketing communications and goal achievement. Supported event marketing with booth graphics and sales materials, and maintained brand message consistency.
Art Director / Graphic Designer at P&H Creative Group - Ad Agency
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2005
Served as second-in-command in a boutique ad agency serving California small businesses and corporations. Hired and supervised design staff, guided freelance artists, illustrators, and copywriters. Executed graphic design, copywriting, and production for print-ready files. Worked with print brokers and vendors, presented creative strategies to clients, and managed agency accounts. Responsible for conceptual design of digital and print ads, direct-mail campaigns, front-end web design and SEO content, event displays, brochures, billboards, and identity design.
Principal Creative Consultant at GAGE Branding & Design / Commission Arts
January 1, 2005 - April 27, 2024
Served clients for more than 15 years across healthcare, medical software, home improvement, publishing, retail, engineering, and environmental consulting industries. Responsible for brand strategy, architecture, messaging, cohesive brand design, corporate rebranding initiatives, advertising and marketing campaigns, client presentations and proposals, integrated marketing communications including PR and social media, marketing research, and art direction and management of creative agencies and vendors to align efforts with client brand values.
Art Director / Project Manager at The Change Companies
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Developed design of journaling curricula using evidence-based psychology to help individuals in rehabilitation with behavior change. Oversaw a team of writers, graphic designers, and videographers, executing project management schedules, writing copy, designing and illustrating projects, providing creative direction, and assisting with business development and account servicing.
Creative Director at KitchenWorks, Inc. and HomeWorks / Renewal by Andersen
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008
Established in-house advertising department for two home improvement corporations. Hired and supervised a team of five, managed budget and office setup, directed vendors, negotiated media contracts, conceptualized and designed advertising and direct-mail campaigns reaching hundreds of thousands of households, strategized brand segments and customer loyalty programs, performed market research, collaborated with executive management, supported event marketing, and maintained brand consistency across departments.
Art Director / Graphic Designer at P&H Creative Group - Ad Agency
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2005
Second-in-command at a boutique advertising agency serving small businesses and corporations. Hired and oversaw design staff, directed freelance artists and copywriters, executed graphic design and production art, worked with print brokers and vendors, presented creative strategies to clients, and managed agency accounts. Designed digital and print ads, direct-mail campaigns, web design and SEO content, event displays, brochures, billboards, and identities.

Education

Bachlor of Arts at Azusa Pacific University, CA
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Bachlor of Arts at Azusa Pacific University, CA
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Bachelor of Arts at Azusa Pacific University, CA
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Healthcare, Software & Internet, Retail, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction

Skills

Experience Level