Neil Ruffolo

Neil Ruffolo

Creative Pro and Internet Marketing Expert

Location
Greater Chicago Area
Industry
Marketing and Advertising

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Neil Ruffolo's Overview

Current
Past
  • Web Developer at TechPro, Inc.
  • President at Stargato Enterprises, Inc.
  • Team Marketing & Sales Manager at RE/MAX All Pro

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Education
  • Millikin University
  • Hillcrest High School
Recommendations

9 people have recommended Neil

Connections

131 connections

Websites

Neil Ruffolo's Summary

I am a seasoned marketing pro with pragmatic know-how based on best practices learned working with organizations of various sizes and focus, both public and private. Also an accomplished graphic artist and copy writer for print and electronic media, I offer the valuable ability to develop strategy, collaborate as part of the creative team and keep the two closely aligned with business objectives.

Specialties

Integrated Marketing, Higher Education Marketing, SMB Marketing, Creative Direction, Web Design/Development, Graphic Design

Neil Ruffolo's Experience

Internet Marketing Coordinator

Waubonsee Community College

Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry

September 2008 – Present (3 years 9 months) Sugar Grove, IL

At this two-year public college I oversaw the launch and continue to plan and implement all Online Advertising, SEO/SEM, Social Media, Email Marketing and Digital Signage. In 2011 my work was recognized by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) with a gold Paragon Award. In addition, I contributed to an institutional website redesign and successful grand opening events for three campus facilities.

Web Developer

TechPro, Inc.

November 2007 – August 2008 (10 months) Saint Charles, IL

As the sole formally trained graphic designer at this IT services firm, I served as de facto art director completing a heretofore partially implemented re-branding initiative. Projects included website redesign, sales collateral, vehicle graphics, forms, communication materials, trade show displays, and more. Formal responsibilities included Web design and support services for clients in the health care, real estate, retail, outdoorsman, restaurant and motorsport industries.

President

Stargato Enterprises, Inc.

August 2005 – August 2008 (3 years 1 month)

As a self-employed entrepreneur I conceived and developed SignScout, a mobile marketing solution for the residential real estate industry. It was introduced to the Chicagoland market through an integrated marketing campaign that included print advertising, direct mail and email marketing. Additional projects for clients in the real estate brokerage and tactical supply industries included:

  · Web Design/Development
  · CMS Portal Administration
  · Database Admin. (MSSQL, mySQL)
  · Digital Video (Podcasting)
  · E-Commerce

Team Marketing & Sales Manager

RE/MAX All Pro

Privately Held; 5001-10,000 employees; Real Estate industry

February 2005 – March 2007 (2 years 2 months) Bloomingdale, IL

As an independently licensed agent I applied my acquired business management and marketing experience to the residential real estate brokerage industry. Joining a sales partnership that grew to include four agents, I developed an integrated marketing strategy resulting in an online lead capture destination widely recognized as one of the area's top performing agent websites. In fact, ours was reportedly used by RE/MAX of Northern Illinois as a regional training example. In addition to ordinary real estate sales activities, my role included:

  · Managing sales for a team of four agents
  · Team Brand Development
  · Direct Mail Marketing
  · Print Advertising
  · Web Design & Development
  · SEO/SEM

In addition, helping others successfully navigate the complex home buying and selling process heightened my awareness of equal opportunity issues and provided many chances to relate with people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Interactive Director

Venture Marketing

Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry

July 2004 – December 2004 (6 months) Downers Grove, IL

After working with this full-service agency as a contractor I joined the five-person team on a full-time interim basis, managing website development for various clients in the high tech, higher education, commercial real estate and financial services industries. Formal responsibilities included:

  · Web Design (HTML/CSS)
  · CMS Administration
  · E-Commerce
  · Information Architecture
  · User Experience Design/Usability

Owner

Studio Ruffolo

November 2000 – November 2004 (4 years 1 month)

As a local franchisee for Utah-based CirclePix, Inc., I established a thriving B2B photography business that grew to require the hiring, training and management of an assistant photographer. As an independent contractor I also provided general creative services to clients in the financial services, staffing, publishing and software development industries, including:

  · Corporate Identity/Integrated Branding
  · Print Design & Production Management
  · Web Design (HTML)
  · Photography
  · Copy Writing, Editing

In addition, learning a living as a freelance graphic artist for four years taught me the value of disciplined business practices, including cost/time estimates, budgeting and resource planning, expense tracking, bookkeeping and tax preparation.

Adjunct Instructor

International Academy of Design and Technology

Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry

September 2000 – June 2001 (10 months) Chicago, IL

At this Career Education Corporation school I gained insight into higher education from a faculty perspective. By teaching introductory digital imaging and design courses, I also developed a reasonable level of comfort speaking in front of groups and relating with traditional age students.

Vice President, Creative

Kudoz.com

September 1999 – November 2000 (1 year 3 months) Chicago, IL

After establishing the Web presence and online marketing strategy for Train Reinforce Inspire, Inc., I conceived and developed its spinoff online brand Kudoz.com (defunct). This e-commerce initiative grew to become the primary focus of the company during the "dot com" boom.

Art Director

Train Reinforce Inspire, Inc.

March 1997 – August 1999 (2 years 6 months) Elmhurst, IL

A traditional sales organization, this employee reward, recognition and incentives firm is where my understanding of general business administration was greatly expanded. Functional duties included:

  · Brand Management
  · Product Line Development
  · Direct Mail Marketing
  · Print Advertising
  · Web Design & Development (HTML)
  · SEO/SEM
  · Email Marketing
  · Online Community Management
  · Advertising Specialties
  · Copy Writing, Editing

In addition, as de facto publicist I secured radio, television and trade press coverage, and provided input on organizational development and strategy through the President's advisory committee.

Art Director

Marketing & Technology Group, Inc.

Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Publishing industry

February 1994 – February 1997 (3 years 1 month) Chicago, IL

Joining this trade magazine publisher shortly after its founding, I made significant contributions to its rise from startup to category leader. As art director I learned to work efficiently, maintaining a high level of technical and creative quality in a fast-paced, deadline driven digital production environment. Designing three publications for the food processing industry, my work was recognized with a second place national award of excellence from the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE). Regular duties included:

  · Editorial Art Direction & Design
  · Print Publication Production
  · Information Graphics
  · Photo Editing
  · Copyfitting
  · Advertising Design

In addition, I managed a small pool of freelance designers to handle overflow as needed and contributed to the company's early Web publishing initiatives, including online advertising design.

Neil Ruffolo's Education

Millikin University

BFA, Graphic Design

1989 – 1993

Graduated suma cum laude

Activities and Societies: Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity (Eta Epsilon chapter), Art Gallery Staff, Auditorium Usher, Computer Graphics lab technitian

Hillcrest High School

1985 – 1989

Neil Ruffolo's Additional Information

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