top of page

About.

Hi, I'm Sharie Lesniak. I got started in advertising a few decades ago (remember when we used to call it “advertising?!”). Since then I have worked in branding, marketing and social media, online and offline, broadcast and print, for profit and nonprofit. I've worked for big-name brands and helped others get started, and done so across a variety of industries. But what makes me able to work well in the various disciplines is that I always stay true to discovering the most creative way to stay on strategy and deliver the results. Keeping it Strategic.

 

And that “being a little nuts” thing helps keep it real, so I work well with other creative and strategic sorts and can assemble and motivate a kick-A team to do thier best work. Whatever is required to deliver the results for your one-off project or entire brand. Strategic Squirrel at your service.

RESUME
Sharie Lesniak 

​

VALET LIVING a national doorstep recycling, waste and amenity provier to the multifamily industry (visit: valetliving.com >>)
11/17 to present —-- Creative Director

  • MARKETING ROLES: Working to help build a fast-growing national brand, from the inside out, through compelling internal and external materials that champion the brand. Marketing the launches of innovative new product lines and moving the company from B2B to B2C.

  • DESIGN & COPY: Design and write marketing & advertising collateral for print, online, sales tools, internal and more. 

​

BORN FREE USA a nonprofit wildlife organization (visit: bornfreeusa.org >>)
12/03 to 11/17 —-- Creative Director

  • MARKETING ROLES: Responsible for the overall look and feel, tone and manner of all brand expressions in print and online along with the strategic direction for campaigns and programs.

  • DESIGN & MANAGEMENT ROLES: Design all print materials, including brochures, advertisements, magazine, corporate identity, annual report, campaign materials, etc. and online video. Oversee the programming, design and content of all electronic mediums; websites, social marketing, eNewsletters, action alerts and email acquisition. 

​

ADDIS a strategic branding and positive change firm (visit: addis.com >>)
04/00 to 12/03 —-- Senior Copywriter 

  • CLIENTS: Smith & Hawken, Blue Shield, Gap, Intel, Pottery Barn Kids, Charles Schwab, 24-Hour Fitness, Aerus/Electrolux, Aura Cacia and more.

  • ROLES: Collaborated with creative and strategic brand managers to develop strategies and brand ideas in various mediums. Led brainstorming sessions. Teamed with writers and designers to concept naming projects, identity architecture, packaging and new business pitches. 

 

TBWA/CHIAT/DAY named one of the top ten worldwide advertising agencies (visit: tbwa.com >>)

09/97 to 04/00 --— Copywriter 

  • CLIENTS: Nissan North America, Infinity Motor Cars, Bridgestone Tires, Chivas Regal, Absolut vodka.

  • ROLES: Developed multi-media advertising campaigns (newspaper, magazine and broadcast TV spots) based on strategic direction, with an art director/partner from concept to completion. Presented materials to clients from first round to finished product. 

 

ROBIN SHEPHERD GROUP an integrated branding, marketing and public relations agency (visit: trsg.net >>)
11/95 to 09/97 —-- Associate Creative Director 

  • CLIENTS: PGA Tour, CSX Transportation, Merial/Heartgard, Johnson & Johnson/Vistakon, and more.

  • ROLE Inspired and motivated creative teams to constantly produce work that was on strategy and met our creative standards — while being on time and within budget. Strategized, concepted and pitched new business; winning seven out of the nine accounts pitched. 

 

NONPROFIT & COMMUNITY WORK (includes client, freelance and volunteer projects)
6/97 to present --— various roles

  • MY DOG IS COOL stopping dogs from dying in hot cars by keeping them cool (visit: mydogiscool.com >>)                                                              

-- Developed the program, crafted the brand and run the campaign, marketing and outreach.

  • FAUNALYTICS marketing research, analysis and strategies for nonprofit animal and environmental organizations (visit: faunalytics.org >>)  

-- Founding board member, assist in all areas of strategy, marketing and design    

  • ANIMAL PLACE a farmed animal sanctuary and education center (visit: animalplace.org >>)                                                                                        

 -- Create ads, marketing and outreach materials, help organize and publicize events.

  • A BITCHIN'’ SPACE a studio space and art gallery                                                                                                        

-- Create web and PR content plus marketing materials and co-direct artist and art benefit shows. 

  • STOP DOG FIGHTING project for the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control & Welfare and Animal Care & Control

-- Created an outdoor campaign to educate San Franciscans about dog fighting and how to stop

  •  PANGAEA GLOBAL AIDS FOUNDATION (formerly SF AIDS Foundation) working with partners in Africa, Asia and the Pacific     

--- Developed their new name and brand identity while working at Addis    

  • PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) provides companion animal services to ill, low-income San Franciscans (visit: pawssf.org >>)                            

-- Created PSAs, helped organize events and performed outreach. 

  • STAND! (formerly Battered Woman’s Alternative) works to end domestic violence, child abuse and rebuild lives (visit: standffov.org >>)             

 -- Developed their new name, brand identity and guidelines while working at Addis.

  • JACKSONVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY companion animal adoption and community education center (visit: jaxhumane.org >>)                                  

-- Created a PR plan, collateral, t-shirts, and fundraising materials.

  • PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHEAST FL reproductive health care and sex education (visit: plannedparenthood.org >>)              

-- Developed a plan to launch a new Teen Clinic and created radio and print collateral.

  • JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA performs concerts, special events and community education programs (visit: jaxsymphony.org >>)      

-- Developed marketing materials, yearly programs and broadcast advertisements for concerts and events while at the Robin Shepherd Group

  • CUMMER MUSEUM OF ARTS & GARDENS permanent collection encompasses eight thousand years of art history (visit: cummermudeum.org >>) 

-- Developed invites and advertisements for special events while at the Robin Shepherd Group.

  • JACKSONVILLE FILM COMMISSION Jacksonville FL was considered to be the original Hollywood                                                                                   -- Created logo and outreach materials to convince production companies to shoot movies in Jacksonville while at the Robin Shepherd Group.

​

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University (visit: wmich.edu >>)  
           -- Marketing/Advertising (major) Art & Graphic Design (minor)

bottom of page