Appolllo Bey is a creative leader with agency and in-house experience mentoring creative teams and delivering award-winning client work. He is currently seeking a position as a creative director in an inclusive agency environment where he can motivate teams to craft innovative work and sell integrated solutions to a portfolio of clients. Appolllo combines his background in fashion, advertising, and graphic design to elevate brands to their greatest potential.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Art Director & Acting Creative Director
GMR Marketing |California, United States
June 2021 – Present

Leads creative work from concept to delivery by overseeing the success of ideation, concept development, design, and pitches and presentations with the guidance of executive creative directors and senior creative directors—while ensuring direct reports are growing according to their career development goals.

  • Co-led agency’s first major project with Target, elevating the agency from a leader in sports marketing to a leader in fashion.

  • Co-led and won Cisco x 2024 Olympic Games RFP, increasing revenue for the agency.

  • Contributed new ideas to career development, resulting in employee satisfaction and retention.

  • Selected as top diverse talent, attaining worldwide recognition by the agency during black history month.

  • Received monthly mentorship and support from the chief creative officer to evolve agency culture and client offerings.

  • Developed high-value assets for the agency, resulting in new business and talent acquisition.

Creative Director
Bumpboxx | California, United States
June 2020 – Jan 2021

Selected by the CEO to lead creative for a six figure business by developing the company’s first inhouse design and production team.

  • Developed creative department structure and processes, resulting in steadied growth and retention.

  • Led business’ creative operations to lower production costs, generating 100k in revenue for talent acquisition.

  • Directed creative team to develop key branding assets, increasing performance of sales team.

  • Performed company audit, resulting in defined roles for employees and the formation of a human resources department.

  • Led brand development, overseeing relationships with clients and influencers.

  • Co-led product partnerships with NFL, MLB, UFC, American Cancer Society, and major celebrities.

Art Director
National Football League | New York, NY
July 2009 – Sep 2019

Led the internal design team to create branded products and experiences that resonate with consumers and business partners by developing brand guidelines that span across print, digital, and video.

  • Leveraged unique skill set to drive company growth, resulting in a promotion from senior graphic designer to art director in March 2016.

  • Developed high value brand assets to shape the company’s culture, creating a vision of the brand’s evolution.

  • Led the development of creative & strategic briefs, aligning teams to meet brand and business goals.

  • Trained and oversaw the success of graphic designers and freelance creatives, ensuring projects were completed on time and on budget.

  • Trusted to perform quality assurance audits for work across numerous business units, creating a cohesive brand across all touchpoints.

  • Led multi-million dollar NFL experience from concept to completion for commissioner’s annual party during Super Bowl week.

Art Director
Agent 16 | New York, NY
January 2006 - January 2009

Oversaw the development of creative for marketing campaigns and mentored junior and senior designers.

  • Co-led and won Atari RFP, increasing revenue for the agency.

  • Trusted to lead brand identity projects for fortune 500 brands.

  • Produced high value content for the client's global website.

Art Director
JMG | New York, NY
September 2003 - January 2005

Led startup’s design department and oversaw multimillion dollar projects for New York City’s infrastructure.

  • Led production of client assets and oversaw creative operations for Fortune 500 companies.

Freelance Creative Director
Treehouse Shakers | New York, NY
2002 – Present

Leads creative vision and direction for a nonprofit theater.

  • Developed a brand identity and style guide, empowering owners and stakeholders to develop nationwide programming.

  • Oversees creative direction for marketing assets, developing digital and print collateral that resonates with target audiences.

EDUCATION

Noble Desktop Certificate, Web Design | 2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design | F.I.T. | 2003
Associate of Applied Science, Advertising Design | F.I.T. | 1999
Associate of Applied Science, Menswear Design | F.I.T. | 1997

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Thrive Employee Resource Group |GMR Marketing | 2022
Blacklight Employee Resource Group | GMR Marketing| 2022
Art Directors’ Guild | GMR Marketing| 2022
Graphic Design Professionals | LinkedIn | 2018

AWARDS & HONORS

Black History Month Spotlight
GMR Marketing | 2022

Recipient of Sports Media 2013 Marketing Awards
League’s Governing Bodies Best Logo Design, Pittsburgh Steelers 50th Anniversary Logo

Design Award
RIDE Snowboards |2008

Guest Speaker & Critic
Fashion Institute of Technology Communication Design Department Guest Graduate Speaker & Critic | 2002 – 2019