Michael Charles Basler
(612) 724-2421
Minneapolis, MN 55407 michaelbasler@hotmail.com
www.michaelbasler.net
Talented Design & Marketing Manager with strong design and creative flair
Summary
Expertise in directing wide range of business development functions, including special event planning, marketing, publishing, product development, and public relations programs. Proven ability to lead new product lines from creative inception to final launch. Exceptional design and event management experience. Background in event planning, visual merchandising, and publishing industries. Consistent record of facilitating revenue growth, completing projects on schedule, maximizing cost control, and coordinating effective teams. Excellent presentation, project management, public relations, and communications skills.
Professional Experience
Richfield Flowers & Events, Richfield, MN 2004 – Present
Event Designer
· Oversee and carry out creation of theme-oriented decorations for corporate events, weddings, and other functions ranging from 100 to 1,000+ guests. Direct delivery and set up as needed.
· Perform design and resource management. Create floral designs. Place orders for custom supplies and materials. Lead Person for set design. Communicate with clients and event planners.
· Supervise four to five persons per project, with up to 12 projects occurring simultaneously.
· Improved business by re-designing showroom space and creating visual merchandise display.
· Represent company at trade shows. Perform booth space design and set up.
· Manage company’s 70,000-image digital library. Build samples for clients, prepare photographs, and deliver photos/samples to clients for management and sales team.
· Managed email accounts for sales group and management team.
· Provide assistance with product development, set construction, and warehouse functions.
· Recognized with “Best Couture Display” award by Twin Cities Bridal Association.
· Facilitated company earning ‘Florist of the Year’ in 2006 by Minnesota Bride Magazine.
Storeworks Incorporated, Eden Prairie, MN 2001 – 2003
Creative Director / New Product Development
· Directed buying, sourcing, manufacturing, and photography of visual merchandising-related products for clients such as Neiman Marcus, Marshall Field’s, Dillards, Polo, and more.
· Led global projects for commercial and military clients. Managed budgets, purchasing, product construction, packaging, and shipping while maintaining adherence to deadlines.
· Coordinated product and marketing collateral preparation for trade shows and exhibitions.
· Administered individual project budgets ranging from $40,000 to $2 million.
· Reduced costs by identifying alternate vendors and performing bulk ordering.
· Increased purchasing efficiency by establishing and maintaining sourcing directory.
· Prepared samples to meet client needs and then arranged for bulk production.
Michael Charles Ltd., Minneapolis, MN 1998 – 2001
Owner / Designer
· Provided color analyses, faux finishing, holiday décor, window treatments, and lighting solutions.
· Increased sales for clients by performing effective visual merchandising in retail spaces.
Michael Charles Basler Page 2
Creative Publishing Int’l (formerly Cowles Creative Publishing), Minnetonka, MN 1992 – 1998
Director of Public Relations (1996-1998)
· Established Public Relations department. Developed all policies and procedures.
· Managed corporate image and identity through two name changes.
· Produced corporate identity videos, implemented news clip file management, and coordinated company’s presence and product placement at trade shows and conventions.
· Oversaw all publicity for book publications in seven major subject areas.
· Increased promotion of book titles and company in general on television. Personally appeared on nationally-televised programs to promote book content.
· Tripled company’s name recognition in only two years.
· Supervised one assistant and administered $150,000 annual budget.
Creative Director / New Product Development Manager (1995-1996)
· Directed company’s migration from direct-market format to retail and custom publishing format.
· Acquired titles and coordinated overall publication process. Supervised creative activities, budgets, schedules, and release dates for branded titles and new publications.
· Managed custom publishing with large magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Outdoor Life.
· Worked with manufacturing companies to create new book lines.
· Played major role in saving company 20% in publishing costs. As member of Product Development and Publication Task Force, identified new processes and developed process improvements that reduced time-to-market from 12 months to nine months.
· Identified new industry trends and used as basis for successful new product offerings.
· Represented company at trade shows and promoted book lines to distributors.
Design / Research Editor (1992-1995)
· Created original content for over 36 titles in home decorating book line, including first-ever all water-based faux painting book.
· Managed budgets, technical photo styling, art direction, and trend direction. Implemented process improvements. Created new packaging and publishing concepts for corporate clients.
· Led development of books that produced $9 million for company in three years.
· Delivered Book of the Year in 1996, as rated by Profitable Craft Merchandiser Magazine.
Gabbert’s, Edina, MN 1990 – 1992
Visual Merchandising Designer
· Created displays of furniture, lighting, fine art, and accessories. Worked closely with designers and clients to create custom accessory plans and holiday displays for clients.
· Prepared and presented seminars and classes as part of series of lectures.
Additional experience
Gallery Designer, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN 1992 – 2003
Symphony Ball Designer, Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Minneapolis, MN 1992 – 1995
EDUCATION & Training
· Associate Degree Program: Marketing, Waukesha County Technical College, Waukesha, WI (1989)
· Apparel Technology Program: Minneapolis Community & Technical College, (currently)
Computer Skills
