Emily Russo

About Emily Russo

I’m a creative leader who loves turning big ideas into work that actually moves people — and moves the needle. From brand campaigns to content strategy, I’ve led teams that bring bold thinking to life across digital, print, social, and beyond. I have partnered with iconic brands such as the NFL, MLB, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Blue Buffalo, General Mills, PetSmart, NADAQ, US Open, Merrill Lynch, and MasterCard.I’m passionate about thoughtful design, clear direction, and creating space for great creatives to do their best work. I bring calm, clarity, and collaboration to every project — always focused on work that connects, performs, and inspires.Outside the creative world, I’m a hippie at heart with a penchant for peach iced tea and long walks with my scruffy dog Otis and my husband Max. I’m also a big believer in creative mentorship and always happy to connect with rising talent looking for guidance or perspective.

Experience

1. Managing Senior Art Director - Blue Buffalo

   Blue Buffalo

   Apr 2019 — Present · Wilton, CT, US

   OMNI Shopper Marketing Creative Lead. Co-manages a 40+ person creative department including vetting and overseeing freelancers. Art directs and manages quarterly campaigns from concepts to photo/video shoots and finalizing assets and style guides with the Brand Experience team. Manages retailer needs with the Omni Shopper Marketing team for Target, Walmart, BJs, Kroger and Amazon. As well as partnership with pet specialty brands Chewy, Petco and PetSmart. Works with traffic/project coordinators to create and manage team workflow. Oversees design to maintain brand consistency across all designers, art directors, production companies and agencies.

Education

• The Connecticut Institute of Art

  Commercial Art, Graphic Design & Commercial Art

  1998 — 2000

• Westhill High School

  High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

  1994 — 1998

Skills

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Brochures
• Image Manipulation
• Collateral
• Concept Development
• Email Marketing
• Corporate Identity
• Photoshop
• Art Direction
• Marketing
• Packaging
• Typography
• Visual Communication
• Print Collateral
• Layout
• Advertising
• Adobe Acrobat
• Creative Direction
• Vector Illustration
• Print Production
• Indesign
• Illustrator
• Direct Mail
• Business Cards
• Art
• Social Media
• Illustration
• Invitations
• Graphics
• Keynote
• Adobe Photoshop
• Photo Editing
• Logo Design
• Retouching
• Graphic Design
• Image Editing
• Photography
• Brand Development
• Digital Photography