I work with organizations to develop effective strategies, motivating ideas and impact through human-centered design thinking. I mentor and inspire new generations of creatives and communicators to think critically, solve complex problems and drive change as an educator.
I am interested in people, what influences them and how they shape their perceptions, beliefs and choices. For 26 years I have worked with organizations in Canada and USA in marketing, public relations and digital communications. I have embraced complex challenges and introduced creative innovation and transformational thinking that has resulted in client program performance and success.
I am an award-winning, disciplined, dual hemisphere thinker. I love complex challenges, continual learning and strategic and creative processes.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scressman/
Education
Visual Communications Diploma (with distinction), Alberta College of Art + Design, 1989 – 1992
Petroleum Technology – Production Major, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, 1981 – 1983
Selected Professional Activity
Professional
Director, Integrated Strategy, V Strategies Inc. 2013 –Mentor, Digital Experience, Ellen Parker Public Relations 2014 – 2017
Brand, Strategy and Content Marketing Advisor, Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund 2016 – 2017
Sessional Instructor, Public Relations, Mount Royal University 2003 – 2017
Director of Strategy and Digital Development, Park Digital 2013 – 2015
Creative Director, University of Calgary 2012 – 2013
Director, Strategic Communications, LPi Communications Group 2009 – 2012
National Director – Digital Communications, National Public Relation 2008 – 2009
Creative Director, Canadian Centre for Energy Information 2003 – 2007
Creative Director, NATIONAL Public Relations and Cohn & Wolfe Canada 2002 – 2007
Director, Product Design, Getty Images 2000 – 2002
Creative Director, EyeWire Inc. 1999 – 2000
Art Director, Adobe 1997 – 1999
Art Director, Image Club Graphics 1996 – 1997
Art Director, Digital Explorer Media Inc.1996
Art Director, Western International Communications (WIC - now Shaw Media) 1992 – 1996
Teaching
Graphic Design Stream Lead and Lecturer, Alberta College of Art + Design, Calgary 2015 - 2016
Sessional Instructor – Web and Social Mediated Communications, Centre for Communications Studies, Mount Royal University, Calgary 2003 – 2017
Sessional Instructor – Visual Communications, Alberta College of Art + Design, Calgary 1997 – 2001
Selected Publications
Public Speaking and Workshops
Speaker: International Association of Design Research Societies (IADRS): Presentation of research paper: Applying Design Thinking for Business Model Innovation for Nonprofit Organizations, Cincinnati 2017
CICan Conference: Speaker: How Design Thinking Succeeds, Ottawa 2017
Bell Media: Speaker: The Power of Visual Communications, Bell Centre, Calgary, 2017
Speaker: ATB Business Innovators Series, 2017
Speaker: Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD): Case Study on Public Design, Sarasota, 2017
Guest Lecturer: Bissett School of Business, 2010 - present, Digital Research Tools for Marketers and Communicators, Calgary
Speaker: Investor Relations in the Energy Industry Web Workshop, Calgary, 2008
Speaker: The Canadian Institute, Investor Relations in the Digital Age, Calgary, 2006
Speaker: Maximizing the Power of Online Communications, National Public Relations and Burson Marstellar, Toronto, 2006
Speaker: Case Study: Canadian Centre for Energy Information AAEIC Conference, Calgary, 2004
Speaker: Home on the Web: New ways to approach your web site, Vancouver, 2004
International Association of Business Communicators, Calgary, 2004
Guest Speaker: Alberta College of Art and Design, 1998 – 2002
Speaker: Banff Centre For The Arts, 1997
Selected Awards
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Awards, District 8
- University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Publications Suite, 2015
- University of Calgary Master Identity Refresh, 2015
- University of Calgary The Greatest Outdoor Show ABOVE Earth, 2014
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
- Silver Leaf Award of Excellence Precision Drilling Recruitment Program, 2009
Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)
- Gold, Precision Drilling Recruitment Program, 2009
National Public Relations
- NATIONAL, Chairman’s Award 2007
- NATIONAL, Innovation Award 2007
- NATIONAL, Business Development and Management Achievement Award, 2004
Direct Marketing Association (DMA), Echo Awards 1998, 1999, 2000
CanPro Awards, Broadcast Promotion, 1994, 1996
Promax, Los Angeles – Gold, 1995
Promax/Broadcast Designers Association, New Orleans – Silver and bronze, 1994
Promax/Broadcast Designers Association, Washington D.C. – Silver, 1993
Alberta College of Art and Design – Board of Governors Award (academic achievement), 1992