my Experience

stephen c webster | cell 214 457 7541 | Stephen.webster53@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL CREATIVE

Vision driven leader with extensive experience in the global beauty brand industry. Spent early career as creative director in New York publishing business covering fashion, music, and entertainment. Creative storyteller devoted to providing clear direction, fresh inspiration, and a positive environment that is balanced with accountability. Versatile problem-solver, lifelong learner and collaborator excelling in diverse environments. Results-oriented leader known for building strong, cohesive teams through fostering trust and confidence. Relocated to New York, NY September 2023.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Global Brand Strategy & Design | Global Creative Agency Management | Product Visual Positioning & Packaging Design | Omni-Channel Campaign Creative | Digital, Print & Outdoor Advertising | Photography Creative Direction | E-commerce & UX/UI Design | Consumer Messaging | Social Media Strategy | Video & Broadcast | Brand Training Expert For International Markets | Creative Operations

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Led a global re-brand and modernization of billion+ dollar global beauty brand from the “inside out.”

• Established a full-service global creative agency from the ground up – today comprised of 60+ professionals.

• Created Suite 13, an award-winning immersive 3D virtual flagship store which was launched in 15 countries and eight languages.

• Directed three large-scale beauty shoots in Brazil, China, and Russia in one year, discovering and mentoring local photographers, navigating logistical challenges, and ensuring a seamless production and resulting in culturally relevant brand images.

• Design directed and oversaw execution of inaugural China beauty centers, aligning global brand identity with local aesthetics.

• Played pioneering role in Grunge music movement, first Art Director to feature Nirvana on a national music publication – Spin Magazine.

• Won four Clio awards, six SPD awards and a DSA award.

• Art directed Fashion for Peace “super shoot” starring musicians, fashion designers, and artists including LL Cool J, Debbie Harry, Spike Lee, Kim Gordon, Sebastian Bach, Issac Mizrahi, Stephen Sprouse, and Francesco Clemente. In addition, art directed the SPIN/Saturday Night Live guest editor issue. Created and collaborated with show writers and performers including Adam Sandler, Dana Carvey, Julia Sweeney, Phil Hartman, and David Spade.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MARY KAY INC, Dallas, TX

Multi-billion-dollar multinational beauty brand with businesses in 35 countries, salesforce of 1M+ women, and 1K+ SKUs.

Vice President, Global Brand & Design & Business Operations (2014-2023)

Directed and inspired a full-service internal global creative agency with a staff of 60+ creatives, responsible for setting company vision and producing all global material for the MK brand. Touched every aspect of branding — from creative strategy, delivery of finished products and omni-channel toolkits, to the supervision of creative services such as finance, account management and global systems.

• Led and created the global brand-design strategy, ensuring the consumer experience is modern, confident, and authentic across all global touch points and channels— resulting in 81% global brand awareness, 39% product purchase. (Based on 2020 BRM survey)

• Managed and mentored creative teams within the agency such as: brand design, visual positioning, packaging design, creative content/writing, UI/UX design, account management, agency operations/finance, external agency management, video & motion, global systems such as D.A.M. and A.M.S.

• Achieved high-quality results through cross-functional teamwork and external partnerships to meet strategic goals. Simultaneously, optimized efficiency for on-time, on-brand, and on-budget delivery, reducing annual creative spend by 20% YoY (2020-2023)

• Ensured a cohesive image by setting enterprise-wide design standards for all channels, platforms, and customer touch-points

• Provided training to international market staff, enabling them to execute brand building initiatives tailored to their local requirements.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Suite 13 VR Digital Flagship Store: Achieved a $581K opening with an industry-high time spent on site of 5.5 minutes and an industry-low bounce rate of 1.7%, surpassing standard beauty site average of 46%.

• Clinical Solutions: Led visual positioning, packaging design and marketing creative for company’s first dermocosmetic product line selling $43M at launch in four markets alone.

• Digital Re-platform: Led branding and creative operations of two global re-platform initiatives to enhance consumer and consultant mobile and online digital experiences.

• Dream Beautiful Contest: Directed branding of APAC event attracting 100K+ participants from nine countries, collaborating with Hong Kong based artists and internationally recognized models Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova.

• Company Founder: Repositioned company founder from “kind-grandmother” to “iconic glass-ceiling breaker.”

Mary kay: 2008-2014

design director of global brand vision

Promoted to build Mary Kay’s first global creative agency, spearheading a company-wide brand overhaul that fueled year-over-year sales growth, culminating in $3.5B+ in global sales by 2013.

• Managed company-wide anniversary brand campaign for 50th Anniversary.

• Directed and delivered first-ever global brand standards guide – the Brand ID.

• Spearheaded packaging re-branding initiative of company skincare and color lines.

• Creative directed China’s first ever true Brand Awareness Campaign.

mary kay: 2003-2008

group creative director

Led a creative staff of 15 CDs, Sr. ADs, Packaging ADs, Video Producers, and Writers focused on producing all U.S. creative — from packaging & collateral, to websites, live-events, and videos.

• Redesigned company’s most profitable selling tool – The Lookbook (annual print run over 40M).

• Directed microdermabrasion launch – single product launch most profitable in company history to date.

• Headed MK’S first national TV sponsorship of CMA Awards.

mary kay: 1997-2003

senior art director &  creative director

• Directed and produced product launch marketing campaigns in all categories of the industry.

• Elevated and updated quality of the photography and design.

• Designed event logos, stage designs, expo booths, and event signage.

Cardinal publishing: creative director

• Modernized a group of fashion eyewear magazines.

• Managed a team of 2 AD's and 3 production artists.

• Led complete editorial overhaul on all 4 magazines.

• Conceived and created a new magazine — Frame Buyer.

spin magazine: art director

Elevated the iconic alternative music magazine SPIN through a complete editorial redesign, while retaining the raw energy of the alternative music scene. Gained new fashion advertisers after creating a new SPIN fashion section. Attracted top tier photographers such as Michael Tighe, Anton Corbin, the Douglas Brothers, Jesse Frohman, Greg Watermann, Danny Clinch, Renee Miville, and Guzman. Collaborated directly with film, fashion, and music artists such as Oliver Stone, Chris Cornell, Spike Lee, Isaac Mizrahi, L.L. Cool J, Perry Farrell, Chuck D & Flavor Flav, Debbie Harry, and Tony Bennett.