Maureen Urness 16005 Cody St. Overland Park, KS. 66221 Cell: 785-766-1434 maureenurness@gmail.com

Experienced Editorial Strategist Dynamic editorial professional with expertise in bringing high-level marketing and

creative strategies to life in best-selling consumer products. Creative leader recognized for cultivating talent and working collaboratively across teams, business functions, and levels. Recognized for intuitive approach in creating winning, funny products that

increase revenue and drive results.

Professional Experience Creative Strategist, Hallmark Gift Solutions, 2014-2015

Partnered with Art Director and cross-functional marketing team to formulate high-level editorial and design strategies and identify target consumers for new 3-dimensional gift product offerings.

Directed writers and artists in creating content and expanding upon the strategies

and product stories for “Here’s to Girlfriends”, Shoebox, Humor Novelty, and Baby gifts. Granted creative approvals prior to production.

The offering “Here’s to Girlfriends” was lauded by top management for highest sales in Hallmark Gifts division, referred to as “A giant in product sales.”

Editorial Director, Hallmark Everyday Greetings, 2012-2014

Directed editorial strategy for the largest Birthday Greetings division at Hallmark,

earning over $300mm in annual sales.

Formulated high-level editorial strategies for a rapidly changing consumer target, led writing projects with up to 20-25 writers to deliver against these strategies

with artistry and emotion.

Partnered with Art Director to guide designers toward creating the very best

product solutions. Approved editorial and design content from in-house and freelance staff prior to production.

Met tight production deadlines in a challenging environment with 100% accuracy.

Collaborated with marketing partners on product mix, translated marketing strategies and large cultural trends into creative direction.

Editorial Director, Hallmark Humor/Shoebox, 2003-2012

2 Maureen (Gowen) Urness Resumé

Led team of Hallmark humor writers in creating new content for high-level strategies, curating, leveraging, and editing existing creative content.

Featured on CBS Evening News as Hallmark Humor expert showcasing new

product and writing for Father’s Day. Also featured in Ink magazine and national Reuters news story about “Rejected Hallmark Cards.”

Collaborated with Art Director in producing product with original Hallmark-owned content and creating content for licensed properties such as The Simpsons,

Peanuts, and Disney.

Partnered with Art Director, writers, artists, and technical functions creating

product in a variety of different genres – both two-dimensional product and product enhanced with sound, light, or motion.

Teamed with business and marketing partners to translate marketing strategy

into product mix and creative direction.

Directed script writing, casting, and recording sessions for product with sound –

music, jokes, sound effects.

Created Humor sound products which were top sales performers in every

season. One Mothers’ Day sound card, titled “Joyride” was the best-selling Mother’s Day card at Hallmark from 2008-2011.

Editor, Hallmark Humor, 2000-2003

Wrote individual product-level strategies, led writing projects, wrote new content, leveraged existing humor writing, and brainstormed and collaborated with artists to create new humor product.

Created new humor product card lines for Christmas, Mothers’ Day, Easter,

Halloween, and St. Patrick’s Day, for a wide variety of recipients and relationships.

Editor, Hallmark Business Expressions, 1999-2000

Led creative teams and brought brand strategies to life in products for Hallmark

Business Expressions.

Created custom direct-mail pieces for holidays and incentive programs for clients

such as State Farm, Hoechst Marion Roussel, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and Aid Association for Lutherans.

Partnered with Art Director and marketing to deliver strong, brand-right product solutions for each client.

Education Bachelor of Arts, Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas