Arthur Oxborough / 612.226.9528 oxborough.art@gmail.com / arthuroxborough.com
I am a strategic design thinker, with a passion for telling stories and connecting with people through shared experiences.
Relevant Experiences 2015 - 2016
Otabo / Marketing Strategist
• Researched, pitched, planned and implemented marketing strategy for Otabo including social, digital, email, blog PPC and SEO - Focus content on Otabo’s manufacturing capabilities - Communicate Otabo’s intangible assets as competitive advantage including range of manufacturing expertise, design sense, ethics - Overcome hurdle of “Made in China” - Humanize Chinese manufacturing by focusing photography on people doing work - Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data and presented to executive team - Pitched and presented branding strategies for secondary brands Otabo Collection, Frank Lee Co., Borderland & Co. - Redesigned shoe labeling and shoebox labeling (Adobe Illustrator) • Created / coordinated content for web and social, managed website re-design and ongoing improvements for otabo.com - Photography (Photoshop, VSCO), Products for Startup Shop (Adobe Suite), - Grew followings to ~800 (instagram), ~1,000 (facebook), 1,500 (mailchimp) - Increased incoming trade leads by 20% (B2B) and Startup Shop sales by 100% (B2C) - Improved quality of new leads / attracted more promising startups by better communicating brand assets
2013 - 2015 Askov Finlayson / General Manager
• Participated in marketing research for Askov Finlayson as a brand and retail space - Synthesized customer insights from surveys and focus groups. - Created plans to integrate themes and other research into in-store experience including store design, customer service training - Assisted buyer in seasonal apparel and accessory trend reports to present to executive team - Presented seasonal merchandising trend reports and synthesized into recommendations for floor sets - Participated in development of core shopper themes (Urban Outdoorsman, Creative Executive, Menswear Enthusiast) • Managed in-store and e-commerce operations (visuals, merchandise planning, staffing and training) - Communicated brand story and defined customer experience standards - Coordinated a cohesive experience between digital and physical spaces by anticipating customer journey - Monitored and reported on in-store sales performance to determine merchandising and marketing needs - Assisted in ideation and execution of social and web content creation - Planned in-store marketing including signage, promotions, event planning and featured products - Increased sales by 50% from 2012 to 2013. Increased average basket by 15% in 2014. - Grew sales of Askov Finlayson private label brand to 20% of gross sales in 2015
2013 - 2015
2012 - 2013
Fall 2011
Venadar / Market Research Consultant
• Conducted research on emerging brands that are ready to be scaled, to derive insights for Venadar’s entrepreneurial network • Created concise powerpoint decks to communicate pertinent information for potential investors from a variety of industries • Offered qualitative feedback on branding in addition to quantitative information on product mix and market share
“Food and Design” / Research Assistant • • • • • •
Qualitative, ethnographic study to discover similarities between chefs and product designers Planned and recorded interviews with chefs Transcribed and themed findings, highlighting trends, commonalities and key insights Presented findings to professor / lead researcher (Barry Kudrowitz), assisted in synthesizing findings based on product design methods Published paper was presented at the 2014 Design Research Society conference in Umea, Sweden Funding for this project was awarded to me by the University Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at the University of Minnesota
Urban Outfitters / Display Artist Intern / Mall of America
• Implemented a strong visual story for an inspired shopping experience in a 10,000 square foot space • Created shopable merchandise displays consistent with Urban Outfitters brand image and seasonal corporate prototypes
Education 2010 - 2013
University of Minnesota : Twin Cities / College of Design Bachelor of Science in Retail Merchandising (Apparel Emphasis) / Design Minor (Product Emphasis) / GPA: 3.7
Awards and Achievements Spring 2014 Esquire’s 11 Best Men’s Stores in America : Askov Finlayson
Selected by Esquire Magazine fashion editors based on the following areas under my leadership: creative merchandising, outstanding product knowledge, exceptional service
Spring 2014 Twin Cities Finest: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
One of 20 individuals nominated by respective industry peers Organized, planned and executed two events to raise over $5,000 for the foundation
2012 - 2013 2012 - 2013
College of Design “Outstanding Undergraduate Student” Award Winner
Nominated by four faculty members One student winner each year, first ever Retail Merchandising major to receive award
Robert J and Barbara P. Odegard Scholarship in Design : “Food and Design” Awarded for #1 UROP proposal of inter-disciplinary research as determined by the College of Design and the UROP committee
Relevant Skills: Adobe Suite / Brand Management / Digital Strategy / Google Analytics / AdWords / Social / Merchandising / E-Commerce / Relationship Building