Aaron Furfaro

209-52 St. Lawrence Street Toronto, ON M5A 3N1

aaronfurfaro@rogers.com 647.261.9684

A strategic, results-oriented marketing and design specialist with strong graphic design, writing, editing and verbal communications skills. A respected leader with proven expertise designing and executing communications programs that engage audiences and deliver results. A creative thinker who is able to assess the big picture and translate complex ideas into compelling messages. A team player, with a positive attitude and the ability to develop positive working relationships across an organization and with external stakeholders.

Skills
Technical Graphic design software
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat

Social Media Planning

Research, policies & guidelines, messaging

Events Coordination
Venue selection and contracting, catering

Interior Design Residential design

Plans and drawings, furniture & accessories

MS Office Applications
Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Sharepoint, Publisher

Implementation
Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, G+

Communications
Speaking notes, invitations, presentations

Client relations
Correspondence, contracts, mediation

Websites
HTML, Dreamweaver, Wordpress, Analytics

Evaluation
KPI development, monitoring, reporting

Design
Furniture, layout, signage, music, swag

Project management
Coordinating trades, managing budets

Professional Experience
Communications Advisor @ Public Health Ontario January 2013 Present Managed the promotion of major research publications through strategic communications planning and stakeholder engagement. These activities ensured that the organizations research reached its target audience, with the aim of enabling evidence-based decision making in Ontarios public health system. Managed the production of major research publications by providing graphic design, copy editing, and proofreading services and by coordinating these services from vendors for larger or more complex publications. Created complementary products to increase awareness and application of research, including: website content, infographics, interactive tools, web apps, summaries, backgrounders, fact sheets, media releases, and social media messaging. Developed corporate visual identity standards, guidelines, and a supporting policy to ensure that all products met the organizations high standard for quality. Managed all social media activities at the organizations flagship event, The Ontario Public Health Convention, increasing engagement by ~800% over the previous year. Senior Communications Officer @ The Ontario Health Study November 2009 January 2013 Supervised a team of six experienced communications, marketing, and public relations professionals, including their hiring, development and mentorship, work plans, and performance management. Designed and managed the implementation of major recruitment initiatives to the Study, including highly successful incentive programs, working with all aspects of science, operations, privacy, ethics and informatics. These initiatives resulted in the recruitment of 225,000 Ontarians to the Study. Responsible for the Studys visual identity, including rebranding and brand evolution while enforcing standards. Responsible for all advertising activities, including buying, graphic design, market research, and coordinated timing with large-scale direct mail initiatives across many markets. Designed, developed, tested, and rolled out websites, graphical user interfaces, interactive tools, and online marketing materials and evaluated their efficacy on an ongoing basis.

Managed all forms of participant contact, including call centre scripting, training, and quality control, and streamlining of email correspondence through the development of a rule-based scheduling system which enabled the use of personalized communications. Managed all aspects of the Studys social media strategy and implementation, including training and development, message development, planning, tracking, blogger outreach, and data visualization. Coordinated media relations activities, including pitching, arranging interviews, and developing messages and briefs to generate local, industry-specific, and major media coverage. Developed strategies for risk and crisis management, including privacy breaches, reputational risks, and highly escalated participant service issues. Responsible for management of the Communications budget, often requiring complex projections for variablecost programs while successfully reducing variance. August 2008 Present

Owner/Designer @ Free My Interior

Managed various large and small-scale interior design projects from concept to completion while ensuring client satisfaction, meeting strict deadlines, and adhering to initial budget estimates. This often involved coordinating the work of various trades with complex and interdependent scheduling requirements. Created and maintained all communications materials and acted as web designer/webmaster and graphic designer. Managed a retail store, including bookkeeping, maintaining stock levels, sourcing and procuring inventory, and providing front-line customer service. Also responsible for the research, design, development, and manufacturing of custom and wholesale products. Acted as a spokesperson and generated media coverage through active pitching and engagement.

Academic Administrative Assistant @ The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine August 2005 June 2009 Coordinated the implementation of rigorous four-year academic program to over 400 students, including the marking of exams, calculation and distribution of grades, and other confidential and high-level administrative tasks. Managed the successful implementation of the colleges online learning interface (E-College) working with several departments to ensure that all staff were trained, that necessary information was made available in a timely manner, and that its appearance was in line with corporate brand guidelines. Increased attendance by up to 300 per cent for several college-sponsored lecture series through creative marketing.

Education
Interior Decorating Certificate George Brown College 2006

Speaking engagements
Social Media as a Tool for Public Health The Ontario Public Health Convention Social Media: The Importance of Community Building Toronto Public Healths Healthy Families Annual Meeting Online Recruitment & Social Media Association of Public Health Epidemiologists of Ontario April 1, 2013 October 5, 2012 April 5, 2012

References and portfolio available upon request