Damien Rockne
Product Development Manager · Hard Rock International
Harmony, FL
In My Own Words
Accomplished Art Director / Product Developer and Category Manager with a proven track record that exceeds industry standards. Over 20 years of experience and recognized within the industry for utilizing innovative, artistic, and technical abilities to aid in all aspects of design and development that have led to multi-million-dollar activations in the retail space. Key focus on brand development, softlines, headwear and creative direction for high volume retail and entertainment industries throughout the US with global distribution. Excellent rapport with vertical global factory partners to help ensure key trends stay relevant in the retail space with high sell-through to market while maintaining excellent cost of goods for all items produced. Creative lead with years of excellent relationships designing for and leading local advertising agencies to help expand their portfolio presence, client exposure and engagement. Full understanding of omni-channel business practices and direct to consumer products as each company I have worked for has sold in both market spaces. During this career I have had the opportunity to work with such companies as: Hard Rock International, Disney, Ford Motor Company, Universal Studios, Margaritaville, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Football Fanatics and over 100 of their collegiate licenses as well as many of the nation’s leading resort markets and design agencies.
Work Experience
Product Development Manager
Hard Rock International2022 – Present
• Product Development / Category Manager for Men’s Apparel and Headwear with 70 Corporate Locations and over 200 Franchise locations globally. • Fostered key relationships with vendor partners to maximize product offering and increase sales within budget. • Created trend forecasts to optimize performance and sell through. • Provided cross category departments with strategic vision and direction in design, marketing, photography, in-store signage and visual merchandise assortment plans. • Launched promotional campaigns and PWP items for key activations in top performing locations. • Maintained efficient inventory levels and built exit strategies for items that were low performers and moved to marked for withdraw. • Captured new customers by launching newness across managed categories on a timely manner during peak seasons. • Surpassed sales goals for Men’s Apparel and Headwear globally resulting in over 60% of a $400 million dollar merchandise assortment.
Vice President of Creative
Entertainment Retail Enterprises2021 – 2022
• Creative lead for team of 5 in-house creatives. • Facilitated all aspects of design and overall product creation cycles from concept to physical product produced. • Increased overall production rate of internal art department by 25% within the first year by implementing new artistic strategies, workflow practices and file management systems. • Sourced and on-boarded new fully vertical, global factory partners to produce new soft-lines and hardline products with better overall quality, cost of goods and turn times. • Maintained timeline and budget guidelines for daily operations and projects. Key Clients Included: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, LEGENDARY WHITETAILS, DISNEY, MARS CANDY CORPORATION, KRISPY KREME and CATERPILLAR.
Art Director - Product Development Manager
RAG Apparel Inc.2017 – 2021
• Art Director for privately owned company with global distribution. • Oversaw product design and coordinated all aspects of development and rollout of products. • Conceptualized and strategically designed according to market data and research. • Met strict deadlines and product deliverables while orchestrating well-designed flow and pricing structures. • Vendor and sales manager for national sales representative team and global manufacturing partners. Key Clients Included: HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL, MARGARITAVILLE, RON JON SURF SHOP, SALVAGE SUPPLY COMPANY (Buckle Stores) and RAG APPAREL resort brand.
Product Development Manager
Hard Rock International2016 – 2017
• Directed concept designs, feature definitions and production support. • Reviewed and managed product development budgets, expenditures and research. • Oversaw development of all Men’s Apparel and Headwear for Cafes, Resorts, Hotels and Casinos globally. • Approved final photography and marketing materials for each product produced under my management. • Maintained internal product knowledge databases. • Built and strengthened strategic relationships with vendors, advertising agencies and internal team members. • Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching product to diversify offerings.
Freelance
Disney Design Group - Disney Consumer Products2013 – 2016
• Contributed to the creative process through original ideas and inspiration for apparel, accessories, headwear, technical products and marketing materials across all Disney Consumer Product channels. • Leveraged market trends in consumer industries to create effective artwork and product that appealed to target audiences for the Disney consumer base. • Collaborated with Art Directors to implement artist vision for other artists. • Researched industry trends and evaluated competitive product. • Lead design for tech packs to ensure the accuracy of each product and sample approval coordinator for all vendor partners.
Art Director - Senior Apparel Designer
Topline Screen Printing and Embroidery2004 – 2012
• Art Director and senior apparel designer for nationally recognized screen-printing facility. • Managed a team of over 8 creatives / separation artists and freelancers. • Sketched artistic and fresh designs for consideration. • Worked with technical design and product management to provide accurate and complete design packages. • Clearly communicated design revisions to members of the design team. • Developed seasonal merchandise assortment to improve category health and breadth. • Supervised design team through product creation and release. • Communicated with photographers and stylists to effectively showcase all collegiate and entertainment brands. Key Clients Included: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, PLANET HOLLYWOOD, MARGARITAVILLE, DISNEY and over 100 Colleges through the Collegiate Licensing Committee.