About Me

Hello there! I'm Scott Ray, a passionate and versatile creative professional with a proven track record in graphic design, user experience, creative direction, marketing, and more.

My expertise extends beyond the conventional. Whether it's crafting compelling copy, managing projects, or staying ahead of design trends, I bring a holistic approach to every project. Creatively I enjoy concept to market initiatives, whether that be as a service or product. For over 15 years I've had the opportunity to work on a variety projects large and small. I take an entrepreneurial approach with not only managing projects, but also with the teams I manage. I believe in empowering people, giving guidance, and allowing team members to flourish professionally and personally.

Creative leader with 15+ years of experience in design, branding, and digital marketing. Proven track record of building and leading high performing creative teams, driving UX/UI innovation, and delivering measurable results across both B2B and B2C channels. Recognized for combining strategic vision with hands on expertise to foster collaboration, fuel growth, and achieve impactful outcomes.

Extensive knowledge in multiple software applications as well as a variety of skill sets that are used on a regular basis.

Paragon Star – Creative Marketing Director - Oct 2023 – Present

​Oversee all aspects of marketing and communications, including public relations, website management, email marketing, social media, digital advertising, and brand messaging. Directed the complete redesign and relaunch of paragonstar.com, significantly improving user experience, site navigation, and overall engagement. Develop and execute integrated marketing strategies that drive awareness, community engagement, and event participation across youth sports, tournaments, and corporate partnerships. Manage content creation, advertising campaigns, and email communications for a subscriber base of more than 6000, ensuring a consistent brand voice and a focus on measurable ROI. Collaborate cross-functionally with leadership, event staff, and external vendors to align marketing initiatives with broader business objectives.

Creative/ Marketing Director - Legacy Touch. May 2018 - Oct 2023

​During my time at Legacy Touch, I managed the creative marketing team that supports B2B marketing and support to 6400 funeral home locations, as well as B2C marketing efforts to over 300K customers.

Responsibilities include overseeing and setting the direction and tone for all marketing collateral. This includes product and lifestyle photography, digital creative as it relates to legacytouch.com, email, social media applications, UX/ UI initiatives, as well as all forms of print communications - brochures, catalog, direct mail, PR and more. Other responsibilities include setting the promotional campaign strategy, timelines, and budgets related to various marketing campaigns.

Major Achievements:
• Oversaw complete overhaul of new e-commerce website over to Shopify platform and implemented SEO strategy resulting in a 7X estimated value than nearest competitor.

• Implemented year over year reporting structure to track campaign results.

• Increased paid social conversion amount by 129% and total purchases by 42.8% from 2020.

• Grew revenue from email marketing efforts by 63% from 2020. Increased subscriber base from 20K to over 200K subscribers.

• Helped increase partners by over 2400 locations in 4 years as well as double customer base.

Creative Director - Helzberg Diamonds. Jan 2013 - May 2018

​While working at Helzberg, I managed the creative design team that made up print and digital design, copywriting, photography, asset management, UX design as well as production & traffic management.

Responsibilities included overseeing all forms of visual communications, user experience, creative processes and brand strategies. This involved meeting with stakeholders and upper management to discuss campaign strategies, solutions and budgetary constraints. I also worked with various agency partners to ensure creative consistency and implementation across all channels – digital, social, print and PR.

Major Achievements:
• Initiated and oversaw responsive website re-design resulting in better SEO practice, up to date interface, interaction and a best in class CSAT scores among competitors (80 overall, 85 for mobile users).

• Site awarded the Ken Burke Award of Excellence - Honors the single site whose strong performance and deployment of best practices set it apart from the rest.

• Led Helzberg team on the We Propose You Propose campaign that garnered 186 million total campaign impressions. Recognition - a Digiday Content Marketing Award finalist, 3X Communicator award and SMCKC award.

SR Web/ Lead Designer - Sprint Nextel Corp. Jan 2007 - Dec 2012

​Designed and managed a variety of projects ranging from device launch imagery, banner ads, landing pages and micro-sites as well as provide online design standards for agency and third party vendors.

Major Achievements:
• Led all design efforts on the iPhone 4 and 4s landing page, strategic ad placements, as well as device launch resulting in best ever sales for Sprint.com.

• Led creative strategy and implementation on 4G EVO holiday marketing campaign that resulted in the 2nd best ever online sales for Sprint.com.

• Responsible for creating the primary imagery (across multiple channels) for the Sprint Buyback program – Sprint’s award-winning buyback program – Compass Intelligence.

• Awarded the Sprint Excellence award on multiple accounts and was nominated for the Circle of Excellence – Sprint’s highest honor.

American Intercontinental University
​BFA - Visual Communications/Digital Design
MBA - Operations Management

​Central Missouri State University
Major - Studio Art 1992-1994