ORLANDO MADRAZO

Advertising Art Director

Orlando is a creative soul whose journey has taken him across numerous borders, both geographical and intellectual. His path from the picturesque landscapes of Cuba to the dynamic world of advertising was far from straightforward, granting him a unique perspective along the way. At the age of 16, Orlando began working as an elementary school teacher, a role he held for eight years. His commitment to education saw him attending college at night, where his hard work and determination earned him a degree in Social Communication. This paved the way for his career as a Strategic Account Manager in national media. His life took another dramatic turn when he embarked on a life-altering journey across numerous countries, from Havana, Cuba, through El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, ultimately arriving in the United States.

Fueled by an innate curiosity, Orlando has always sought to understand what drives the world forward. He has taught himself both design skills and a second language, showcasing his relentless self-motivation and passion for learning. For Orlando, creativity should be bold and unapologetic, melding the heart's passion with the intellect's precision. His love for dark humor, coupled with a quirky yet sharp demeanor, reflects his complex personality. "Don't judge a book by its cover" sums him up perfectly; his action-figure appearance belies a heart that's as soft as cotton candy.

What keeps Orlando awake at night is his quest to master new skills, specifically learning visual effects (VFX) and exploring how artificial intelligence can elevate advertising to new heights. This drive to innovate and excel in his craft ensures that Orlando is continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

  • Lead Account Manager. Maryville Academy. May 2019 – 2023

    • Recognized in March 2021 as Employee of the Year.

    • Served as the top bilingual account manager, formulating treatment plan strategies clients through extensive case management expertise.

    Account Manager. Southwest Key Programs. 2015 – 2019

    • Key liaison between the Division of Children’s Services and Office of Trafficking Persons - responsible for consulting 20 government leads and 50 clients around reporting and case management.

    • Managed tracking of 30 cases per month, resulting in providing a monthly summary of data trends and analysis.

    • Marketing Specialist. Cubavision International. 2011 – 2015

    • Manager for the graphic design department, supporting 50 clients with advertising and social media planning.

    • Designed marketing campaigns across 48 months, resulting in a 50% increase in brand engagement rates.

    Assistant Program Director. Cuba Department of Education. 2007 - 2010

    • Managed 40 employees across organization.

    • Oversaw system management, organizational leadership for a 300-member organization.

    Teacher. Cuba Department of Education. 2003 - 2007

    • Developed all lesson plans for 500 students, creating and implementing annual curriculum for underserved communities.

    • Monitored learning milestones per quarter, establishing quarterly KPIs per courses.

  • Bachelor of Arts in Advertising

    Concentration: Art Direction

    Columbia College Chicago, May 2025

    Bachelor of Arts

    Social Communication

    Concentration: Communication Management

    University of Havana, Cuba. 2011

    • Creative Problem-Solving in Design and Branding

    • Proficiency in Design Tools: Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator

    • Human-Centered and Culturally Responsive Design

    • Collaborative Work in Interdisciplinary Teams

    • Fast-Paced Project Management

    • Bilingual. Fluent in English & Spanish.