Ross Dantonio
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / CMO · Smith Co. Distributing
Galena, OH
In My Own Words
More than a designer rather a business driver, purposeful creative, serious results & easy on the ego.
ROSS DANTONIO - A dynamic Creative Director and Chief Marketing Officer with over 20 years of experience delivering compelling brand strategies, marketing campaigns and eyecatching design, photography, and videography deliverables within action sports, motorsports, outdoor lifestyle, convenience and travel center industries.
Adept at both B2B and D2C customer segments, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, budget management, and leading cross-functional teams.
Known for a strong leadership style rooted in accountability, meticulous attention to detail, and a balance of creativity and data-driven decision-making.
I have not done a full build of my Malakye profile... For a deeper dive into who I am, my work and portfolio, please visit www.RossDantonio.com.
Work Experience
Creative Director / Chief Marketing Officer
Smith Co. Distributing2020 – Present
Lead creative development, marketing and sales strategies for 40+ award winning new brands and licensed product lines.
Manage domestic and international teams across branding, product development, content creation, sales, and marketing activations.
Oversee trademark research and submissions, product launch processes, tradeshow presentation, and all creative deliverables to ensure accuracy, quality, and timeliness.
Direct budget management and ROI-focused campaigns with strict accountability for spend and deadlines.
Collaborate with licensed partners including but not limited to Blind Frog Ranch, Busch Light, Disney, Evil Coffee, High Times, Hormel Foods, KOA Campgrounds, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, NFL, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Tootsie Roll, Wawa, and Zoltar.
Brand / Digital Marketing Manager
O'Brien Watersports2013 – 2020
Designed and produced brand marketing content including photography, videography, and graphic design.
Supported product development, athlete management, trade show layouts, and marketing activations across print, digital, and events.
Coordinated annual photoshoots from concept through final edits, driving consistent brand storytelling.
Worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to manage product recall communications and compliance.
Owner / Creative Director
Have Fun Media2004 – 2013
Delivered end-to-end creative services: graphic design, photography, videography, marketing consulting, social media, email campaigns, and web development.
Independently managed client relations, budgets, project research, content curation, production, and post-production processes.
Built a diverse client portfolio primarily focused on action sports and lifestyle brands.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bowling Green State University2004 – 2010
President - BGSU Waterski Team
Simultaneously competed in the AMA Grand National Championship motocross series while garnishing support from multiple manufacturers through my career
