Michael Lager: VP Marketing Cocktail Courier
The “Creative Director” title doesn’t do justice the expertise and value Alan provides. He’s a wonderful team leader that knows when to provide his team guidance and training; yet also when to assign projects they can own to help in their development. Alan has a great eye for how to plan and execute production for all media formats, which included a new challenge of an interactive, live-stream studio.
His years of experience especially come to life when dealing with partners. He continuously looks to improve upon processes. One such example led to a reduction in reviews & reshoots by 50%. He also has a keen eye for understanding partners’ business needs and bringing them to life with storytelling. His storyboards, presentations, and participation in pitches are critical to landing large partnerships.
It’s also the little things that make him stand out, especially to a smaller organization. He’s not one to shy away from being scrappy. I’ve seen him take on photoshoots himself where he’s crawling on the ground trying to wrangle puppies for a shoot… camera in one hand, dog treats in the other, and a smile on his face the whole time. I’ve also seen him find cost-saving new solutions by onboarding new AI software that eliminated the need for hiring additional voice-over talent for :15s and :30s spots.
Alan really is a joy to work with and in addition to all of the creativity and work he delivers, he’s also the sharpest-dressed person in the building!
Barbara Freedman: Founder Freedman Films
My company and I worked for Alan when he was a head Creative Director at Flowers Communications Group, managing a large creative team. Under his direction and working closely together, we created 7 videos that turned out be one of my favorite projects of all time...both creatively and personally. I really appreciated that Alan was committed to creating authentic stories featuring real people and was always willing to go the extra mile to make sure his vision came to life. In addition to his creative abilities, I also appreciated that he is an extremely nice person and was great to work for, even when there was a lot of pressure to get the project done in a very limited amount of time.
Lucas Shapiro: Associate Producer/ Content Creator
As a former social media coordinator at Cocktail Courier, I had the pleasure of working under Alan and was constantly in awe of his exceptional creativity and innovative problem-solving skills. As a creative director, Alan brought a unique perspective to the table, inspiring the team to think beyond conventional boundaries and embrace new ideas.
Alan's open communication and collaborative approach resulted in some remarkable projects and fostered a positive, productive work environment where everyone felt valued and motivated to do their best work. His attention to detail, combined with his exceptional eye for creativity, made him a true veteran in the field.
Alan went above and beyond to ensure the team was on track, met deadlines, and remained in a positive mental state. He was a mentor in every sense of the word, offering guidance and support to help me reach my full potential.
I have no doubt that Alan will bring the same level of creativity, leadership, and dedication to any future endeavors. He is a true asset to any team and I highly recommend him for any creative director or leadership role.
Sarah Morreim: Corporate Events Photographer
A few years ago Alan hired my team to photograph custom stock images for Pathway to Living. Throughout the entire process, Alan clearly communicated his vision and needs. He also brought such positive energy to the set and made the production day so effortless. I also appreciated how open he was to our ideas and suggestions. The process was incredibly positive and fun. I highly recommend Alan.
Dr Kathy Murray: Global Early Childhood Development Expert and founder of Future Strong Education
Alan has a unique way of unpacking the needs of the client and then creatively finding solutions that project an image of professionalism and authenticity. I would highly recommend Alan for his diligence, creativity, kindness, and genuine interest in the client and the project to be completed.
Sabastian James: Data and Tech Manager at Michigan United
Alan is the curious, insightful, creative guy with a solid take on what makes great messaging. We met early in his career when he was toiling away in jobs that didn't quite suit his skills. I remember when he decided to embrace digital. He locked himself in his apartment, learned how to code, and (unlike many many others) built those new skills into a roster of clients from across the nation.
It wasn't a surprise to see him turn those accomplishments into a desire to be the man who not just creates the message but orchestrates everything around it. He also knows how to manage the process and people necessary to create and produce that message.
You would be so lucky to get Alan. You'd be a fool not to listen to his counsel.
Suazzne Bayles: Business Accountabily Coach / Business Consultant
I have known Alan Ruffin for a number of years now and have found him to be one of the most client-centered, solution-oriented and downright positive people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Alan always has a smile on his face and a great idea in his head. In a world of talented people Alan stands out in a crowd. Should you ever have the opportunity to work with him I'd encourage you to do so. He's more than a vendor on your project, he's your advocate. A rare combination indeed!
"Alan does great work and has excellent communication skills. He exceeded our expectations and is very easy to work with."
"I enjoyed working with someone so focused on the positive and achieving results. His can-do attitude gave me and the team a lot of energy. He's a great marketing strategist and creative director "
"Alan's team brought excitement to the office. We enjoyed watching him push the brand to the next level."
"Working on Alan's team was one of the best experiences I've had in a long time. The collaboration and willingness to hear ideas and thoughts were refreshing."