Chicago Casting Calls & Acting Auditions

The Chicago Sun-Times is the hardest-working paper in America, covering the stories and issues that matter most to Chicagoans with depth, integrity, and grit. The newsroom has earned eight Pulitzer Prizes for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, insightful sports analysis, entertainment reviews, and cultural commentary. An industry-leading innovator in local news, it has been recognized nationally for expanding digital and multimedia reporting platforms alongside its indomitable newspaper, the oldest continuously published daily in the city.

In January 2022, the Sun-Times merged with public radio station WBEZ with a shared mission to strengthen local journalism in Chicago. Under the banner of Chicago Public Media, Chicago Sun-Times Media, Inc. (CSTM) is now part of one of the largest nonprofit news organizations in the nation. This merger reinforces our commitment to serving Chicagoans with the news that matters most -– fact-based, unbiased journalism deeply connected to Chicago communities.

An Opportunity to Make an Impact:

We seek an innovative leader who can lead the visual direction of the Chicago Sun-Times’ editorial products. This a unique opportunity to lead an influential local news outlet in an innovative, exciting market at a time when the Sun-Times has joined Chicago Public Media, become a nonprofit, and adopted a membership model without a paywall.

We want our visual identity to reflect our new direction and showcase the work of our fantastic team of photographers, designers, and more. The ideal candidate will work with key stakeholders across the newsroom to evaluate, set and deliver our visual aesthetic and style across all our editorial platforms.

Core Duties:

• Set the strategy, goals, and objectives for our visual work, working with the Executive Editor and other stakeholders in the newsroom.
• Manage the visuals team and freelancers to create impactful visual journalism – photos, illustrations, interactives, and video – and meet newsroom goals.
• Create an effective and efficient workflow and processes to ensure our visual work is aligned with our editorial strategy and as impactful as possible.
• Grow collaboration and communication across the newsroom and with internal and external partners within Chicago Public Media.
• Elevate visual storytelling across the newsroom and website, newspaper, wire, social media, newsletters, and everywhere else our editorial brand is reflected.
• Help train the newsroom on visual best practices, image selection, visual tools, and other skills needed to enhance our visual storytelling and appearance.
• Liaise and collaborate with cross-functional teams across the Sun-Times and Chicago Public Media, including marketing, circulation, product, digital and revenue teams.
• As part of the editorial leadership team, help improve CST’s audience relationships, workplace culture, editorial excellence, and impact.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related training.
• At least five years of newsroom experience, including people-management experience.
• Strong visual skills, including experience creating a visual identity.
• Strategic thinker and an excellent planner with solid project management and communication skills.
• Ability to react quickly in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a union environment.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, an FSA, and commuter benefits plans.
• Opportunity to work within a collaborative team culture.
• A flexible work schedule.
• Opportunity to be part of an iconic brand and help build the future of local news.

The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. CSTM may change the content or format of this job at any time at its sole and exclusive discretion without notice. This role does not offer sponsorship employment benefits.

CSTM does not discriminate in its employment decisions based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, citizenship or national origin, veteran status, or on any other basis which would violate any applicable federal, state, or local law.

Chicago Sun-Times

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for Art Directors that are searching to find the big idea and also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real word. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.

Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key. People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES *

The Art Director is responsible, in the area of creative for:

• Working with a Copywriter, you will deliver strategic concepts and art direction across existing clients. You’ll be our work’s greatest advocate, able to process feedback then respond with creative that exceeds expectations.
• Always strive to find the big idea, but also recognize little nuances that give the perfect look and texture.

• Working with CDs and GCDs you will seek out improvement, both in the work that is created and growth as an individual. The Art Director should always be looking to master their craft and improve on their skills.
• Ownership is key to success. The Art Director is responsible for the execution of ideas across TV, print, digital and social channels while directing photographers, illustrators, animators and junior designers with the utmost attention to detail.
• Participating in all meetings, calls and creative briefings for the internal creative team.
• Supporting day-to-day creative deliverables, as Creative Directors deem appropriate.
• Routing creative / copy internally through proper approvals with managing creatives
• Managing projects’ creative assets and schedules to ensure on-time deliverables
• Working with CDs and GCDs to seek out constant improvement in the work that is created and growth as an individual. The Copywriter should always be looking to master their craft and improve on their skills.
• The Art Director should be highly iterative and refuse to settle.
• Staying current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in.
• Will perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in English, writing or related field is a plus

Experience

• 3-5+ years industry experience, or applicable work experience, and excellent recommendations
• Experience working on large, integrated, cross-channel campaigns – and a killer book to boot

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Possess strong art direction background / skills
• Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink the work.
• Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change
• Possess strong communication skills
• Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills
• Energy, curiosity and an ability to maintain your sense of humor under tight timelines
• A passion and expertise for art, design and photography.
• Fluent in GSuite, shared Google documents and familiarity with Keynote

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL STANDARDS

Standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, twisting, bending, crawling

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

Typically, this is an office environment which can involve periods of sitting, standing, bending, twisting

HOURS WORKED

Full-time employees are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Work hours vary by need and role.

OKRP

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for Art Directors that are searching to find the big idea and also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real word. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.

Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key. People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES *

The Art Director is responsible, in the area of creative for:

• Working with a Copywriter, you will deliver strategic concepts and art direction across existing clients. You’ll be our work’s greatest advocate, able to process feedback then respond with creative that exceeds expectations.
• Always strive to find the big idea, but also recognize little nuances that give the perfect look and texture.

• Working with CDs and GCDs you will seek out improvement, both in the work that is created and growth as an individual. The Art Director should always be looking to master their craft and improve on their skills.
• Ownership is key to success. The Art Director is responsible for the execution of ideas across TV, print, digital and social channels while directing photographers, illustrators, animators and junior designers with the utmost attention to detail.
• Participating in all meetings, calls and creative briefings for the internal creative team.
• Supporting day-to-day creative deliverables, as Creative Directors deem appropriate.
• Routing creative / copy internally through proper approvals with managing creatives
• Managing projects’ creative assets and schedules to ensure on-time deliverables
• Working with CDs and GCDs to seek out constant improvement in the work that is created and growth as an individual. The Copywriter should always be looking to master their craft and improve on their skills.
• The Art Director should be highly iterative and refuse to settle.
• Staying current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in.
• Will perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in English, writing or related field is a plus

Experience

• 3-5+ years industry experience, or applicable work experience, and excellent recommendations
• Experience working on large, integrated, cross-channel campaigns – and a killer book to boot

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Possess strong art direction background / skills
• Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink the work.
• Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change
• Possess strong communication skills
• Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills
• Energy, curiosity and an ability to maintain your sense of humor under tight timelines
• A passion and expertise for art, design and photography.
• Fluent in GSuite, shared Google documents and familiarity with Keynote

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL STANDARDS

Standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, twisting, bending, crawling

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

Typically, this is an office environment which can involve periods of sitting, standing, bending, twisting

HOURS WORKED

Full-time employees are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Work hours vary by need and role.

OKRP

Creative Director

E-Commerce

$200,000 – $230,000 basic + Bonus + LTI

Greater Chicago (hybrid – 3 days in office)

An organization that is a mainstay in the E-Commerce space is looking to add an executive leader to its robust Creative division. If you have ample experience implementing best-of-breed initiatives from a creative strategy perspective, can effectively preside over a multi-faceted team of 8+ direct reports, and have a successful track record driving an ever-evolving brand, this can be the opportunity for you!

THE ROLE- Creative Director

In this capacity, you will be tasked with the following:

• Effectively preside over all aspects of creative strategy from ideation to execution.
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, E-Commerce, and Merchandising to align on website site design.
• Direct the creation of brand, photography, design, and voice standards for both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Support organizational product launches and company-wide initiatives.
• Partner with senior leadership within Marketing to understand organizational needs and how they can be supplemented by the creative team.
• Manage a versatile creative team that includes various business units such as Project Management, Graphic/Web Design, Video, Photography, and Copywriting.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline is required. Masters preferred.
• Ample hands-on experience in a Creative capacity is needed.
• The ability to navigate a lean, agile environment is required.
• Proven experience with building, leading, and presiding over multi-faceted Creative teams.
• Proven expertise in the overall execution of complex marketing content across a website is required.
• A sterling track record of having deep ownership of projects that have a profound effect on a business in its entirety.
• Impeccable communication skills with experience working cross-functionally throughout an organization.
• Previous experience spearheading Photography/Video content for a multitude of outputs.

BENEFITS -Creative Director

As a Creative Director, you can expect to earn up to $230,000 (depending on experience), both long and short-term bonuses, and highly competitive benefits.

HOW TO APPLY?:

Please register your interest by sending your Resume to Greffen George via the Apply link on this page

KEYWORDS:

Thought Leadership, E-Commerce, Creative, Photo, Video, Content, Web, Website, Site, Analytics, Excel, Management, Personalization, CRM, Customer Experience, Customer Relationship Management, Strategy, Roadmap, Merchandise, Brand, Digital

Harnham

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

E-COMMERCE

ILLINOIS, HYBRID, CHICAGO

$190,000-$210,000 BASE

A leading e-commerce company that has proven itself to be a mainstay within the industry is urgently looking for a Creative Director to join its team.

The Role:

This individual will report directly to the CMO and work to develop and manage the organization’s brand, and a creative team, and work closely with both internal teams and external partners. They are looking for someone that will be hands-on in all aspects of the creative strategy, development, and execution. If you have extensive experience with photography and video production, this is the role for you. A background in email marketing would also be beneficial for this position.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, SEO, A/B testing, and Jira.
• Proven expertise in ideation, execution, and end-to-end facilitation of complex marketing and advertising content and copy across mediums and channels, including national TV, direct marketing, paid social, lead generation, and print.
• A customer-driven creative’s vision and a scientist’s curiosity, adapting the work and constantly testing and learning to achieve and improve results.
• 10 years of related experience.

The Benefits:

As the Creative Director, you can earn between $190,000 – $210,000.

How to apply:

Please register your interest by sending your Resume to Izzy Conover via the Apply link on this page

Desired Skills and Experience
Adobe, Google, Microsoft Suites, Jira, A/B testing, Creative, Photography, Video, Marketing, Production, Publicist, E-commerce,
Harnham

About OX

The Office of Experience (OX) is a full-service digital agency helping companies excel at every moment of interface they have with their customers. OX’s human-centered philosophy and multidisciplinary approach integrate strategy, design and technology to help organizations reinvent their business and rapidly bring new experiences, products and messages to market. In an era of unprecedented disruption, OX is built to transform.

Position Description

As a Creative Director at OX, you’re the day-to-day, on-the-ground leader of the creative team. You are a big-picture-thinker that not only guides your team, but guides clients—helping them realize their brand vision in current and future projects. You’ll take charge of a project from conception to execution, leading a team of visual and user experience designers and writers across various deliverables — from digital to print to experience design. While your main focus is leading, you will continue to play a hands on approach, jumping in to design and create when needed to push the work. Regardless of how you engage on a project, you are responsible for its quality, direction, and success. You are the go-to resource for our creative leadership, helping design and implement initiatives to drive OX’s creative culture and creative standards. The Creative Director reports directly to the Executive Creative Director.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Serves as the driving force that keeps the creative team at the top of its game
• Develops original design concepts, oversee multiple projects all the way through execution, and directly manage a team of creatives
• Identifies the best ways to leverage talent and put them in the position to succeed
• Strong ability to provide clear creative direction, career path guidance and timely and helpful feedback to improve creative processes to keep work on budget and schedule
• Possesses both brand and digital expertise
• Understands how to work in design sprints
• Proven leadership skills. We need people who are confident with everything from team building to mentoring to guiding large groups of creative talent.
• Excellent presentation skills and communication abilities at all levels of both internal and client organizations
• Collaborate in project scoping, estimating, and pitching
• Strong ability to prioritize work and resources across engagements based on short- and long-term need. Timelines, budgets, and directions change—we need someone who can roll with it
• Inspires the team to achieve the highest level of creative excellence in every opportunity
• Other duties as assigned by your manager

Required Experience

• 10+ years of design systems experience in a professional services, agency or consulting environment
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for and understanding of digital trends and technologies, including best practices
• Excellent strategic brainstorming, campaign development and creative execution
• Desire to learn and apply your skills in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment
• Deep understanding of the principles and practices of omnichannel marketing, branding and emergent technologies to drive outcomes for B2B and B2C businesses and brands
• Passion for great design and systems thinking

Location

Chicago / Remote

OX DE&I Statement

Know Better. Do Better. Be Better.

At The Office of Experience, we design experiences for people. All people. To ensure we deliver on that promise, we must widen the aperture of truth. That means having a diversity of voices at the table as we set out to create the most relevant and meaningful experiences possible. We are committed to hiring a diverse set of people, minds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to creating an equitable environment to ensure all our people have the support and opportunity they need to succeed. And we are committed to fostering an inclusive organization built on a foundation of trust as we create a culture that is fearless, collaborative, and embraces life.

The Office of Experience

Major Baby Brand Commercial

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: Babies/Toddlers (ages 1 month – 24 months) and their real parents to be featured in a commercial for a major baby brand! 

PRODUCT: A Major Baby Brand (product is under NDA) 

TYPE OF PRODUCTION: This is a NON UNION Commercial with Stills that will be used for 1 year in North America for TV/Broadcast, Internet/New Media, Industrial, Print, and Historical usage. 

COMPENSATION (If booked for the project):

Babies Session Rate – $350.00 per work day (hours are subject to IL child labor laws), and $50.00 for wardrobe fitting (if needed)

Adults Session Rate – $500.00 per 10 hour work day, and $50.00 for wardrobe fitting (if needed)

If featured in the final commercial, each person (adults and children) will be compensated $2,000.00 for the usage!  

All minors in the state of IL would need to obtain a work permit and a trust account in order to shoot this commercial.  O’Connor Casting and Production will supply you with all information needed for this if your child is booked! 

DATES NEEDED: 

Callback Date: if needed, the Director and Producers may want to meet you for a Callback audition on Mon. 5/1, Tues. 5/2 or Weds. 5/3 at our offices in the West Loop. 
Wardrobe fitting: Tues. 5/9
Shoot Dates: Thurs. 5/11 and/or Fri. 5/12 (likely only needed 1 day)
Shoot Location: Chicagoland Area (you must be able to transport yourself to and from set in the Chicago area)

Local to Chicago, Suburbs, and the Surrounding border states to IL ONLY!

Searching for:

• MALES AND FEMALES,
• all ethnicities,
• 20’s TO 70’s,

To work as Looky-loos (watching an accident) on Chicago Fire. This will film on Sunday April 30th, and the Covid test will be on  Friday, 4.28th. You might need a wardrobe fitting.

We are looking for Junior Art Directors that are searching to find big ideas that also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real word. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.

Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key.

The Jr. Art Director is responsible, in the area of creative for:

• Working with an existing (exceptionally talented!) OKRP copywriter, you will deliver strategic concepts and art direction to existing clients.

• Passion for art and design are a must, but an unending curiosity and need to improve is essential to success. As a Jr. Art Director you need to be highly iterative and resilient, constantly looking to improve on your quality of your work as well as your skills as a creative.

• As a collaborative team player, the Jr. Art Director will help support their team and help develop ideas across TV, print, digital and social advertising. Meticulous attention to detail is expected to execute the creative successfully.

• The Sr. Art Director should consider themselves a maker. Someone with a passion for finding beauty in the real world to inspire work. This person should be a self-starter with a willingness to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

• The Sr. Art director should be current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in both culture and technology.

• People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative. They care about each other and are expected to help each other grow as creatives and as people.

• Performing other duties as required or assigned that at are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Skills, Knowledge and Ability:

• Possess strong art direction background / skills

• Be both right brained and left brained

• Must know Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

• Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL STANDARDS

Standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, twisting, bending, crawling

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

Typically, this is an office environment which can involve periods of sitting, standing, bending, twisting

HOURS WORKED

Full-time employees are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Work hours vary by need and role.

OKRP

We are looking for Senior Art Directors that are searching to find the big idea, but also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real world. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.

Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key.

The Sr. Art Director is responsible for:

• Working with a Sr. Copywriter, you’ll deliver strategic concepts and art direction across clients. Together, you’ll be your work’s greatest advocate, able to process feedback then respond with creative that exceeds expectations.

• Always strive to find the big idea, but also recognize little nuances that give the perfect look and texture.

• Working with CDs and GCDs you will seek out improvement, both in the work that is created and growth as an individual. You should always be looking to master your craft and improve on their skills.

• Ownership is key to success. You’ll be responsible for the execution of ideas across TV, print, digital and social channels while directing photographers, illustrators, animators and junior designers with the utmost attention to detail.

• Be current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in both culture and technology.

• People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative. They care about each other and are expected to help each other grow as creatives and as people.

• Performing other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Experience:

• 5+ years industry experience, or applicable work experience, and strong recommendations

• Experience working on large, integrated, cross-channel campaigns – and a killer book to boot.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Possess strong art direction background / skills

• Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink the work.

• Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change.

• Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills.

• Energy, curiosity and an ability to maintain your sense of humor under tight timelines and long hours.

• A passion and expertise for art, design and photography.

OKRP