Lare Arra – Executive Creative Director at GA Communication Group
Susan is a rare creative talent. She’s capable of wearing several hats and has the head for it as well: Susan’s adept at creating smart, impactful communications through thoughtful art direction and the written word. She also knows how to play the role of producer and, if needed, account executive. She’s a leader and a team player. All of which makes Susan an outstanding creative director.

Kim Kubiak – Freelance Producer
Susan is a Creative Director every producer would want to work with. Her Creative concepts are always stellar. She has a grasp of production un-like most with loads of experience to back it up. I have worked with Susan on many TV productions, often with challenging budgets. She is a decisive leader, never losing her Creative integrity even with demanding Clients and difficult timelines. Oh, and did I mention it is always with a smile, a quick wit and great attitude.

Christopher Gotschall – Editor at Cutters
I really enjoy working with Susan. Her innovation, creativity and visionary thinking when shaping brand identities and strategic directions have made for some amazing ad campaigns I’ve gotten to work on with her over the years…spots I’ve proudly highlighted on my reel. Susan is the type of creative director who thrives not only in the conceptual realm but even more in the down-and-dirty reality of video production and post-production; she’s involved in all aspects of the projects she helms, has collaborated with some of the most talented of her peers in the industry, and has a knack for bringing out the best in the people she works with, particularly when nourishing young talent. She approaches small jobs and large with the same excitement and integrity.
Her problem-solving skills on set and in the edit room have saved many a spot; she’s a perfect blend of the visionary and the practical. She’s had to wear all the hats these past years, so she knows how to balance great ideas with budget consciousness, reconcile client needs with artistic egos, and always turn out great work on time. I don’t know that there’s any aspect of print or video production, radio to new media, that she hasn’t achieved some fluency in during these past years, and she knows how to GET THINGS DONE. She’s passionate, hard-working, fun-loving and loyal, an asset to any creative endeavor. I look forward to our next job together.

Chris Sadlier – VP, Creative Director at McCann Erickson
Susan is an enthusiastic, passionate and hard-working art director and designer. She can carry a project from infancy to supernova, following every detail, keeping everyone on track. Whether you need a video, television commercial, brochure, website, whatever medium, she has the chops to deliver great solutions. Her ideas are media agnostic and always surround a brand with a clear, engaging, intelligent or entertaining voice.
Qadree Holmes – Owner Executive Producer at Quriosity Productions
We have worked with Susan on many projects from production through editorial. She is amazing at what she does. We really appreciate her new age approach to thinking outside of the box to get clients what they want….a solid creative project that speaks to the world about their brands. We’ve always appreciated her desire to raise the bar and elevate her team across the board. She has been an amazing client and the biggest cheerleader for my company. Highly recommended!

Doug Ekman – Executive V.P. Noble Advertising
Susan was a joy to be around. Always upbeat, full of ideas and totally tireless. Miss seeing her everyday. She’s a creative person who brings so much to every project she works on and her work speaks for itself. The best!

John Komnenich – Director at Story Productions
Susan is a gifted creative talent. She brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to every project that she is involved with. Her ability to visualize a concept from start to finish whether it be art directing, writing, or producing is a valuable asset throughout the entire process. I have directed a number of campaigns that Susan has created and she is a wonderful person to collaborate with. The passion and effort she brings to every production and edit is unmatched in this business and her free spirit is a breath of fresh air. Susan is that person who will never stop trying to make the idea better on all levels.
I highly recommend her for anyone who wants a teammate they can always count on.

Randall Lorimor – Client
Prior to my recent retirement, I was the Manager of Advertising for thirty years at COUNTRY Financial, an insurance and investment management company with three billion dollars in annual revenue. During most of that time, I had the pleasure of working with Susan Schmidt, the art director on our account.
We worked together producing print, outdoor and television adverting as well as frequent collateral projects. Susan was both fun to work with and extremely capable. Even with the usual second-guessing and unrealistic deadlines that clients often bring to creative work, Susan maintained her positive attitude and dedication to our success. And when we “fiddled” with her work, her energy and understanding never wavered.
I learned a lot from Susan over the years and consider her one of my very best work partners out of the hundreds of people I dealt with. I highly recommend her and would be glad to speak with anyone interested in using Susan for creative work.