Professional Experience
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Walt Disney Interactive Media Group
Oct 2004 – Sept 2010
· Responsible for the Creative Vision of the Disney Family Network of sites including DisneyFamily.com, FamilyFun.com, Disney for Mom’s, iParenting, Kaboose.com, and Babyzone.com in Los Angeles and New York.
· Spearheaded new technology and creative initiatives to find new standards to monetize content through multiple channels including multi-touch and cross platform computing
· Instrumental in securing exclusive product development deals with business affiliates including Pixar, Marvel Digital Entertainment, Jim Hansen online Muppet’s Workshop, Teri Hatcher “Get Hatched” increasing viewership and new market share
· Developed production strategy to streamline engaging new video formats resulting in new ad sales and sponsorships opportunities
· Implemented emerging entertainment and new media strategies for original content development geared towards a niche Mom demographic
· Provide effective leadership and oversight of production, original shoots, branded entertainment, and ad sales initiatives for all Disney Online and Family portfolios
· Instrumental in growing the Disney Family Network of businesses from 10 employees to over 175 in LA and NY
· Developed and led the transition teams for multiple acquisitions
· Work with leadership teams to establish yearly roadmaps, annual operating budgets, and P&L’s
· Lead and inspire inter-departmental teams consisting of Art Directors, designers, ad sales and marketing, editorial, photography, video, and technology with a focus on exploration concepts in usability, interactive and visual design
· Invited to participate in initial strategy meetings to influence design and work environments for Disney’s Grand Central Creative Campus to be completed 2012.
· Leadership includes oversight of production of all on-line creative elements, including concept development, production and budget management
ART DIRECTOR
Warner Music Group / Time Warner
1998 - 2004
· Designed and developed websites for Warner Music Group and Publishing affiliates.
Effectiveness of this web design model enabled WMG to easily integrate international affiliate sites, substantially minimizing production time by 50%.
· Created and designed innovative website “One Stop Trax” allowing studios, film producers, editors, and music directors to license “pre-cleared” songs, eliminating lengthy legal contract negotiations.
· Designed a digital music player that allowed executives to share and store music assets and track-recorded demos in a localized database, eliminating costs to burn CD’s and ship materials.
· Researched artist’s culture and executed progressive designs aligning with current artistic trends.
· Designed Extranet portal for employee access to timesheets, PDF forms, department news, employee directories, reducing HR paperwork and phone inquiries.
· Utilized experienced production methodologies by creating systematic design to dynamically update websites.
· Managed a production environment, providing an open channel for communication while overseeing project scope and deadlines.
· Created marketing promotions utilizing the latest technologies including Flash, Director, Photoshop, and Illustrator, resulting in successfully attracting users to the websites. · Organized education in Flash and streaming video to encourage production teams to utilize the latest design tools and technology.
· Web Design Credits: Warner Chappell Music, OneStopTrax.com, e-License Club, Word Publishing, Warner Special Products, Warner Chappell Italy, Warner Chappell Scandinavia, Warner Chappell Holland, Warner Chappell UK, Benji Music Player
FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Class6 Entertainment, Inc.
1993 - 1997
· Created the structure and production methodology for a digital ink and paint animation production studio.
· Generated $1.2 million in revenue first year.
· Successfully produced an animated Award Winning CD-Rom game “Creature Crunch” starring Martin Short and Eugene Levy, selling nationally in retail stores.
· Contracted animation production facilities in Europe and Asia, reducing production costs by 30%.
· Promoted and sold digital ink and paint services to outside studios, contributing to increased job growth and additional revenue to the company. · Recruited, trained and supervised all digital production and animation personnel.
· Developed and monitored budgets, and negotiated and prepared bid proposals and contracts, meeting budgetary timelines on all projects.
· Co-developed a fully integrated digital ink/paint software system named Pixcel.
Clients: FOX Network "The Home Team with Terry Bradshaw"- TV Bumpers, Chuck Jones Productions Living Books, Kurtz and Friends Spaff Animation, Nickelodeon.
· Renegade Animation Klasky Gsupo, Zanders Animation Knowledge Adventure, Warner Bros. Network Disney Interactive, Metrolight Studios Disney On Line, Electronic Arts Cloud9 Interactive, Colombia TriStar Television, MTV Network
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Metrolight Studios
1990 - 1993
· Assisted in growing Metrocel animation division from 2 to 50 employees, resulting in multi-million dollar buyout by 7th Level.
· Worked closely with art directors to achieve creative project vision with innovative technical process for commercials and short format animation projects.
· Served as liaison between agencies and production studios, maintaining continuity of production process.
· Collaborated with software engineer in the implementation of proprietary software (ANNIE)
· Managed budgets based on detailed breakdowns of materials, scripts and storyboards.
· Generated schedules with producers and team members.
· Coordinated production and creative resources for projects.
· Researched and analyzed graphic tools and software applications.
· Clients/Projects: Playhouse -"Cathy", "Cocoa Pebbles", Film Roman -"Garfield"
· Don Bluth Animation -"Sir Comps Alot", "Target Stores", Universal Studios -"Shelly Duvall's Bedtime Stories", Marvel Productions -"Time Challengers", JJ Seadlemier -"Beavis and Butthead", Games Productions -"The Ren & Stimpy Show", Harmony Pictures Bear Animation -"Disney's Toon Town", Virgin Interactive -"Aladdin", "Dyno Blaze"
EDUCATION
BFA, Visual Communications - American InterContinental University
Film, Television and Theater - UCLA
Harvard Leadership / Management Programs – The Walt Disney Company
