I am an executive level creative leader with more than 20 years of experience in both in-house creative departments and agencies working with some of the greatest brands in the world.
I founded the creative agency, Riser, in 2002. Over 13 years I led Riser to a 31% average annual profit margin. Riser was a nationally recognized agency creating high-profile work for clients including Disney, Google, ABC, Fox, Warner Bros., NBC, TV Guide and numerous other notable companies. Producing topflight work with exceptional customer service, Riser grew significantly including annual revenue increases of 94% in 2006, 33% in 2008, 36% in 2011 and 117% in 2012. Our three year growth rate of 235% in 2013 resulted in a ranking on Inc. 5000 (#1657). Riser’s work quality and successful business practices yielded some of the most coveted awards in the industry including Webbys, FWA, Awwwards, AIGA and Addys. Riser is also one of Utah’s most decorated Best of State award winners with 16 medals and one Best of State Statue.
In 2015, I sold Riser to a competing Utah marketing agency named Eli Kirk where I became one of four partners at the agency and its Chief Creative Officer. Following the acquisition I orchestrated a rebrand of the agency as EKR. With our new brand in place and following a revised strategic direction for the company, EKR realized 42% annual revenue growth in our first year as a combined agency and our 70% three year growth resulted in a listing on the Inc. 5000 in 2017 (#4018) and 2018 (#4769). In collaboration with the other partners, we successfully migrated Riser’s clients and acquired new notable clients including Google, National Geographic, ABC, Intel and Netflix.
In addition to my robust experience managing creative and marketing teams, I am the author of the book, Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff they don’t teach you in design school, but should. Since its publication in 2013, Burn Your Portfolio has been one of the top selling books in the industry and has been published in English, Russian, Chinese Traditional and Chinese Simplified. Burn Your Portfolio’s success has resulted in opportunities to be a keynote speaker at AIGA, Advertising Federation and University events across the nation. In addition to these events I was a keynote speaker at HOW Design Live in Atlanta in 2016 and Boston in 2018, the headline speaker at the 2018 Behance Portfolio Review in Moscow and a keynote speaker at a national event for Mercedes-Benz.
Since 2007, I have served as an advisor to several agencies helping them position themselves in their market, develop business systems and navigate growth. Additionally, I spent five years on the advisory board of Stevens-Henagar College and four years on the advisory board of the Art Institute of Salt Lake City.
My work and business have been featured by Print Magazine, HOW Magazine, Utah Business Magazine and BusinessQ Magazine, where I donned the cover of the December 2012 issue highlighting their article for “Utah’s Coolest Entrepreneurs.”
On a personal note, I live in Utah with my wife and three sons. We are “beach people” and regularly find ourselves laying in the sun at our favorite place on earth, Kauai’s north shore. During my early 20’s I lived in Colombia for two years and speak fluent Spanish. I play guitar and piano. I bench pressed 300 pounds on my 40th birthday. I’ve been to the top of Machu Picchu. I hold a first degree black-belt in karate and I have a multigenerational, genetic love for the Chicago Bears.
Riser // Founder & CEO
2002 – 2015
I founded the creative agency, Riser, in 2002. Initially working from my home in Los Angeles, my first clients were Sony, ABC Family and TDK. Within a few years that client list expanded to include Disney, ABC, Google, NBC, Fox and many other notable brands in entertainment and technology. Over the course of Riser’s existence I managed the company to an average annual profit margin of 31%, won numerous awards for both business growth and work quality, and employed more than 70 designers, programmers and support staff.
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FOX // Sr. Creative Director
2000 – 2002
During the height of the dot-com era, I operated as a Sr. Creative Director at FOX where I managed the design, editorial and development teams to execute on all digital aspects of the Fox Kids and Fox Family brands. While working at FOX I orchestrated multiple website launches, creation of brand style guides, as well as development and implementation of advertising initiatives. Additionally, I collaborated with senior executives to manage the Fox Kids and Fox Family brands across all marketing platforms.
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oKID // Creative Director
1998 – 2000
In 1998, while living in Phoenix, Arizona, I was hired by an emerging children’s toy and book company called Futech Interactive Products, Inc. I was their first dedicated digital designer and was tasked to create their company website. Through an “always exceed expectations” mindset, I expanded on the initial vision and orchestrated the creation of a fully interactive website for kids called oKID World. The site included online games, cartoons, interactive environments and educational materials. I received several promotions and quickly found myself managing more than 20 designers, programmers and editorial staff members. oKID.com was one of the first websites of its kind.
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Clients and Brands
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of providing creative services for some of the most recognized and revered brands in the world. I consider it an honor to have served these great companies through creative direction, art direction, design and development services.
