SUMMARY

I've spent over a decade honing my craft as a Creative Leader, traversing the ever-evolving landscapes of digital and social marketing, design, content creation, and influencer marketing across various agency and client environments. My journey has been marked by a passion for strategic storytelling, a knack for crafting captivating narratives, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in campaigns for top-tier brands.

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of guiding dynamic creative teams, instilling inspiration, and fostering collaboration to consistently deliver exceptional results. My communication skills, coupled with a keen eye for design aesthetics, have enabled me to effectively convey ideas and concepts with clarity and impact.

I thrive in the face of complexity. Navigating the dynamic nature of our industry, I've pioneered innovative processes to enhance team efficiency and drive success. My enthusiasm for all kinds of workplaces, including startups fuels my drive for action and continuous improvement, always seeking new ways to innovate and elevate brands to new heights.

As I look ahead, I am excited about opportunities to leverage my experience, creativity, and passion to contribute to the success and growth of forward-thinking brands.

EXPERIENCE

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Digital Social & Influencer

Orci Advertising, Los Angeles, CA.

2022 - Present

• Develop and execute disruptive social-first content strategies with a focus on short-form video, humor, and real-time cultural dialogue.

• Manage and mentor content creators across brand channels, fostering creativity and collaboration.

• Stay current on emerging social media trends, tools, and platforms, ensuring alignment with clients' objectives and brand guidelines.

• Provide clear guidance to the creative and influencer teams to ensure that the creative execution aligns with the campaign's strategic vision.

• Develop key messaging and positioning that effectively communicates the brand's value proposition.

• Create and deliver persuasive presentations to multiple brands that outline the strategic rationale behind campaign concepts and ideas.

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

The Mindful Studio. Los Angeles/Miami.

2018 - present

• Responsible for founding a creative agency focused on elevating conscious brands through cutting-edge solutions such as branding, social media strategy, visual storytelling, art direction, bilingual copywriting, content creation and more.

• Oversee the creative team and serves as the creative lead, mentoring and developing the team through all creative initiatives.

• Promote creative improvement and development contributing to a culture of innovation, excellence and accountability.

• Orchestrate brand-defining creative solutions that address strategic business objectives.

• Craft persuasive and compelling brand stories that connect with consumers on an emotional level.

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE LEAD, Influencer Strategy

Captiv8. Remote.

2020 - 2022

• Lead innovative influencer marketing campaigns for diverse brands, from strategy to content launch.

• Collaborate closely with clients to understand their needs and propel their marketing techniques into the future.

• Develop creative concepts that differentiate brands and resonate with the target audience.

• Utilize consumer insights and market data to inform creative decisions and refine campaign strategies.

• Review and provide constructive feedback on creative concepts, ensuring they align with client brand guidelines and objectives.

• Stay up-to-date on industry trends, competitor activities, best practices in advertising, creative strategy and social media platform updates to remain at the forefront of social media innovation.

• Review key creative briefs and oversee the presentation of final concepts and work to ensure the correct and best Social-First strategy and creativity is being delivered.

SR. ART DIRECTOR/COPYWRITER, Social & Digital

Orci Advertising. Los Angeles, CA.

2017 - 2020

• Oversee content creation for digital and social platforms through bilingual copywriting, art direction, and social media management.

• Collaborate closely with brand and internal teams to ensure creative is seamlessly translated into campaign execution.

• Provide creative direction for paid and organic social media content, including graphics, videos, and copy, ensuring consistency and innovation.

• Contribute hands-on by creating high-quality social media content.

• Collaborate and work closely with Social Strategy Directors and Influencer Managers to inform and lead the direction of work rooted in consumer, platform and brand insights.

ART DIRECTOR/COPYWRITER, Social

Zubi Advertising. Miami, FL.

2015 - 2017

• Responsible for end-to-end content creation across digital media channels, elevating and managing brands' platforms.

• Creative strategy, content calendars, community management.

DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR

Bush&Renz. Miami, FL.

2015

• Conceptualize and execute visual storytelling content aligned with diverse brand aesthetics.

• Have a clear understanding of design principles and create impactful designs to improve conversion rates across digital channels.

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of digital projects alongside a Digital Project Manager, ensuring they are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR, Internship

Orci Advertising. Los Angeles, CA.

2014 - 2015

• Conceptualize and execute visual creative aligned with diverse brand aesthetics.

• Engage in collaborative brainstorming with the creative, social, and other teams to ensure designs surpass expectations.

• Develop brand pitch decks for new accounts as well as existing partner accounts during key moments in the year.

• Create and deliver persuasive presentations to brands that outline the strategic rationale behind campaign concepts and ideas.

• Stay updated on emerging trends and best practices in social media marketing.

ART DIRECTOR, Digital & Print

The Scarlet Letter Store. Surfside, FL.

2012 - 2014

• Lead the design and bilingual copywriting efforts for print materials, including stationary and promotional materials, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and strategic objectives.

• Play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of the brand identity, crafting compelling visual assets that resonated with the target audience and enhanced brand recognition both locally and nationally.

MARKETING MANAGER, Digital & Social

BSL Building Supplies & Logistics

2011 - 2012

• Evaluate and translate analytical data into clear storytelling and actionable insights; partner with clients and internal team to develop creative marketing strategies.

• Leverage design skills to produce creative and visually appealing assets that embody brand's philosophy with meticulous attention to detail and a dedication to exceptional design quality.

SKILLS

• More than 10 years of creative and design experience with emphasis on content creation, creative strategy, marketing/advertising, and influencer marketing.

• Ability to see the big picture, determine the right course of action, and delegate responsibility to right resources.

• Pitching and presenting creative concepts to both brand clients and partners. 

• Leadership experience successfully managing dynamic creative teams.

• Development of creative ideation and strategy for top brands.

• Strong bilingual communication with presentation skills that command attention.

• Superior presentation and writing skills, along with a keen eye for design and aesthetics.

• Action-oriented, strategic thinker. Project & Team Management.

• Startup experience. Comfortable creating organization and processes from scratch.

• Content Creation & Strategy, Short-form Video Development, Art Direction & Copywriting, , Social Media & Community Management.

• Experienced in all social platforms and media, including TikTok, Instagram Reels, Pinterest Ads, Facebook/Meta Ads, YouTube Shorts, Twitter/X Content and more.

• Graphic & Web Design, Digital Photography & Visual Storytelling.

• Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Acrobat) Microsoft Office, Slack & Asana, Planoly, Hootsuite, Sprouts Social, and more.

FEATURED CLIENTS

Honda, Nordstrom, Ford, Kraft, Walmart, Lincoln, Acura, Walgreens, Pottery Barn, Levi's, Dole Sunshine, Heineken, Hempz, Allstate, Netflix, Petco, Dunkin’, Delta, Volkswagen, Colgate, HBO, CA Lottery, Alexis (fashion), Burt’s Bees, Pocky, Cheetos, Mondelez, and more.

EDUCATION

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ART & DESIGN

Bachelor's Degree in Advertising

2012 - 2015

• Top student of the Advertising Class of 2015.

• 1st Place - 2015 Behance Portfolio Awards.

• (2) Silver - 2015 Addy Awards.

• 2015 Vance & Betty Lee Stickell Award.

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT

WEBBY’S AWARDS JUDGE. Digital & Innovation. 2019 - Present.

CIRCULO CREATIVO FIAP AWARDS JUDGE. Social & Influencer. 2023

Honorary Member of the AIGA.

SOLO PROJECTS

MINDFULLY, SAM Holistic Wellness Platform.

THEMINDFUL.STUDIO Creative Studio.

CONTACT

sam@themindful.studio