Erika Barker
Creative Director and Photographer
New York, NY, USA
305-322-7324
erikabarker.com
As a seasoned Creative Director, Journalist, and AI-Driven Strategist, I bring a wealth of experience in digital transformation and content creation, with a career spanning over 15 years in diverse roles from military operations to Fortune 500 corporate leadership. My expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives through impactful content creation, leveraging digital media, and implementing creative strategies. I have a proven track record in integrating AI and data analytics into communications, shaping both internal and external strategies across consumer technology and B2B sectors. My technical proficiency, innovative vision, and data-driven approach enable me to build and maintain robust media relationships, provide strategic counsel on cloud technologies, AI, privacy, and security, and deliver exceptional results in fast-paced environments. I am adept at leading and fostering growth in teams, demonstrating excellent organizational and communication skills, making me an ideal candidate for executive roles. My passion lies in educating stakeholders about technology benefits, corporate culture/values, and public policy issues. I am always ready to embrace risks, contribute to a company's mission, and drive growth.
Work Experience
Mercedes & McRill LLC
Creative Director
• Creative Director: Elevated brand presence for refugee and minority-owned start-up, Awet, through the successful launch of its first photographic branding campaign in Saks Fifth Avenue.
• Innovative Manager: Own and manage a successful small design and photo studio, providing cutting-edge solutions for private equity portfolio companies, start-ups, and fashion brands.
• Transformative Marketer: Transformed e-commerce and logistics processes, delivering a 25% increase in online revenue for clients, such as 180s, and Dana Classic Fragrances.
• Master Mentor & Producer: Skillfully produced and managed multiple pitched docuseries for CNN and Discovery Channel, showcasing expertise in all aspects of production and post-production.
• Sustainability Champion: Implemented sustainable solutions, reducing carbon footprint and streamlining shipping processes for clients.
• UX Architect: Pioneered online productivity for Blockbuster movie and TV show editors, delivering a collaboration-enhancing, latency-reducing workflow platform through UX design for Pacpost live using IBM's Carbon Design System.
• Innovative Manager: Own and manage a successful small design and photo studio, providing cutting-edge solutions for private equity portfolio companies, start-ups, and fashion brands.
• Transformative Marketer: Transformed e-commerce and logistics processes, delivering a 25% increase in online revenue for clients, such as 180s, and Dana Classic Fragrances.
• Master Mentor & Producer: Skillfully produced and managed multiple pitched docuseries for CNN and Discovery Channel, showcasing expertise in all aspects of production and post-production.
• Sustainability Champion: Implemented sustainable solutions, reducing carbon footprint and streamlining shipping processes for clients.
• UX Architect: Pioneered online productivity for Blockbuster movie and TV show editors, delivering a collaboration-enhancing, latency-reducing workflow platform through UX design for Pacpost live using IBM's Carbon Design System.
April 2014
- Present
New York, United States
Patriarch Partners
Creative Director
• Led the restructuring of marketing and branding processes for private equity portfolio brands, collaborating with teams of designers and copywriters to deliver creative work that met objectives and brand consistency.
• Optimized outdated CMS platforms and migrated ecommerce solutions to more efficient and affordable platforms such as Shopify and Amazon Business, resulting in a 22% reduction in overhead costs and man-hours.
• Filled in as a photographer to shoot products, editorials, and branding material for portfolio companies, producing high-quality visuals that accurately reflected the brands' messaging and positioning.
• Saved the parent company over $40,000 annually by taking over their website that had poor SEO and building a new one from scratch, with better SEO optimization that improved their search engine rankings to the top of the search.
• Optimized outdated CMS platforms and migrated ecommerce solutions to more efficient and affordable platforms such as Shopify and Amazon Business, resulting in a 22% reduction in overhead costs and man-hours.
• Filled in as a photographer to shoot products, editorials, and branding material for portfolio companies, producing high-quality visuals that accurately reflected the brands' messaging and positioning.
• Saved the parent company over $40,000 annually by taking over their website that had poor SEO and building a new one from scratch, with better SEO optimization that improved their search engine rankings to the top of the search.
August 2005
- March 2020
New York, New York, United States
Artisan Creative Agency
Art director
• Provided creative and content development services, as an independent contractor for clients such as Macy’s, Condé Nast, NFL, Direct TV, and Juice Pharma.
• Designed advertising and promotional materials for leading health and beauty brands and led SELF Magazine's creative and content development.
• Provided high-end retouching, color-grading, and compositing services for leading fashion brands.
• Conducted commercial, studio, and fashion photography services to Fortune 1000 companies.
• Designed advertising and promotional materials for leading health and beauty brands and led SELF Magazine's creative and content development.
• Provided high-end retouching, color-grading, and compositing services for leading fashion brands.
• Conducted commercial, studio, and fashion photography services to Fortune 1000 companies.
April 2014
- July 2015
New York, New York, United States
Full Sail University
Course Director - New Media Journalism & Public Relations
• Developed and taught curricula in Multimedia Development and Editing, Online Media Room, and Mobile Technology and Communications for PR and New Media Journalism Master of Arts Degree Programs.
• Improved student retention scores by 10% and overall student satisfaction scores by 10%.
• Instructed over 400 students on reporting for different electronic media and deployed a new grading workflow system, saving instructors 40 hours of grading time per month.
• Improved student retention scores by 10% and overall student satisfaction scores by 10%.
• Instructed over 400 students on reporting for different electronic media and deployed a new grading workflow system, saving instructors 40 hours of grading time per month.
July 2011
- April 2014
Florida, United States
Expeditionary Combat Camera
Multimedia Content Specialist | Combat Camera Specialist, U.S. Military
• Created video, photography, text stories, graphics and multimedia projects for global distribution
• Deployed as Combat Camera specialist to Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
• Edited photos, copy, and visuals for the Associated Press, Reuters, and other media outlets using AP standards
• Managed intelligence and historical documentation for JTF Guantanamo and other government agencies
• Archived 30,000 images and 1,700 minutes of video for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay
• Built and managed a 12-terabyte network storage infrastructure for media assets and management.
• Deployed as Combat Camera specialist to Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
• Edited photos, copy, and visuals for the Associated Press, Reuters, and other media outlets using AP standards
• Managed intelligence and historical documentation for JTF Guantanamo and other government agencies
• Archived 30,000 images and 1,700 minutes of video for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay
• Built and managed a 12-terabyte network storage infrastructure for media assets and management.
March 2004
- March 2009
Virginia, United States
Education
Full Sail University
Bachelor in Digital Arts and Design
The specialized curriculum starts with an overview of traditional 2D and 3D art theory, the foundations of the design industry. Students take that knowledge into classes that cover multimedia production, including techniques in typography, page layout, composition, and even website design. Further courses focus on developing proficiency on the same software technology used in today’s design studios.
April 2010
Winter Park, Florida, United States
Full Sail University
M.S., Entertainment and Business
April 2010
- April 2011
Winter Park, Florida, United States
Defense Information School
Navy A School Training in Mass Communications
2004
Maryland, United States
Languages
English (Native),
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite,
AI Strategy,
Brand Development,
Branding,
CMS,
CMS Platforms,
Content Creation,
Copywriting,
Creative Direction,
Digital Transformation,
E-commerce,
Ecommerce,
Editorial Photography,
Fashion Photography,
FBI,
Headshot Photography,
Journalism,
Marketing Strategy,
Media Relations,
Military,
Photography,
Photojournalism,
Portfolio Management,
Product Photography,
Project Management,
Public Relations,
SEO Optimization,
Studio Management,
Team Leadership,
UI Design ,
User Experience Design,
UX Design,
Visual Storytelling,