E L I M U R P H Y
G R O U P C R E A T I V E D I R E C T O R
(Art + Copy + Video) with Tech + CPG + Retail + Entertainment Experience
M Y P U R P O S E I S T O C R E A T E & I N S P I R E
I knew at a very early age that I would spend my life as a creator and storyteller — creating as an artist, a writer, and a filmmaker. Over the years I have honed my talents, challenged myself with opportunities to learn and grow, dreamed the impossible while collaborating with the best, and learned more than I ever thought possible along the way.
Since 2010, I have led creative teams (both at agencies and in-house) where I have cultivated award-winning talent while helping brands across a variety of industries and channels. As a creative leader I am constantly evaluating the work, pushing the team to make it great and removing barriers, and always asking where I can help.
I enjoy being a hands-on leader that can inspire a brainstorming session, partner with and pitch to clients, concept with an art director, swap words with copywriters, tweak layouts and typography with designers, direct talent on photo and video shoots, and put on my USC Film School alumni hat when working with video editors.
I’m a storyteller that loves connecting ideas to strategy. I’ve made a career out of cultivating beautiful design with engaging copy to solve business problems across a variety of media and channels. I foster environments of collaboration and inclusivity, where “What if...” questions are encouraged and accomplishing the impossible together is a reality.
I H A D A M B I T I O U S D R E A M S ( A N D S T I L L D O )
I originally set out with ambitious dreams of having a career that included being an animator at Pixar or Disney, a special effects artist at ILM, a comic book artist and writer at Image Comics, a commercial director, create marketing for movies, be an independent filmmaker, a tv show runner, and a published writer. I have been able to check some of those boxes off my career bucket list.
I got my creative start professionally after bombing my first interview at a local agency. The hiring manager told me to come back when I had learned something. So every Friday, I came back, hopped on their un-used Mac, and would show them what I learned. After three months, they realized this kid wasn't going away and I got my first advertising job in 1996 at the age of 18. I worked a full-time, 40 hours a week job while putting myself through two college degrees, averaging 18-24 units a semester. I was driven and determined to make a living as an artist.
From 1996 to 2016 I honed my creative skills at brand-focused marketing agencies developing award-winning talent and work for some of the biggest Tech, CPG, Retail, and Entertainment brands on the planet. While agency side I held creative roles including: Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, UI/UX Designer, Senior Art Director, Copy Writer, Production Artist, Associate Creative Director, Creative Director, and Group Creative Director.
I produced and contributed to award winning work for notable clients like Samsung, HP, T-Mobile, Sprint, Nokia, and Optima Electronics; CPG brands P&G, Kimberly-Clark, Clorox, Nestlé, Abbott Nutrition, Kelloggs, Bacardi, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, and Levis; Retailers: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, and Walgreens; and Entertainment brands: Disney, Pixar, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios.
In 2016 I went client side and joined Walmart, where I have learned how to move at the speed of retail and what it takes to be a Fortune 1 company. I started out as a Brand Manager overseeing Walmart’s entire Consumables Private Brand portfolio (12 brands across Beauty, Baby, Pet, Health & Wellness, OTC, Paper, Household Cleaners, and more). Then in the summer of 2018 I was recruited to join Walmart International. My first assignment: designing their logo and establishing the brand. The next, building an in-house creative team to support a $115 billion dollar business. From 2018 to 2024 we provided creative support to each of of our internal business units and to all of our global markets. Recently I was appointed to Director of Creative, Global Communications, where I lead a new in-house creative team responsible for digital strategy, brand engagement, custom creative solutions, and global communications for Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International.
I have attended CES, SIGGRAPH, Sundance Film Festival, Cinequest, and several other conferences and festivals. I've spoken at schools and colleges. I even spent one summer teaching kids (kindergartners up to 6th graders) how to write and make movies.
Outside of work I have coached multiple seasons of youth sports (softball and basketball); illustrated for friends; helped USC alumni with their feature films; written screenplays; and am currently in the process of writing my first book with the hopes of publishing.
I am where I am today because of the help and guidance of amazing teachers, professors, creative directors, mentors, collaborators, and friends who each saw something in me and encouraged me to dream.