Katie DeMatteis is a dynamic marketing professional renowned for her expertise in crafting engaging narratives and utilizing digital tactics to boost brand visibility across various sectors. With almost ten years of experience, she has collaborated with a range of clients, from emerging startups to well-established corporations. Her proficiency encompasses content creation, brand development, and strategic campaign planning. Throughout her career, Katie has made significant contributions to numerous organizations, showcasing her leadership in thought leadership, sales enablement, email campaigns, and B2B marketing, excelling in roles such as consultant, content marketing manager, and head of marketing.

• Creative content strategy approaches
• Overcoming fear of risk in creative content
• Memorable brand activations and campaigns

Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl hosts Katie DeMatteis, an expert in content marketing with over 11 years of experience in gaming, cybersecurity, and B2B tech. Discussing creative content strategy, highlighting the importance of testing unconventional ideas through A/B experiments. Katie addresses the fear of risk in creative content, advocating for starting small and validating ideas before scaling

Mackenzie Jackson is the CEO & Co-Founder of Alliance Studio which was founded in 2019. She is also operating within Epic Games Support a Creator Partner program, contributing to the development and design featured on Fortnite's expanding Creative Platform. Collaborating with external marketing firms and brands, she spearhead campaigns tailored to enhance the Fortnite Creative landscape.

What You'll Learn:

• Personal challenges and community support
• Insights into the transformation of gaming culture and community dynamics
• Exploration of Fortnite's innovative methods for brand engagement and community building
• Potential collaborations with industry leaders

Episode Overview:

In this episode of Pixel Retentive Podcast, Ross and Carl invite Mackenzie Jackson. She talks about her own Fortnite experience in 2018 starting from becoming a member of the game to establishing her studio in 2019; she also shares her thoughts on how it changed over that time, as well as its difficulties. In the same vein, it reveals how gaming culture has been transformed into a breeding ground for gaming creators and how Fortnite brand collaborations have revolutionized marketing.

Ben Burns is a designer, entrepreneur, author, and leader who currently serves as COO at The Futur. Before joining The Futur, he founded Burnt Creative, a brand experience agency in Richmond, Virginia, and served as Vice President on the executive board of the Richmond AIGA chapter. With a BA in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and a Masters Certificate in Cyber Security from Armstrong Atlantic University, Ben has collaborated with brands like DreamWorks, Paramount Pictures, AMC, TBS, Team USA, Laika, and Hyatt, along with several startups.

What You'll Learn:

• The role and impact of AI in the creative process.
• Strategies to unlock and nurture creativity.
• Insights on valuing and pricing creative work.
• Recommendations from Ben Burns for resources and creators to follow.

Episode Overview:

In the Pixel Retentive Podcast episode with Ben Burns, Carl and John discuss the impact of AI on creativity, emphasizing the importance of leveraging AI tools without replacing human creativity. Ben, Carl, and John share insights on nurturing creativity, removing performance pressure, and valuing creative work appropriately, noting the challenge of finding clients who appreciate the creator's value.

Mark Jamnik offers a unique and interactive approach to abstract art through his innovative Subliminal Story Art, which connects below the threshold of consciousness, drawing inspiration from everyday life. With a mission to make art more approachable and meaningful, he engages corporate teams and entrepreneurs by embedding their contributions and values into custom artworks. A seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background, Mark has also coached over 400 CEOs and sales professionals globally, honing his strategies and fueling his creativity through various passions, including skiing and meditation.

What You'll Learn:

• The distinction between selling and genuine connection
• The concept and practice of subliminal story art
• The value of authenticity in business relationships
• The significance of mentorship and community support

In This Episode:
In this enlightening episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, hosts Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa engage in a profound discussion with Mark Jamnik on the art of building intentional business relationships. They explore the nuances of connecting authentically in the creative industry and the importance of mentorship and community.

Ryan Summers, originally set to become a chemical engineer, was inspired by Jurassic Park and Toy Story to pursue a career in animation. He has worked as a character animator on children's videos, created visuals for industry-leading slot machines, and designed opening titles for top-rated TV shows and popular feature films. Currently, Ryan is the Creative Director at SPILLT, specializing in creative direction and team-building across animation, live-action, and experiential projects.

What You'll Learn:
• Industry Challenges
• Balancing Act
• Brand Focus
• Creative Identity

In This Episode:
In this engaging episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, hosts Carl and Ross catch up on life and dive into a wide-ranging conversation with special guest Ryan Summers. They explore the challenges facing the motion design industry, the balance between creative pursuits and business needs, and the evolving focus of their own company, Epic Made. Gain valuable insights into sustaining creativity and redefining success in the post-pandemic landscape.

Kristen Plescow, an illustrator and educator on sabbatical from full-time freelance work, joins the Pixel Retentive Podcast. She shares her journey from the furry art community to traditional fantasy illustration and discusses the challenges and opportunities posed by AI in the art industry. Emphasizing the importance of foundational art skills, Kristen reflects on her teaching experience and advocates for a well-rounded approach to artistic development.

What You'll Learn:

• AI in Art
• Art Fundamentals
• Diverse Inspirations

In This Episode:
Join hosts Carl and Kira in this enlightening episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast as they sit down with illustrator and educator Kristen Plescow. Exploring Kristen's diverse background, the impact of AI on the art industry, and the importance of foundational art skills. Discover valuable insights into balancing tradition and technology in the evolving creative landscape.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl is joined by guests Pamela Bebry and Olivia Combemale to explore the intricacies of licensing versus collaborations in the creative industry. They delve into the differences, legal considerations, strategies, and the emerging opportunities within Web3 and the metaverse.

What You'll Learn:

• The key differences between traditional licensing models and brand collaborations
• Legal considerations crucial to successful collaborations
• Effective strategies for establishing brand partnerships
• Opportunities and potentials within Web3 and the metaverse for brand collaborations

In this Episode:

We explored the evolving landscape of traditional licensing versus brand collaborations. Diving into the legal intricacies of collaborations, from intellectual property rights to brand alignment and the need for clear goals and finding partners with similar audiences to boost customer loyalty and meet strategic aims.

Lee-Sean Huang is a designer, artist, and educator. In 2013, he co-founded Foossa, a service design and strategy practice. Since then, he has worked with communities and organizations worldwide to tackle social innovation challenges. Currently, he is the Senior Director of Learning and Programs at AIGA, the oldest and largest professional design association in the U.S. His artistic endeavors span performance, audio/video, and digital media, with a current focus on street photography and environmental portraiture, inspired by his ethnographic research and documentation work.

What You'll Learn:

• Conversational style
• Bridging gap
• Power skills
• Teaching approach

In This Episode:

Join us as Lee-Sean Huang shares his insights on the evolving role of designers, emphasizing the importance of understanding clients, communicating value, and mastering essential soft skills. Learn about his unique teaching approach that fosters a growth mindset, the art of performing in client presentations, and the value of creative facilitation. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, this episode provides valuable lessons on enhancing your impact and navigating the complexities of the design profession.