{"id":464,"date":"2019-08-12T15:57:34","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T21:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/?page_id=464"},"modified":"2024-05-10T17:08:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T23:08:46","slug":"creative-marketing-bio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/?page_id=464","title":{"rendered":"Creative\/Marketing Bio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Executive Profile<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Eric K. Richards<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Comprehensive communications (and marketing) experience with blue-chip clients including agency ownership, advertising, art direction, graphic design, media buying, brand management, crisis communications, and direction of creative teams and production vendors. Over 25 years of award-winning brand building with an extensive background in publishing, corporate identity, local government communications, and marketing development. Implementation of print, digital, social, and web-based channels for more than 150 corporations and businesses including the financial, software, medical, food services, municipal, insurance, and manufacturing industries. Work has ranged from small local businesses and local government to regional and national companies with extensive marketing budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director of Marketing \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 November 2024 – Present
Granite Federal Credit Union<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Represent the credit union as the Director of Marketing to oversee advertising and communication strategies to build brand awareness and membership growth including depth of relationship. Built an in-house agency approach within in the department to streamline media buying for net savings to the credit union. Lead the marketing team as a creative director for advertising development, media buyer for all external communications channels, team lead for basecamp planning sessions, copywriter, and public information officer. Report conversion metrics and analytics to the executive team. Leading a team build of new intranet for Granite Credit Union including the development of content and module implementation. Interface with departments across the organization to improve user experience and create marketing funnels they can use to build business. Provide merchandising and marketing support for branch development and expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications Director \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2013 – October 2024
Sandy City<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Represented the city in various situations and maintained relationships with communication partners inside and outside the city. Supervised and performed numerous projects and initiatives relating to communications, marketing, branding, web development, copywriting, public relations, and intergovernmental relationships. Assisted Administration in promoting the city, the city brands, city operations, and city services to the general public. Roles included creative direction, concept development, city-citizen communication coordination, back-up Public Information Officer, media channels supervision, staff management, budget monitoring, partnership\/ departmental meeting representation and facilitator, city image and brand policing, editorial approval, crisis communications, and overarching design. Led an award-winning team of creatives and liaison with all city departments, branches of government, and neighboring jurisdictions. Served on many committees including South Valley Tourism, Healthy Sandy Partnership, The Cairns design group, Energy Action Plan Stakeholders, Historic Granite brand committee, events committees, and Beautification Day team. Directly created and developed programs and initiatives like Sustainable Sandy 360\u00b0, Sandy Adventures, SmartSandy, Slow Down Sandy, Sandy Safety Kids, and Cityology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional Director of Marketing                                       August 2011 \u2013 2013
Chartway Federal Credit Union<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the spring of 2011, Chartway purchased Utah Central and selected me to head up marketing functions for the entire Utah region while dissolving marketing functions at the other credit unions that they assumed. Many programs and ideas created at Utah Central were enthusiastically continued and supported by Chartway. Directed all marketing functions for Utah region divisions including media buying, advertising, alternative channels, social media, and MCIF tracking while coordinating all marketing efforts with corporate executives for the entire Chartway enterprise at the Virginia home office. Serve as a key player for crucial communications for converting SouthWest, HeritageWest, and Utah Central credit unions to the Chartway core system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vice President of Marketing                                             August 2006 \u2013 July 2011
Utah Central Credit Union<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directed all marketing\naffairs and operation of an in-house ad agency as a member of the Executive\nTeam. Created brand recognition and built and executed multiple campaigns.  Developed product and service categories to\nmeet the needs of various member segments and influenced member growth in top\n10% nationwide. Built onboarding and retention programs and shaped award-winning\nyouth services winning the CUNA Diamond Award represented by the best credit\nunions in the nation. Elevated the charitable arms of the credit union via\nraising marketing and promotional channels for Christmas Wishes (fulfilling\nneeds of hundreds of kids annual during the holidays), Angel\u2019s Hands Foundation\n(supporting children with rare diseases), as well as the Make A Wish Foundation\nand American Heart Association. Initiated the KSL Studio 5 monthly financial\nsegment and executed a 75th<\/sup> anniversary annual campaign. Additional\nduties included graphic design, ad compliance review, promotion scripting,\ntraining and cross-sell tool development, as well as merchandising creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President, Founder, and Creative Director               October 1996 \u2013 April 2006
Market Design Media, Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created hundreds of identities and branding tactics for small to large companies like Associated Food Stores, Ray Quinney & Nebeker, Salt Lake Board of Realtors, Zions Bank, 1-800-CONTACTS, Bellagio, and the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association. Built architectural back end for small to major web and digital projects and oversaw development of front-end creative and launch of these projects. Developed full-scale magazine projects for chambers of commerce and annual publications for the G8 Summit over an 8 year period featuring 8 different countries. Other publications included Feminine Fortunes, 2002 Winter Olympics Official Guide, and eXceed Magazine for teens in the western U.S. region. Conducted discovery and brand analysis for numerous corporations, and built creative strategies for a wide range of clients resulting in increased distribution (Beyond Borders expansion into Home Depots), increased sales (ARCOM architectural software and Giggle Bug kid safety device), and increased awareness (CareSource, the only in-house hospice in Utah). Lead teams to create relevant branding and marketing campaigns via print, web, and digital media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Experience:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000: Judge, Golden Spike Awards              
1993 – Present: Freelance Brand Development & Graphic Arts
1993 – 1996: Art Director, International Voyager Media          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RECOGNITION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022: Utah Public Information Officer Association, Communicator of the Year
2022: Best of State, Web-based Community Resource
2022: 3CMA Savvy Award: Best Use of Humor Marketing Tools – Mr. Do Right Bulk Waste
2022: Silver Circle – Digital Interactive\/Issue Specific Website – Sandy Adventures
2022: Award of Excellence – Digital Interactive\/Other Media – SandyNow! Chatbot
2020-21: 3CMA Savvy & Silver Circle Awards \u2013 Cityology Branding and Video Series
2020-21: 3CMA Savvy Award \u2013 Shop Sandy Campaign
2019: 3CMA Savvy Award \u2013 CityServe App Branding & Marketing
2019: Silver Circle Award \u2013 Resident Participation Campaign (Connect with Us)
2018: Award of Excellence \u2013 Bell Canyon Trail Initiative
2018: Award of Excellence \u2013 Fireworks Safety Education
2017: Outstanding Employee (Sandy City)
2017: 3CMA Savvy Award \u2013 Sandy City Map Illustration (support)
2017: Silver Circle Award \u2013 Meet The Mayor
2017: Silver Circle Award \u2013 Firefight Dress Up Artwork
2016: Savvy Award \u2013 Adventure Week
2016: 3CMA Award of Excellence \u2013 Sandy Safety Kids Graphic Design    
2015: Silver Circle Award \u2013 Folks with Fresh Ideas Video
2015: 3CMA Award of Excellence \u2013 SandyNow! Newsletter, Partnering for Success
2015: Silver Circle Award \u2013 The Cairns: Where Mountain Meets Urban
2014: 3CMA Award of Excellence \u2013 Sandy Facebook Content
2009: Gold Award \u2013 NAPA End-use Superiority and Best Innovation
2008: Utah Genius Awards \u2013 Utah Central Trademarking
2008: Diamond Awards \u2013 Youth Marketing Programs & Credit Card Designs  
2007: Employee of the Year \u2013 Marketing Director  
2003: Crystal Awards \u2013 2002 Olympic Guide  
2002: Crystal Awards \u2013 Feminine Fortunes Magazine  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EDUCATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Utah: BA Mass Communications & Film
FEMA Crisis Management Communications (PIO G290, G291, EO388 Advanced Public Information Officer, 100, 200, 700, 800, and G402 for senior officials)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Executive Profile Comprehensive communications (and marketing) experience with blue-chip clients including agency ownership, advertising, art direction, graphic design, media buying, brand management, crisis communications, and direction of creative teams and production vendors. Over 25 years of award-winning brand building with an extensive background in publishing, corporate identity, local government communications, and marketing development. Implementation of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/464"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=464"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1387,"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/464\/revisions\/1387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.erickrichards.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}