Brian Higgins
Creative Director
SLC,UT
Summary
Dynamic and versatile professional with expertise in internal and external communications, program development, and leadership within creative and nonprofit sectors. Adept at implementing efficient practices, spearheading change initiatives, and fostering meaningful relationships with staff, clients, and vendors. Passionate about solving complex challenges with innovative solutions, I thrive in creating impactful strategies that drive growth and community engagement. Check out one of my TEDx talks on innovation through pressure and building bridges in community and semiotic communication for a deeper understanding of my approach to creative problem-solving! Highly creative Marketing Manager with expertise in transforming marketing and advertising strategies into desired results. Leads teams in developing profitable campaigns. Marketing metrics knowledge and collaborative skills supports achievement of targeted outcomes.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Creative Director
Mental Healthy F.i.T.
SLC , UT
01.2013 - Current
Company Overview: Community Building & Creative Education Nonprofit
- Lead campaign development, outreach, and PR communication materials to effectively promote organizational initiatives.
- Establish and nurture robust client base through ongoing relationship management.
- Design and deliver impactful training sessions and presentations to engage diverse audiences.
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive community engagement and organizational growth.
- Spearhead instructional design to ensure high-quality, accessible educational programming.
- Foster innovative advancements to enhance program effectiveness and community impact.
- Oversee project and event management to ensure seamless execution of initiatives.
- Develop and manage grant strategies, foundation partnerships, and major donor relations to secure funding for sustainable growth.
Marketing Manager
Tread Lightly!
SLC, UT
01.2015 - Current
Company Overview: Education and Stewardship Nonprofit
- Create and execute dynamic outreach and educational media strategies.
- Develop and manage national and local campaigns focused on education and environmental stewardship.
- Cultivate strong media relations to amplify messaging and expand reach.
- Produce high-quality communications that effectively engage and inform target audiences.
- Enhance and refine the organization’s established vision through strategic initiatives.
- Collaborate with state, national, and private sector partners to drive impact.
- Design innovative campaign messaging to connect with diverse communities.
- Lead strategy, development, and implementation of initiatives that promote education and environmental sustainability.
- Boost sales performance through the creation of engaging promotional materials and targeted advertising strategies.
- Boost brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
Utah Director
48 Hour Film Project
SLC, UT
01.2010 - Current
Company Overview: Community Building Events (seasonal)
- Lead the development and production of community-building events and campaigns, ensuring effective execution.
- Drive social media awareness and communication to engage target audiences.
- Oversee the attraction and retention of participants and volunteers through strategic outreach and engagement.
- Deliver innovative presentations to communicate key messages and organizational goals.
- Secure sponsorships and other funding sources to support event and program initiatives.
- Manage PR and corporate communications to enhance organizational visibility and reputation.
- Build and execute targeted marketing campaigns to promote events and initiatives.
- Oversee event management from planning through execution, ensuring seamless delivery of community-focused events.
- Coordinate seasonal community-building events to foster engagement and collaboration.
Education
BS - Design and Communication Engineering
North Down College
United KingdomSkills
- Adobe Creative Suite
Artificial Intelligence
- Business and Brand Development
- Communications
- Content creator
- Creative Lead Generation
- Creative Team Leadership
- Creative Troubleshooting
- Cradle to Grave Product Cycle
- Customer Acquisition
- Digital and Traditional Multimedia Production Management
- Digital Marketing
- Events
- Fundraising
- Inspiration and Motivation
- Internal/External Relations and Partner Development
- Presentations & Pitches
- Public Relations
- Public Speaking
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Media Platforms
- Strategic Communications
Award Winning
- Mental Health Utah Empowerment
- Profile in Excellence for Conflict Resolution
- Steelcase Product Launch Campaign
- National Education Awareness Cultural Award
- Community Stewardship Development
- Governor appointed Homeless Action Council
Accomplishments
- Advocacy: Developed state-supported mental health and recovery advocacy campaigns as a member of the Governor’s Homeless Action Council. Co-developed the 028 Community Connections program with Tony Campolo, promoting community engagement and support.
- DEIB Integration: Created inclusive programs such as Movies Making Sense, Mental Healthy Mentors, and Create Space, expanding arts access for marginalized communities and ensuring accessibility for those in need at treatment centers and schools.
- Financial Management: Managed fundraising for operating budgets and program initiatives, securing funding from major donors, federal grants (e.g., Larry H. Miller, Eccles Foundations), and state agencies. Projects included Labeled Fest and Respect and Protect with the Bureau of Land Management.
- Marketing, Graphic Art & Website Design: Led the redesign and launch of multiple nonprofit websites, integrating graphics, video, and grassroots communication strategies. Improved user experience and engagement, resulting in sustained growth in public interaction and analytics.
- Partnerships: Secured six-figure funding through national and local partnerships with organizations like the U.S. Forest Service, Jeep, and Toyota. Established collaborations with local groups such as First Step House and the Utah Arts Alliance to drive community initiatives.
- Program Development: Designed and implemented community-building programs addressing mental health, recovery, and youth empowerment, including educational film and expression festivals.
- Strategic Leadership & Vision: Developed programs like Create Perspective and Focus on Fests for homeless youth, offering bi-weekly workshops. Amplified diverse voices through projects with PBS and Ken Burns’ Hiding in Plain Sight on Youth Mental Health.
Certification
Business Interaction Development
Timeline
Marketing Manager
Tread Lightly!
01.2015 - Current
Creative Director
Mental Healthy F.i.T.
01.2013 - Current
Utah Director
48 Hour Film Project
01.2010 - Current
BS - Design and Communication Engineering
North Down College