Eric M. De Castro
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Senior Product Leader with over 14 years of experience driving strategy and innovation for eCommerce and digital media platforms. Expert in owning the end-to-end product lifecycle for cloud-based media workflows and AI-driven experiences. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver scalable software solutions for global studios and enterprise customers. Skilled in using data-driven narratives (PRFAQs) to align executive leadership and deliver high-impact customer experiences.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Software Product Management
FotoKem Industries Inc.
01.2010 - Current
- Product Strategy & Vision: Own the end-to-end product vision and multi-year roadmap for software platforms supporting digital media workflows for global studio and content-owner customers.
- Executive Alignment: Drive strategic alignment with senior leadership through the creation of narratives, roadmap artifacts, and KPI reporting to secure investment and influence platform direction.
- Requirement Definition: Translate complex media operations requirements into detailed PRFAQs, user stories, and product specifications for web and cloud capabilities.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead engineering, UX, operations, and post-production teams from concept to scalable deployment, effectively managing tradeoffs between customer impact and technical constraints.
- Operational Optimization: Leverage data analytics and operational KPIs to prioritize backlogs, resulting in continuous improvements in cycle time, asset quality, and system reliability.
- Launch Management: Oversee launch planning and post-launch optimization for new features and services deployed across multiple sites and regions.
- Innovation: Led the strategy for internal and customer-facing platforms that streamlined digital media workflows, significantly improving throughput and client satisfaction.
Co-Founder & Product / Technology Leader
Halo Nine / Halo Media / MESoft / Netgateway
01.2001 - 01.2010
- Venture Leadership: Co-founded and shaped product strategy for multiple digital media and eCommerce ventures, delivering all-digital workflow platforms serving broadcasters and digital content creators.
- User Experience (UX): Directed UX and UI design for web applications—from creator tools to admin dashboards—ensuring intuitive, high-adoption customer experiences.
- Platform Stability: Managed system stability and feature prioritization for enterprise media platforms operating in high-availability environments.
- Go-to-Market: Led marketing and GTM efforts, including proposals and presentations, successfully securing engagements with major studios and media organizations.
Senior Consultant / Program Director - Digital & ECommerce Solutions
Rainbow Technologies’ Spectria
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Senior Consultant/Program Director
Created and set strategy for service packages. Managed team of 15 developers. Co-authored company’s solutions delivery methodologies and engagement lifecycle processes. Assisted in development of the company-wide Program Management Office (PMO). Received Outstanding Team Growth Award for work ethic and client management skills.
Key projects included:
LERETA Tax and Flood – Led technology solutions and replacement projects for national tax service and flood hazard certification company. Directed mainframe integration and online XML transactions using Windows 2000 Server, SQL Server 2000, MSMQ, COM, Host Integration Server, BizTalk Server, and .NET architecture/technologies.
CompuLaw – Drove development of a date calculation application and a Lotus Notes interface into existing CompuLaw product using XML, Microsoft servers, and existing Lotus APIs.
Pepperdine University – Served as major engagement lead for projects including Pepperdine’s multi-million instructional portal solution for the Graziadio School of Business and Management created with Host Integration Server, eRoom Document Collaboration, and Plumtree Corporate Portal.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications in Film & Television
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
Fullerton, CA06.1994
Skills
- Product Strategy: Product Vision & Roadmapping, Lifecycle Management, GTM Strategy, Agile/Scrum
- Domain Expertise: eCommerce, Digital Media Supply Chain, Cloud Content Workflows, Digital Asset Management
- Technical & AI: PRFAQs & User Stories, KPI Definition, AI-Assisted Discovery (ChatGPT, Claude), SQL-based Analytics
- Tools: Jira, Confluence, Microsoft 365, Notion, Google Workspace
Languages
Tagalog
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director, Software Product Management
FotoKem Industries Inc.
01.2010 - Current
Co-Founder & Product / Technology Leader
Halo Nine / Halo Media / MESoft / Netgateway
01.2001 - 01.2010
Senior Consultant / Program Director - Digital & ECommerce Solutions
Rainbow Technologies’ Spectria
01.1999 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Communications in Film & Television
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)