Open To Work
JOSE IBARRA
Summary
Emmy Award-winning Creative Director with 20+ years leading multimedia production in military and government sectors. Successfully integrated AI tools to enhance content workflows, resulting in timely delivery of compelling narratives that elevated strategic communications and drove engagement with defense audiences.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Communications & Creative Lead
Digital Recon
01.2025 - Current
- Lead creative direction and multimedia strategy for video, social, and executive communications to enhance audience engagement
- Develop messaging frameworks and narrative positioning tailored for defense and technology audiences, strengthening brand voice
- Collaborate with leadership and PR teams to align creative output with communications strategy
- Translate complex topics, including AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, into accessible, compelling narratives
- Analyzed engagement metrics to refine creative direction, providing actionable insights to senior leadership
Executive Communications Advisor | Founder
IbarraCreative
01.2025 - Current
- Developed concepts for executive video content, brand narratives, and thought leadership campaigns
- Directed creative vision and video strategy for executives during digital transformation
- Integrated AI tools into content workflows, enhancing production speed and creative iteration
Senior Public Affairs Specialist / Multimedia Producer
U.S. Army
01.2004 - 01.2025
- Key Assignments: American Forces Network, Office of the Secretary of Defense and NFL Fellowship
- Deployments: U.S., Europe, Korea, Africa, Afghanistan
- Led multimedia production and strategic communications for global assignments across multiple continents and theaters, enhancing operational messaging
- Directed video, photography, and digital content supporting senior leadership and operational messaging
- Managed cross-functional creative teams and led a deployed team in Afghanistan to deliver media support
- Developed content workflows and production systems to ensure consistent delivery, maintain quality, and uphold OPSEC compliance
- Delivered executive-level briefings on communication performance, audience engagement, and media impact, informing strategic decision-making
Production Director / Station Manager
American Forces Network (AFN)
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Directed global video production operations, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and quality standards.
- Managed production schedules and budgets while overseeing high-volume pipelines in a global DoD environment, facilitating timely project delivery
- Granted final approval for all broadcast and digital content to ensure quality and adherence to standards
- Led multidisciplinary creative teams to deliver innovative content solutions that met diverse client needs
Multimedia Producer
Office of the Secretary of Defense
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Produced high-visibility multimedia presentations for senior DoD leadership, enhancing communication of strategic initiatives
- Translated complex defense policy into clear, public-facing materials, improving stakeholder understanding and engagement
- Coordinated national-level messaging in sensitive environments, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and maintaining information integrity
Education
B.S. - Communications
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJBroadcast Journalism - Public Affairs
Defense Information School
Fort Meade, MDDocumentary Production -
Maine Media
Rockport, MEWeb / Multimedia Mgmt -
Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PASkills
- Executive Messaging
- Creative direction
- Content strategy
- Brand Standards & Messaging Frameworks
- Creative operations
- Stakeholder coordination
- Government & Defense Communications
- Multimedia production
- AI content production
- Quality Assurance & Final Product Approval
Core Capabilities
- Creative Direction & Team Leadership
- Creative Operations & Production Mgmt
- Multimedia Production (Broadcast/Digital/Social)
- Brand Standards & Messaging Frameworks
- Content Strategy & Narrative Development
- Stakeholder Coordination & Exec Alignment
- Government & Defense Communications
- AI-Driven Content Production
- Quality Assurance & Final Product Approval
Clearance
Secret Clearance (TS/SCI Eligible)
Accomplishments
- Emmy Award — Excellence in Broadcast Storytelling
- Thomas Jefferson Award — DoD Broadcast Journalist of the Year
- U.S. Army Broadcast Journalist of the Year
- Army Fellow — NFL Strategic Communications (2014-2015)
- Led creative teams of ~15 across high-volume multimedia campaigns
- ~95% on-time delivery across complex, global production pipelines
Ai And Creative Technology
- Generative AI tools for video and content production
- AI-assisted editing and workflow automation
- Content systems for rapid iteration and scalability
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workLocation Preference
On-SiteSalary Range
$170000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Executive Communications & Creative Lead
Digital Recon
01.2025 - Current
Executive Communications Advisor | Founder
IbarraCreative
01.2025 - Current
Production Director / Station Manager
American Forces Network (AFN)
01.2019 - 01.2022
Multimedia Producer
Office of the Secretary of Defense
01.2018 - 12.2018
Senior Public Affairs Specialist / Multimedia Producer
U.S. Army
01.2004 - 01.2025
B.S. - Communications
Thomas Edison State University
Broadcast Journalism - Public Affairs
Defense Information School
Documentary Production -
Maine Media
Web / Multimedia Mgmt -
Art Institute of Pittsburgh