Linda Castro
San Carlos,California
Summary
Creative strategist with 13+ years of elevating B2B and B2C brands through impactful storytelling and innovative direction. Passionate about driving growth, I excel at crafting visual strategies that resonate with audiences and achieve business goals. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, developing global design strategies, and executing multi-channel campaigns that deliver ROI. My approach blends strategic thinking, visual experimentation, customer insights, and data-driven analysis to foster authentic connections and measurable impact. Confident in building a positive, purpose-driven team environment, I create campaigns that resonate, engage, and drive brand success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Creative Director & Co-Founder
White Owl Designs
01.2020 - Current
- Led a small agency, empowering startups and corporations to accelerate their brand identity, digital presence, and Go-To-Market strategies
- Specializing in B2B and B2C markets, achieved a 28% year-over-year ROI growth through strategic branding and innovative visual storytelling
- Built, managed, and mentored a team of 10+ creatives, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence that resulted in 80% client retention
- Spearheaded the transformation of tech client brands by developing engaging digital experiences and boosting client engagement and conversion rates
- Developed integrated visual strategies using data-driven insights, A/B testing, and creative experimentation, enhancing digital presence and driving significant audience growth
Head of Brand Studio
Hirect One Inc.
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Directed creative vision and brand strategy, leading to a 25% increase in app users and 75% growth in social media followers through innovative marketing campaigns
- Implemented the company's first comprehensive brand guidelines, establishing a cohesive visual identity and brand voice across all channels
- Led cross-functional teams in executing high-impact marketing initiatives, including a successful OOH campaign resulting in 150K impressions and a 5% conversion rate
- Streamlined project management processes, reducing turnaround times by 30% and improving resource allocation and cross-functional collaboration efficiency
- Led Hirect's first Metaverse digital event, creating unique avatars and an interactive platform for brand engagement that strengthened customer relationships through immersive digital experiences that allow audiences to interact and network
Sr. Creative Manager
Western Digital Corp.
05.2016 - 01.2020
- Successfully led the consolidation and integration of five creative teams following an acquisition, resulting in a unified brand experience across all brands and improved operational efficiency
- Launched a unified brand identity framework and the One Store Website, leading to a significant revenue increase through strategic visual planning and e-commerce enhancements
- Pioneered Western Digital's first global multi-brand digital Channel marketing campaign, leveraging A/B testing to optimize product and marketing strategies and drive a significant increase in user engagement and sales
- Led the design, strategy, and development of global events and tradeshows for five Western Digital brands (WD, SanDisk, WD Black Gaming, G-Technology, Western Digital), drafting strategic, meaningful, and premium visuals, amplifying brand reach and awareness, and enhancing visibility, experiences, and brand stories for investor events, product announcements, brand awareness, and partnership summits across diverse markets
- Led and managed a cross-functional team of designers and project managers, fostering a positive collaborative environment and delivering high-quality creative assets across multiple channels
Creative Director
HGST, A Western Digital Brand
04.2011 - 05.2016
- Led the creative vision and direction for the G-Technology brand, with 40% year-over-year growth through innovative brand marketing campaigns and over 100 new global product launches
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive brand identity for the G-Technology brand, ensuring visual consistency across packaging, digital, and print channels, strengthening brand recognition, and increasing market trust and customer loyalty
- Launched the first responsive global e-commerce platform, improving user experience and boosting online engagement and sales
- Directed the creative development of globally integrated marketing campaigns, aligning creative vision with brand strategy, visual experimentation, target audience needs, and visual consistency
- Led G-Technology's creative direction and design production of global events, including product launches, brand awareness campaigns, ambassadors, investors, partner summits, and parties, establishing consistent, high-impact brand experiences across physical and digital platforms
Sr. Graphic Designer, Marketing Communications
SanDisk Inc.
03.2009 - 03.2011
- Developed and executed integrated marketing campaigns for global product launches, driving significant brand awareness and customer engagement
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams and external agencies to create impactful print and digital advertising, packaging, and in-store displays
- Streamlined creative production processes, reducing project lead times and ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints
- Directed environmental, lifestyle, and product photography to align with brand positioning and visual storytelling for 360 campaigns and product introductions
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Graphics and Multimedia
California State University East Bay
Hayward, CAContinuing Studies Certificate - Web-Enhanced
Stanford University
Stanford, CASkills
- Creative direction
- Global Expansion
- Team management
- Creative leadership
- Customer-Centric
- Storytelling
- Strategic thinking
- Visual Identity Creation
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Project Management
- Graphic design
- Data-Driven Marketing
- Brand Development
- Creative Operations
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Campaign development
Affiliations
- Painting
- Photography
- Travel
Accomplishments
- Employee of the Quarter at G-Technology, a brand of Western Digital
- Employee of the Quarter at SanDisk®
Timeline
Head of Brand Studio
Hirect One Inc.
01.2022 - 06.2022
Creative Director & Co-Founder
White Owl Designs
01.2020 - Current
Sr. Creative Manager
Western Digital Corp.
05.2016 - 01.2020
Creative Director
HGST, A Western Digital Brand
04.2011 - 05.2016
Sr. Graphic Designer, Marketing Communications
SanDisk Inc.
03.2009 - 03.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Graphics and Multimedia
California State University East Bay
Continuing Studies Certificate - Web-Enhanced
Stanford University
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