Mario Foresta
San Clemente,CA
Summary
Award-winning Creative Director and Brand Strategist with 15+ years of experience leading design, marketing, and brand development for global lifestyle, sportswear, and fashion brands, and consumer brands. Proven success managing multidisciplinary creative teams, delivering 360 campaigns, and aligning design innovation with strategic business goals. Expert in fusing storytelling with design to elevate brand presence across digital and retail channels. Certified Digital Marketing Professional with deep knowledge of visual identity systems, product marketing, and digital-first campaigns. Passionate about mentoring talent, building creative culture, and delivering impactful user-centered solutions.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Art Director
Fluidra North America
01.2024 - Current
- Direct all visual communications across B2B and B2C channels.
- Managed creative workflow for digital ads, packaging, and print collateral.
- Lead team of designers and vendors to deliver cohesive brand visuals.
- Led rebranding initiatives that effectively communicated company values while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic appeal.
Director of Marketing & Creative
Bay-Labs
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Oversaw integrated marketing strategy, visual identity, and cross-channel campaigns
- Aligned creative direction with product innovation and consumer insights
- Manage internal and external teams; lead content creation and creative operations
- Track performance KPIs and adjust creative strategy to optimize engagement
- Developed comprehensive marketing plans in alignment with overall business goals and objectives.
Creative Director
Torch Enterprise
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Defined brand architecture and visual standards across multiple consumer products.
- Built and scaled in-house creative team; developed omnichannel campaigns.
- Drove go-to-market strategy and visual storytelling across packaging, digital, and retail.
- Elevated brand monthly revenue from 2.5 - 20m
- Managed campaigns with specific focuses in order to meet customer needs and creative visions.
Senior Design Manager
New Era Cap
01.2006 - 01.2020
- Led 360 creative for over 200 clients in the sports, music, and fashion industries.
- Mentored a high-performing design team; managed project pipeline and timelines.
- Led cross-functional efforts on launches, campaigns, and retail activations.
- Recognized globally as a top design leader within the company.
- Mentored junior designers, providing guidance for professional growth and development within the company.
Education
Digital Marketing Professional -
Digital Marketing Institute, American Marketing Association
01.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Art, Minor in Art History
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA01.2004
High School -
La Salle High School
Pasadena, CA01.2000
Skills
- Design Leadership & Mentoring
- AI (MidJourney / RunwayML / Flow / ChatGPT)
- Creative direction
- Adobe creative suite
- Concept development
- Advertising campaigns
- Digital media design
- Packaging design
Certification
- Korn + Ferry Leadership University Professional Certificate - 2025
- Membership – AIGA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Sustaining Member 2021 - Present
- William Dole Memorial Award for Excellence in Arts, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2001
Websites
TESTIMONIAL
"Mario has managed our Design Department since 2006, and I have personally witnessed his ability to grow his department and mentor his team. Over the last 15 years, it has been a pleasure to watch Mario evolve into a leader, a creative force, and into one of our top designers globally" - Jim Grundtsch | EVP, New Era Cap
Timeline
Art Director
Fluidra North America
01.2024 - Current
Director of Marketing & Creative
Bay-Labs
01.2023 - 01.2024
Creative Director
Torch Enterprise
01.2021 - 01.2023
Senior Design Manager
New Era Cap
01.2006 - 01.2020
Digital Marketing Professional -
Digital Marketing Institute, American Marketing Association
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Art, Minor in Art History
University of California, Santa Barbara
High School -
La Salle High School
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