Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Timeline
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Matt Montgomery

Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven Operations Manager and Creative Director with a distinctive background in both music business, pop culture, and graphic design, specializing in merchandise and marketing. Skilled in optimizing retail operations, implementing effective marketing strategies, and enhancing product visibility to achieve substantial revenue growth. Dedicated to creating impactful collaborations and delivering bottom-line results in the dynamic world of entertainment. Deep understanding of retail operations, and extensive knowledge of toys and collectables.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Creative Director

Dragon Crowd
03.2024 - 10.2024

Creative Vision and Leadership Product Development Brand Strategy and Marketing

  • Developed and oversaw the creative vision, aligning with the multiple brand identities that merged music and fashion.
  • Inspired and led design teams to create innovative, music-inspired fashion collections.
  • Ensured cohesive storytelling across all design and branding efforts.
  • Guided the conceptualization of apparel and accessories that reflected the brand aesthetic.
  • Collaborated with product designers to integrate musical themes, symbols, and cultural influences into designs.
  • Maintained quality and innovation in materials and production techniques.
  • Shaped the overall branding strategy to resonate with music culture and fashion enthusiasts.
  • Worked closely with marketing teams to design campaigns that visually and emotionally connected with the target audience.
  • Monitored trends in music and fashion to keep the brands relevant and ahead of competitors.

Creative Director

Party Monster LLC
08.2016 - Current
  • Led and managed team of graphic designers to create contemporary and visually appealing merchandise designs. Clients include but not limited to: Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner Bros, Roadrunner Records, SPV, Bravado, Signatures, Global.
  • Oversaw end-to-end project management of merch design initiatives, from concept development to production.
  • Conceptualized and led development of interactive mobile games that captivated fans, resulting in significant increase in user engagement and brand loyalty.
  • Successfully transformed developed music-related game technologies into licensable framework, making it accessible for game developers and studios to incorporate musical elements into their projects. Ex: Co-designed new arcade style marketing platform and framework for licensable branding, data capture, and promotion.
  • Fostered creative and collaborative work environment, inspiring team members to push boundaries and consistently deliver high-quality, fan-centric mobile games.

Artist Marketing Director

Freelance
05.2006 - Current
  • Developed and executed comprehensive marketing strategies for live music events, resulting in increased ticket sales and higher attendance rates. Clients include but not limited to: Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner Bros, Roadrunner Records, SPV.
  • Established and maintained strong relationships with artists, bands, and event promoters to effectively promote and market live music shows and festivals.
  • Successfully coordinated promotional campaigns, including digital advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, and grassroots outreach, to maximize event visibility and engagement.
  • Conducted post-event analysis to evaluate effectiveness of marketing strategies and identify areas for improvement, leading to data-driven refinements for future campaigns.
  • Ex: While working with SPV records Euro team in 2008, I was able to help lead Alice Cooper to his highest charting album and most successful tour in 18 years. We were able to apply knowledge we learned to future releases and concerns promotions.

Graphic Designer

Freelance
03.2005 - Current
  • Collaborated closely with artists, managers, and merchandisers to bring merchandise concepts to life, ensuring seamless integration of design elements and production requirements. Clients include but not limited to: Bravado, Global Merchandising, Signatures, Hi-Fidelity, Sony, Century Media.
  • Worked with printing and manufacturing vendors to ensure accurate production of merchandise, maintaining brand consistency and quality control throughout production process.
  • Created album artwork and packaging design for music releases, contributing to visual storytelling of each album and enhancing its marketability.
  • Conducted photo editing and manipulation, typography, and color grading to achieve cohesive and impactful album visuals.

Video Director / Editor

Freelance
05.2007 - Current
  • Directed and produced music videos for various artists, bands, and record labels, delivering high-quality visual content that aligned with the artist's vision and brand identity. Clients include but not limited too: Gibson Guitars, Sony Music, Roadrunner Records, SPV Entertainment, Best Buy, Bigger Picture Group, Universal.
  • Collaborated closely with musicians, managers, and creative teams to conceptualize video concepts, storyboards, and shot lists, ensuring a cohesive and compelling visual narrative. Ex: While working with the Gibson TV Team in 2021 on the 'ICONS' series, the Dave Mustaine episode won best music documentary at the Telly Awards .
  • Managed all aspects of video production, including location scouting, casting, crew coordination, and equipment logistics, to ensure smooth and successful shoots.
  • Edited and delivered videos within specified deadlines and budget constraints, consistently meeting or exceeding client expectations.
  • Collaborated with marketing teams to ensure videos were optimized for various platforms, including YouTube, social media, and streaming services, resulting in increased views and engagement.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy

Operations Manager

Mars Music
10.1998 - 10.2002
  • Led and managed day-to-day operations of large retail store, overseeing team of 75+ employees and fostering culture of accountability and excellence.
  • Recruited, trained, and coached team members to excel in their roles, cultivating motivated and well-trained workforce.
  • Implemented effective inventory control strategies, optimizing stock levels, reducing overstock situations, and ensuring product availability for customers.
  • Established and maintained high standards of customer service, ensuring that associates provided exceptional assistance and resolved customer inquiries and issues promptly.
  • Developed and executed effective merchandising strategies, including product placement, signage, and promotional displays, to drive sales and enhance shopping experience.
  • Analyzed sales data and market trends to make informed decisions about product assortment and pricing, maximizing revenue and profit margins.
  • Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback, leading to improved employee engagement and retention
  • Negotiated vendor contracts and pricing agreements to secure favorable terms and reduce procurement costs.

Education

Associate of Arts - Music History, Literature, And Theory

University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX
05.1997

Skills

  • Operations Management
  • Team Leadership and Motivation
  • Client Relations and Communication
  • Talent Recruitment and Development
  • Graphic Design and Layout
  • Art Direction
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, etc)
  • Video Production, and Audio Editing Software (eg, Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, Logic Pro)
  • Typography

Timeline

Creative Director

Dragon Crowd
03.2024 - 10.2024

Creative Director

Party Monster LLC
08.2016 - Current

Video Director / Editor

Freelance
05.2007 - Current

Artist Marketing Director

Freelance
05.2006 - Current

Graphic Designer

Freelance
03.2005 - Current

Operations Manager

Mars Music
10.1998 - 10.2002

Associate of Arts - Music History, Literature, And Theory

University of Houston - Downtown
Matt Montgomery