David Stowe
Brand Marketing & Strategy Leader · Encore Toy Co.
Santa Monica, CA
In My Own Words
I’m a senior brand and product marketing leader with over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, product development, and go-to-market execution across consumer goods, entertainment, fashion, and collectibles. I specialize in blending creative direction with business strategy to launch products, build partnerships, and drive measurable growth.
I’ve founded and scaled a globally recognized DTC brand, launched more than 400 consumer products across hard goods, soft goods, and apparel, and led global campaigns for licensed collectibles. My work spans brand management, category strategy, portfolio and SKU mix planning, licensing and IP management, and cross-functional team leadership.
Highlights include owning full P&L for licensed product lines, managing complex multi-SKU portfolios, negotiating over 150 licensing agreements, delivering high-performing launches with no marketing budget, and producing campaigns that generated up to $100K in sales within minutes. I’ve built go-to-market strategies, localized global campaigns, optimized e-commerce platforms for conversion and AOV growth, and collaborated with world-renowned artists, brands, and IPs to create products and experiences that resonate worldwide.
Core strengths: • Brand strategy and positioning • Product development and lifecycle management • Category management and merchandising strategy • Campaign planning and execution • Licensing, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement • Marketing asset production (digital, print, packaging) • E-commerce optimization and analytics • Influencer and community-driven marketing
I’m open to opportunities in brand management, product marketing, category management, and brand partnerships, with a focus on companies where design, commerce, and culture intersect to create meaningful consumer experiences.
Work Experience
Creative Director & Head of Brand and Product Marketing
Encore Toy Co.2024 – Present
Dual role leading brand strategy, product marketing, and go-to-market execution for licensed consumer product lines in the collectibles, apparel, and entertainment merchandise categories. Manage category mixes and direct cross-functional creative and operational workflows from concept through launch, ensuring profitability, brand integrity, and market impact. P&L and Commercial Strategy: Oversee budgets, forecasting, pricing, and ROI analysis to guide production planning, marketing investment, and resource allocation. High-Impact Launch Leadership: Delivered record-breaking campaigns, including six-figure sales within two minutes without paid media, through precise GTM timing and targeted fan activation. Category Management: Build product strategies across hard goods and soft goods, managing SKU mix, category performance, and seasonal release calendars to maximize revenue and margin. Licensing and Partnerships: Negotiate and manage agreements with global IP holders, brands, and artists, overseeing all legal, creative, and operational approvals to ensure compliance and strengthen relationships. Product Development: Lead creation from concept through design, sourcing, prototyping, manufacturing, packaging, and QA/QC, ensuring consumer appeal and production efficiency. Accelerated Campaigns: Directed a Kickstarter launch built in 17 days that exceeded its funding goal and earned top-tier placement on Kickstarter.com. Cost Optimization: Designed packaging and production systems that reduced the cost of goods by 25% while improving margins and maintaining quality. Community Marketing: Developed influencer and fan engagement strategies that increased pre-orders by 60% and built long-term loyalty without paid advertising. Creative Leadership: Direct illustrators, designers, 3D artists, video editors, and creators to produce cohesive motion, digital, and print assets that elevate brand storytelling.
Founder & Director of Brand, Product, and Partnership Strategy
Vannen, Inc.2009 – Present
Founder and brand architect of a globally recognized DTC collectibles company. Led all brand, product, and partnership strategy for over 400 limited-edition releases, combining creative leadership with cultural relevance and high-impact go-to-market execution. Product Innovation & Design: Developed over 400 collectible watches, skateboards, accessories and apparel in collaboration with global artists and musicians. Directed creative across product, packaging, and collateral to ensure alignment with brand voice and audience demand. Oversaw sustainable production and quality control across international vendors. Go-to-Market & Campaign Strategy: Created launch strategies that achieved almost a 98% sell-through within the first 24 hours. Built and executed email, social, and influencer campaigns to scale audience reach with minimal paid media. Managed timed product drops, seasonal launches, and artist-driven event activations. Licensing & Strategic Partnerships: Negotiated and executed 150+ licensing deals with artists, brands, and entertainment properties. Built long-term partnerships that expanded brand reach, credibility, and customer base. E-Commerce & Customer Experience: Built and managed a high-performing Shopify storefront with optimized UX, SEO, copy, and merchandising. Handled end-to-end fulfillment, returns, and customer communication to ensure loyalty and retention. Experiential & Brand Building: Produced sold-out events including concerts, film premieres, and gallery shows to increase engagement. Developed storytelling frameworks that built a passionate fan community and reinforced brand identity.
Digital Content Manager & Creative Designer
Starworks Artists / SWA2010 – 2013
Oversaw digital content strategy, creative design, and UX planning for a top-tier agency representing celebrity stylists, makeup artists, and talent. Elevated the agency’s digital presence by leading brand-aligned content development and portfolio optimization. Content Strategy & Visual Branding: Designed and produced branded marketing assets including pitch decks, press kits, digital portfolios, and email campaigns. Implemented SEO-informed content strategies that increased search visibility and artist booking inquiries by over 30%. Developed visual standards and design systems to ensure consistency across all digital and print materials. Digital Asset Management & Stakeholder Collaboration: Curated high-resolution image and video libraries for internal and external use, ensuring assets were campaign-ready. Collaborated closely with agents, artists, and reps to maintain updated, market-ready portfolios that aligned with industry trends. UX Planning & Web Design: Planned the structure and functionality of a custom portfolio website, designing intuitive wireframes and user flows. Created UI layouts that prioritized usability and visual clarity, ensuring an engaging and streamlined discovery experience. Partnered with developers to execute site functionality that matched brand vision and performance goals.
Senior Digital Designer
Webquest Inc2006 – 2009
Led UX design, e-commerce optimization, and digital branding for entertainment and media-focused clients. Owned the visual and strategic execution of websites, storefronts, and marketing assets — blending user-centered design with business objectives to improve engagement and revenue. UX/UI Design & Web Architecture: Designed user journeys, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and prototypes for responsive websites and e-commerce platforms. Developed user flow diagrams and site maps to support scalable information architecture across entertainment-focused projects. Implemented design systems with reusable UI components, ensuring consistency across web and mobile interfaces. Partnered with developers to guide front-end implementation, ensuring that visual intent and UX functionality were preserved. E-Commerce Optimization & Conversion Strategy: Designed and optimized multiple e-commerce storefronts, increasing user engagement by 30% and boosting sales by 20% within six months. Led A/B testing initiatives to improve CTA placement, layout hierarchy, and purchase funnel performance. Reduced bounce rates by 25% through UX refinements, improved page speed, and streamlined checkout design. Branding & Visual Systems: Created comprehensive digital branding packages, including typography systems, iconography, and design templates. Produced marketing visuals and landing page assets that aligned with campaign goals and client messaging. Delivered brand-consistent designs across banners, email campaigns, microsites, and print collateral. Collaboration & Workflow Management: Worked cross-functionally with developers, project managers, and content strategists to meet tight timelines and complex specs. Served as a client-facing design lead, translating stakeholder input into actionable UX solutions and visual deliverables. Stayed current with design trends, usability standards, and accessibility best practices (including WCAG).
Art Director & Production Manager
Triumvirate2005 – 2006
Led visual identity and marketing design for multiple DVD and home entertainment product lines. Focused on creative execution, product presentation, and cross-functional coordination to improve consumer appeal and retail performance. Creative Direction & Visual Design: Directed the design and production of DVD packaging, key art, DVD menus, posters, ads, and promotional merchandise. Revamped visual identities for underperforming titles, increasing perceived value and retail marketability. Applied expert-level typography, composition, and photo editing to align with genre-specific aesthetic and audience expectations. Marketing & Brand Positioning: Worked with producers and marketing teams to tailor creative to distribution strategy, audience segment, and sales channel Designed marketing assets that aligned with retail specifications and boosted title visibility at point of sale. Vendor & Distribution Collaboration: Coordinated with domestic and international distributors to ensure branding compliance and market readiness: Managed relationships with print vendors and production partners, overseeing file prep and delivery under tight timelines.
Art Director & Production Manager
Watermark2002 – 2005
Led the creative direction, production, and brand execution for a 68-page biweekly lifestyle publication with national distribution. Oversaw design, layout, and marketing collateral while managing cross-functional contributors and ensuring timely delivery under fast-paced editorial cycles. Editorial Design & Visual Direction: Designed full print issues including covers, feature layouts, editorial sections, and ad pages with attention to hierarchy, typography, and narrative flow. Set visual standards for the publication’s identity, evolving the brand aesthetic across both print and digital platforms. Art directed photo shoots and managed a team of freelance photographers, illustrators, and junior designers. Production Management & Workflow Optimization: Managed full production pipeline — from file setup and prepress to printer coordination and delivery. Established processes for layout consistency, file accuracy, and on-time publication. Handled final file prep, color correction, and quality control for each issue. Marketing Design & Collateral Creation: Produced advertising materials, event promotions, media kits, and cross-platform marketing tools. Collaborated with sales and circulation teams to design campaigns that supported ad revenue and reader growth. Brand Expansion & Team Leadership: Helped evolve the publication’s brand voice to better reflect its growing audience and cultural relevance. Mentored junior designers and interns, fostering a fast-moving but collaborative creative environment.
Graphic Designer
Proforma Allied2000 – 2002
Provided full-cycle design and brand support for clients across retail, hospitality, and consumer goods. Delivered cohesive creative solutions across packaging, signage, apparel, and print marketing materials. Multi-Channel Visual Design: Designed full-color layouts, brochures, logos, promotional items, product packaging, and branded apparel. Adapted visual assets across multiple formats including print, signage, merchandise, and digital collateral. Produced mockups and press-ready files for screen, offset, and digital print workflows Client Collaboration and Brand Development: Worked directly with clients to develop logos and branding elements for new and existing businesses. Delivered design presentations, incorporated client feedback, and aligned visuals with brand objectives. Managed multiple design projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality and consistency. Production and Vendor Coordination: Prepared files for prepress, ensuring accuracy in color, resolution, and layout. Collaborated with print vendors to troubleshoot technical issues and ensure final output matched design intent.
Graphic Designer
T & T, Inc.1999 – 2000
Designed marketing and brand collateral for regional clients in industries including service, retail, food, events, and entertainment. Balanced creative development with production responsibilities in a deadline-driven environment. Creative Design and Layout: Created posters, newsletters, logos, advertisements, signage, menus, and apparel graphics. Developed visual identities for small business clients, including logo design and supporting visual elements. Maintained brand consistency across various materials and campaigns. Production Workflow and Delivery: Managed the full design lifecycle from concept to print-ready output. Prepared files for production and worked with vendors to ensure specifications and timelines were met. Foundational Skill Building: Gained fluency in Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Built strong habits in layout structure, typography, visual hierarchy, and file organization.