BARRETT J. LEIGH
New Hope
Summary
Dynamic Chief Creative and Innovation Officer with a proven track record at Matter Collective, driving a 400% growth cycle in the entertainment division. Expert in strategic planning and financial budgeting, leveraging data analysis and strong client service to deliver innovative solutions and enhance project outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Creative and Innovation Officer
Matter Collective
Atlanta
07.2023 - 10.2025
- Championed innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversaw financial budgeting and fiscal management to optimize resources.
- Directed strategic planning and implementation of organizational goals.
- Created plans to propose solutions to problems related to efficiency, costs or profits.
- Established a 400% growth cycle in the entertainment division, with strong seven-figure gains.
- Managed a roster of creatives, providing direction and leadership for both long-form and short-form content, as well as platforms.
- YouTube expert and data curator with custom IP that works alongside YouTube's algorithms.
Creative Director (Remote Contract)
Ideas United
01.2021 - 07.2022
- Worked partner facing on a variety of projects.
- Conceived strategy and created pitch decks and presented to potential partners.
- Creative lead on projects from inception to deployment.
- Directed and motivated art directors, copywriters, project managers, etc.
- Worked as a hands-on production partner and director during content filming and post production.
- Managed brand standards throughout content creation.
- Integrated a data-driven perspective and philosophy in client pitches as well as project design.
- Ideas United is a global creative company focused on changing the way stories are told.
Executive Producer / Digital Strategist
Gamma Blast Studios
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Developed and deployed a method for generating 80+ pieces of content in a day. Implemented for clients like Discovery, Universal Studios, Sony Pictures, Direct Auto Insurance, U.S. Army, and others.
- Increased company revenue by 40%.
- Created a new data-driven company offering; adding a new revenue stream.
- Transitioned the video production department into a data-first workflow.
- Constructed and implemented best production practices; increased workflow allowing for more time to start new client offerings.
- Developed and deployed an eLearning service currently used by several fortune 100 companies.
- Developed a 'formula' based writing system centered on storytelling methods applicable for social engagement, eLearning, and original content storytelling.
- Worked with other leads to convert the video department into a full 4K studio on both the production and post side.
- Introduced a customized production pipeline and new communication tools like resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency.
- Wrote hundreds of scripts, designed pitch decks, directed campaigns, produced multi-million dollar projects (and was always sure to bring lots of homemade baked goods in for the teams. A favorite weekend hobby).
- Gamma Blast Studios provided a unique opportunity to create and translate data-designed content within marketing and eLearning spaces.
Production Supervisor / Production Coordinator / Producer (>5M)
Universal Studios & Sony Pictures
01.2004 - 01.2018
- Built and managed domestic and global budgets ranging from $20m - $225m.
- Worked as a moderator between unions, guilds and film studios.
- Contracted over 100 crew members for every production.
- Lead in charge of budgeting and building projects in the U.S., West Indies, Japan, London, Germany, China, and Mexico.
- Communicated and negotiated complex issues with high-worth individuals, politicians, and celebrities.
- Facilitated the studio executives' needs, contract hires, unions and guilds, and local infrastructure workers to complete each feature film.
Creative Director / CTO
Dance Network
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Conceptualized and built a custom OTT, used growth hacking skills on their social media platforms, and delivered a state-of-the-art engagement-driven platform.
- Developed a customized social strategy inciting the fan base to grow 900% over six months.
- Developed and produced a podcast for customer traffic boasting 3,000 downloads per drop.
- Designed and deployed an original OTT streaming platform within a six-month delivery schedule.
- Produced 36 original streaming shows, 14 live events, 95 podcasts, two feature-length documentaries, and dozens of promos.
- Created the style tile and brand catalog for the company.
- Developed and deployed unique branded looks for Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire.
Lead Creative & Marketing Strategist
Farm Dog Creative Agency
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Developed a marketing and production strategy for studios to film in bulk and distributing to dozens of outlets (both online and live) worldwide.
- Brought the company from $100k in revenue to over $1.4m inside a year.
- Developed data tools for content creation which are still being used by several companies today.
- Original campaigns grossed hundreds of millions of views and high percentages of engagement for movies like 22 Jump Street, The Boss, Bridget Jones Baby, and others.
- Featured on national mainstream news with data-driven Alamo Drafthouse 'Don't Talk' campaign featuring Melissa McCarthy.
- Niche industry focus on the marketing side of domestic and international feature films.
Education
Bachelor - Communications
Carson-Newman College
Tennessee01.1998
Skills
- Remote and location experience managing workforces from 6 to 100
- Next level thinker
- VR, AR, MR, AI management
- Performance metrics
- Relationship building
- brand management
- project management
- creative problem solving
- Strong client service
- innovation management
- strategic planning
- financial budgeting
- data analysis
- content production
- partner engagement
- effective communication
- problem solving
- critical thinking
- team leadership
Timeline
Chief Creative and Innovation Officer
Matter Collective
07.2023 - 10.2025
Creative Director (Remote Contract)
Ideas United
01.2021 - 07.2022
Executive Producer / Digital Strategist
Gamma Blast Studios
01.2017 - 01.2022
Creative Director / CTO
Dance Network
01.2015 - 01.2017
Lead Creative & Marketing Strategist
Farm Dog Creative Agency
01.2013 - 01.2015
Production Supervisor / Production Coordinator / Producer (>5M)
Universal Studios & Sony Pictures
01.2004 - 01.2018
Bachelor - Communications
Carson-Newman College