I’m Erik Martin, a creative director, designer, and storyteller who has been shaping brands and leading teams for over 20 years. I’ve launched campaigns that sparked conversation, made people feel something, and picked up awards along the way. But for me, leadership is as creative as the work itself. I’ve guided teams of writers, designers, and directors to push past the obvious, take risks, and grow. I mentor talent, create space for them to thrive, and stay hands-on in the work, shaping ideas side by side until they connect and resonate.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: craft a beautiful story. To me, that means creating work that feels honest, looks great, and actually makes a difference.

I fell in love with design as a kid, drawn to the way it blends art, science, and just enough magic to feel limitless. That curiosity still drives me. Over the years I’ve helped build brands from the ground up, collaborated with world-class artists and makers, and brought ideas to life across film, experiences, digital, and social. I care about the strategy behind the work, but just as much about the craft that makes it unforgettable.

Now I’m exploring how AI can open new doors for creativity. Not to cut corners, but to stretch thinking, spark possibilities, and find new ways to tell stories. What I’ve learned is simple: craft makes the story powerful, but culture makes it endure. My focus is on building both — work that earns its place in the world, and people who feel proud to have made it. Because the true legacy of leadership isn’t just the stories told. It’s the storytellers who rise in the telling.