This is a relatively new position in the C suite space, and new hire, Brandon C. Ricks, is determined to pave the way.
Dallas-based production company, Nametag Films, welcomes seasoned creative strategist Brandon C. Ricks to the team. Ricks will assume the role of Chief Growth Architect, which is a new position within the company. His background within the music, radio, and film industry made him a shoo-in candidate.
Ricks has worked as a director for onsite activations on Warped Tour, developed local radio and promotions strategies for touring artists, and created radio sponsored meet-and-greets with Brian “Head” Welch. In addition, he executed the “Catch a Free Ride” promotion sponsored by Uber and Dallas radio station 102.1 the Edge, co-produced “The End of Malice” documentary featured on REVOLT TV and NETFLIX while executive producing the soundtrack to the film and spearheaded the acquisition of the “Loud Krazy Love” documentary on Showtime.
As a self-described “builder,” Ricks will work with the Nametag team to execute high level goals within the company. Already impressed by the high level of work ethic at Nametag, Ricks can’t wait to dive in and do what he does best—create one big, tangible result out of multiple, moving parts.
We sat down with the Chief Growth Architect to see this new role from his perspective and found out what makes him tick. .
AdChat DFW: What were you doing before coming to Nametag Films?
BR: Before coming to Nametag, I worked at a digital marketing agency managing a portfolio of client accounts. Not the most exciting job but I learned a lot about the inner workings of an agency. Outside of that, I spent my time as a creative and content consultant for various clients developing high level marketing strategies. But, of course my work history extends far beyond my most recent role.
AdChat DFW: What was your first job?
BR: If we’re talking about the first job or the first time I was ever paid for, that would be babysitting. My first job or career position that I actually felt inspired by was an internship at Universal Records.
AdChat DFW: What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
BR: Since the Growth Officer or Growth Architect is a fairly new position within the C Suite, I still get a lot of “what do you do?” type of questions. It’s great for me because it allows me to thoroughly explain the multifaceted responsibilities within my role.
AdChat DFW: What do you bring to Nametag Films?
BR: I bring passion for strategic growth and development. I love to build things and I plan on applying that passion to Nametag to help our team fulfill our high level goals and aspirations.
AdChat DFW: What do you love about this work?
BR: The best part about being a Growth Architect is seeing strategic vision come to fruition. There is an excitement that is associated with taking something that was conceptual and manifesting it into the tangible world.
AdChat DFW: What’s a work related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
BR: I’ve been blessed and honored to be involved in quite a few accomplishments. I would say one of the most fulfilling projects I worked on was a documentary piece I was able to get picked up by NETFLIX and REVOLT TV.
AdChat DFW: How do you know when you’ve aced a project?
BR: I’m a harsh self-critic, so I have a tendency to downplay success and not celebrate accomplishments or recognize them when I see them. But I’ve always found that you’ve built something great when what you’ve built impacts people in a positive way. That’s the ultimate sign that I’ve been involved with great work.
AdChat DFW: Who would your dream client & project be?
BR: I don’t know if I have a dream client or project per se. I think every time I have the opportunity to help someone take a great idea they are excited about and make it a reality, that is a dream come true to me.
AdChat DFW: How do you stay up-to-date on current tech and trends?
BR: I think there is a fine line between being informed and chasing the latest trend. I try to be knowledgeable by reading, researching, and listening to colleagues and friends but, at the same time, it’s important to blaze your own trail and do what works. Everyone has a different approach to accomplish a goal. I try to do what works within my methodology and add things I learn along the way.
AdChat DFW: What does a successful project look like?
BR: I think this falls in line with the aced a project question. It’s all about the impact the project has on the people involved. I look at the people and their response and I judge success based on how it impacts them.
AdChat DFW: Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
BR: I don’t know if I’ve been greatly influenced by one person more than another. I tend to pick up nuggets of information from everyone I meet and apply the best things about their work to my repertoire. But if I had to pick someone, I would say my parents. Their work ethic and grind is almost unmatched. They started at a deficit compared to most people. They grew up on the West Side and South Side of Chicago in the 50s and 60s. It takes an immense amount of courage, vision and resolve to overcome poverty, violence, broken homes, and the systemic racism that was perpetuated during that time period. They have done extremely well for themselves despite their circumstances, and they provided my sister and I the opportunity to grow up in safe, healthy, and stable environments. They broke the cycle of poverty and for that I’m extremely grateful.
AdChat DFW: What’s the worst job you’ve ever had, and what did you learn from it?
BR: I was in a really low place in my life as a result of some poor choices I made as a young man and ended up having to work at a car wash. It was a low wage hourly position that rewarded commission on upselling washes. The guys that worked there would upsell all kinds of washes that customers didn’t need. They took advantage of naive, elderly women. It felt so dirty and wrong, and I got out of there as quickly as I could. It was definitely a defining moment that made me reflect on the type of man I wanted to be.
AdChat DFW: What energizes you at work?
BR: The excitement of getting the opportunity to begin a new project and identifying how to put all of the individual components together in order to build something great.
AdChat DFW: What’s one thing that surprised you about working at Nametag Films?
BR: I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the high level of work ethic and willingness to grind from everyone on the team.
