CHRISTOPHER PICKUP
Creative Director | Producer | Strategist | Storyteller
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Creative Director and award-winning media producer with 15+ years of experience leading creative teams and delivering strategic content for corporate brands, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, manufacturers, marketing agencies, and social media influencers. Expertise spans creative strategy, production leadership, client partnership, and building scalable production workflows that deliver high-quality content efficiently. Passionate about creating compelling media that drives audience engagement, strengthens brands, supports channel growth, and delivers measurable value for clients. Co-founder of RDLV Films, where we helped organizations transform complex ideas into impactful visual stories.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
CORE EXPERTISE
Creative Direction • Content Strategy • Production Leadership • Storytelling • Social Media • Content Distribution & Channel Growth • Visual & Brand Storytelling • Project & Production Management • Team Leadership & Mentorship • Client Strategy & Executive Partnerships Scriptwriting & Content Development • Cinematography & Photography • Editing, Color & Audio • Motion Graphics • Studio, Podcast & On-Location Production • Social Content Optimization • Audience Analytics • Cross-Functional Partnership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
KANE VAN GATE | 2023-PRESENT
CREATIVE PRODUCER/BRAND STRATEGIST
Produce, shoot, and edit long and short-form content for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok while shaping content strategy, brand identity, and audience growth.
Helped grow the YouTube channel from 65,000 to 107,000+ subscribers, earning the YouTube Silver Creator Award, while expanding cross-platform reach to 2.5M+ monthly views.
Support sponsorship activations, affiliate marketing, merchandise, and partner campaigns with Bauer Hockey, the NHL, Pure Hockey, and AstraZeneca.
RDLV FILMS | 2023-2026
CO-OWNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Co-founded and led a full-service creative production company specializing in recurring content partnerships for corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, B2B, and financial organizations.
Developed long-term content strategies that helped clients build audience engagement, strengthened brand visibility, and supported marketing and fundraising initiatives through consistent, multi-platform storytelling.
Directed all aspects of creative operations, including strategy, production planning, budgeting, crew leadership, post-production, client communication, and content distribution.
Built scalable production systems that supported recurring monthly, quarterly, and annual content programs while maintaining creative quality and operational efficiency.
Managed integrated digital campaigns including content publishing, social media scheduling, and performance reporting for retained clients.
VIDZU MEDIA | 2022-2023
EDITOR
Edited commercial and branded content for broadcast, digital, and social media platforms from concept through final delivery.
Managed post-production workflows including editing, color correction, audio finishing, motion graphics, and media asset organization.
Partnered with producers, directors, and creative teams to develop engaging visual stories aligned with client objectives and campaign strategies.
Supported studio and on-location productions with cinematography, photography, lighting, audio, and production logistics.
CAPTIVA MARKETING | 2016-2020
SENIOR VIDEO PRODUCER
Led integrated video productions supporting corporate marketing, executive communications, and digital campaigns for regional and national clients.
Partnered with clients and agency leadership to develop multimedia strategies aligned with marketing objectives, audience engagement, and brand growth.
Collaborated with account managers, designers, and digital marketing teams to integrate video into broader client marketing initiatives.
Managed multiple concurrent productions from concept through delivery, overseeing creative development, production, post-production, and client communication.
Improved production workflows and department standards, increasing efficiency, consistency, and collaboration across a rapidly growing creative team.
Mentored junior producers and editors while coordinating production schedules, creative resources, and vendor relationships.
Managed YouTube advertising campaigns and incorporated audience insights to refine creative strategy and improve campaign performance.
TOTAL HOCKEY | 2013-2016
VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER
Produced national advertising campaigns from concept through delivery while coordinating broadcast asset packaging and distribution across multiple television networks.
Directed the company’s in-house media production program, leading creative strategy and content development across television, digital, social media, retail marketing, and executive communications.
Developed production workflows, established creative standards, and mentored team members to improve efficiency, collaboration, and brand consistency.
Partnered with marketing leadership to create integrated campaigns supporting product launches, customer engagement, and overall business objectives.
Applied audience insights and campaign performance data to continuously refine creative
strategy and improve content effectiveness.
TOOLS & PLATFORMS
Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Audition) • Google Workspace • Microsoft 365 • Project Management (Asana, Monday.com, Trello) • YouTube Studio • Vimeo • Meta Business Suite • Google Analytics • SEMrush • Hootsuite • Riverside FM • HubSpot • Artlist.io • AI Productivity & Creative Tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) • Production: cameras and lenses, lighting and grip, audio, gimbals, drone
EDUCATION & RECOGNITION
Webster University — Bachelor of Arts
Cinematography and Film/Video Production • Graduated with departmental honors.
Mid-America Emmy Award (2022)
Arts/Entertainment - Long Form Content • Holiday Music Medley 2021 | USAF Band of Mid-America • Coolfire Studios • Editor
Mid-America Emmy Award Nomination (2025)
Human Interest - Long Form Content • “Stop the Stigma” • CHADS • RDLV Films
YouTube Silver Creator Award (2026)
Contributed to the growth of the Kane Van Gate YouTube channel beyond 100,000 subscribers through content strategy, production, branding, and audience development.
Telly Awards (2015, 2016)
Recipient of 6 Bronze Telly Awards recognizing excellence in television advertising, campaign creative, sports, and humo