James M. Martin

• Bold creative leader with 20+ years of experience building iconic brands at the intersection of design, storytelling, and technology. Known for shaping future-forward visual identities, leading multidisciplinary teams, and delivering world-class creative that drives business growth. Deep expertise in brand transformation, executive communication, and generative AI. A trusted leader and a hands-on visionary who elevates both creative craft and strategic thinking.

2023 » 2025

Managing Editor, Visuals

Ziff Davis, San Francisco, CA

• Lead creative strategy and photography art direction
• Led visual brand identity and creative direction across top consumer technology platforms including CNET, Mashable, Lifehacker, and PCMag - developing digital-first campaigns, and scalable design systems that spanned commerce, mobile, social, live activations, and events.
• Directed cross-functional creative initiatives in close collaboration with editorial, design, and product marketing teams - translating business goals into high-impact visual storytelling and aligning creative strategy with brand narratives across every touchpoint.
• Acted as strategic creative partner to client services and account management teams, ensuring all visual content met brand standards and campaign KPIs - fostering trust, delivering precision-crafted assets, and enhancing client satisfaction through deeply aligned communication.
• Built and mentored multidisciplinary creative teams, nurturing a culture of curiosity, inclusion, and craft excellence while delivering bold, resonant work that flexed across scroll, story, and speed-driven environments.

2007 » 2012

Photographer

CNET, San Francisco, CA

• Creative producer of photography, galleries & multimedia news stories
• Licensing/rights negotiation and legal clearance; project management
• Photo coordination, photo editing, retouching & color correction
• Studio product photography for CNET Reviews

2006 » 2008

News Curator

outside.in, Brooklyn, New York

• Curator and partner coordinator for hyperlocal news organization
• Track, measure, and analyze how content, sentiment, and engagement programs were performing; regularly update colleagues and management
• Sold to AOL & merged with Patch.com

2005 » 2006

Staff Photographer

Elk Grove Citizen, Elk Grove, CA

• Lead newspaper photographer covering breaking news, features, portraits & spot news

2003 » 2005

Studio Producer

Rudy Meyers Photography, Sacramento, CA

• Director of lighting, design, and production for commercial photographer
• Produced studio and location shoots, lighting/set design; managed budgets
• Lead pre-production meetings; location scouting

2001 » 2002

Product Manager

AppleSoup, San Francisco, CA

• Conceptual dev and design strategy for early stage P2P photo and video sharing start-up

• Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, Political Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, 2000
• University of Syracuse, London, UK, 1999

• National Press Photographers Association
• Advertising Photographers of America