Tim Richards

Strategic, Creative Leader

Strategy + Design + Brand + UX
via Riot Games + Razorfish + BLITZ

I lead brand strategy and marketing ecosystem management. I build and lead teams in creating stronger growth practices. I shape powerful communications and collaborations for more useful products and services.

I pioneered rapid prototyping and product testing as a global UX leader for some of the world’s favorite brands as a source of insights and strategy. I build data-informed design and strategy teams, offering powerful insights and velocity to product, sales, marketing and operational teams.

Experience

Head of Design + Brand

Our teams launched two mobile products in three years, including fundraising, brand development, successful growth campaigns and channel/partnership strategies. I built strategy canvases for cross-team alignment on product, design, growth - and built creative and marketing teams to grow.

ONLIFE June 2021-August 2024

Conversation Designer,
Co-Founder

PitchCraft January 2017-Present

Passionate side project. A strategy story design studio, building communications and content for agencies, creative and product teams, startups and brands. Sprint-based creative strategy experiments and prototyping for big new ideas that need support. Incubating a storytelling technology as a new way to think together. 

Head of Publishing + Marketing, North America

Riot Games January 2017-June 2019

I was hired to co-lead a reorganization of the North American Publishing team at Riot Games, creators of League of Legends - the world’s most successful esport and one of the most played games on the planet. Established strategic plan and measurement approach for decision-making across player support, community, social media, licensing, brand and growth. 

Built a brand leadership and marketing practice and led global initiative for growth and new player experience. We re-built the marketing team and operated a number of flagship campaigns, leading to the successful launch of 5 new products and the formation of a new global standard for marketing and brand.

EVP, Strategy

I was hired to establish a more strategic and effective UX team inside the already-legendary digital studio. I recruited and built a world-famous Strategy and UX team that led Fortune 500 brands in digital product innovation, including Disney Parks and Microsoft. 

I established a more insights-driven  offering in concert with the acquisition of a social media firm and an expansion of services into brand leadership and creative advertising strategy. Collaborated to build Planning capability across digital product and marketing offerings. 

I created an industry-leading UX team, a unified strategic planning function and ecosystem model for some of the greatest brands in the world, including Disney Parks, Microsoft, Naked Juice, Adobe, Activision and 2K Games. Acquired by Advantage Solutions in 2015.

BLITZ July 2010-January 2017

Information Architect > VP Experience

Sapient, Razorfish September 2006-July 2010

I started at Sapient as a Sr. UX Designer, developing Information Architecture for Pfizer, Fidelity, Franklin and Fandango. I left Sapient and joined Razorfish as a UX practice leader. I developed digital product and experience designs for Intel, the NFL, Disney, Sony and Call of Duty.

I led the West Coast experience planning practice. I created a skills development and management matrix for UX designers and strategists, worked to integrate UX and design thinking across the organization and led new business and strategy initiatives.

Interests

  • Latin/Classical Guitar, Bossanova

  • Music Production

  • Bicycling

  • Hiking

  • Swimming

  • Learning Languages

Favorite Things

  • Yoga + Meditation

  • Reading, Writing. Drawing

  • Post-It Brand Sticky Notes

  • Reading Mystical Texts

  • Drinking Tea

  • Exploring the World with My Incredible Family