Elijah Bates Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Hoboken, New Jersey, Us

Currently leading the charge on concept development, campaign storytelling, thematic brand media, e-commerce evolution, and omni-channel communication for the largest retail company in the world—with dedicated focus toward brand partnerships and integration, content and video production, creative innovation in digital and physical environments, and other transformational opportunities. Recent successes include media campaigns with such brands as LEGO, Doritos, Pepsi, Hormel, Hallmark, Samsonite, American Greetings, Purina, Cool Whip, Breyers, REESE’S, Walmart+ and Expedia.

Drove and inspired new storytelling efforts for a network of dynamic video content across multiple Disney apps, digital platforms and theme parks. The role evolved by the project, but consistently involved concepting and pitching original videos; producing high-priority shoots, thematic campaigns and content bundles; directing behind-the-scenes interviews and writing feature stories; and countless other production-related tasks.In addition to the day-to-day creative, I dedicated my efforts to forming and fostering long-term partnerships with brands like Walt Disney Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Marvel, ESPN, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney+ and many others in The Walt Disney Company—all while managing the video and editorial process to drive engagement with a digital/mobile focus.

Built out digital platforms, top to bottom, domestic and international. Crafted branded nomenclature for in-park products, experiences and menu items. Authored new tales and innovative Disney entertainment inspired by iconic IP. Here are a few of the highlights:PLAY DISNEY PARKS: Partnered with Walt Disney Imagineering to develop interactive adventures and character-filled stories, from concept to creation. Managed a team of writers to compile thousands of pieces of Disney trivia. Built out a robust system of achievements for an app that “turns wait time into play time” and brings the parks to life in immersive ways.SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT: Moved to China to help build and launch Shanghai’s digital presence a year prior to opening day. Worked on an active construction site to gather crucial details, while also managing a team of writers. Brainstormed names for all themed drinks and frozen treats at the Resort—Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Brew, for example.DESTINATION APPS & WEBSITES: Served as the lead writer for multiple Disney Parks destination apps and websites—Disneyland and Walt Disney World, among others. Breadth of work included creative writing for in-park experiences, seasonal guides, special events, tickets, navigation, guest services, UX, profile, push messaging, etc.AWARD-WINNING VIDEOS: Scripted a series of animated flyover videos for Disney Resort hotels around the world. Standouts include a video for Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World which won a Silver Addy Award, as well as another for Disney Explorers Lodge at Hong Kong Disneyland which won a Bronze Addy Award.THE DISNEY VOICE: Wrote thematic messaging for classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Introduced new lands and experiences at the Disney Parks—including Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Pandora – The World of Avatar, Frozen, Marvel Super Heroes and more.

Us

Reported breaking entertainment news alongside a team of executive producers, attorneys and reality TV stars. Sifted through video interviews and recently shot footage to discover potential stories. Contributed editorial to the iconic TMZ website, and supplied celebrity-focused content for both the streaming show TMZ Live and the syndicated TV show.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Created content on a regular basis for a variety of different departments and genres. Crafted local programming on the LA area, in addition to travel-specific pieces for the country at large. Pumped out comedic and satirical stories for their rabid sports audience. Pivotal as a go-to storyteller for a slew of different producers.

Culver City, Ca, Us

Concepted, pitched and executed a myriad of marketing campaigns. Worked with brands and agencies to start social conversations through content. Managed a creative team and collaborated across internal departments to achieve client and company goals. Repeatedly re-branded materials like logos, style guides, one-sheets, presentations, etc. Produced consumer-facing copy and CTAs, scripts for videos, social how-to guides for clients and more.Client-focused creative included personalities (Jimmy Kimmel, Deepak Chopra and Oprah), network (ABC/Disney and Univision ), events (Vans Warped Tour), brands (L’Oreal, Nextel, Peugot and eBay), politics (Gallup), non-profit (Susan G. Komen, X PRIZE and American Heart Association), education (Sesame Workshop and Wikipedia) and environment (Sierra Club).

Pitched, composed and edited together film and television features, lifestyle guides and other varieties of pop culture-centered content, including an up-close-and-personal feature with the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, among many other things.

Directed creative teams to develop content for an unlaunched social hub. Constructed lifestyle-logic templates for teams to follow, in pursuit of minimizing info requested from users, while maximizing amount of data collected. Pushed for development of mobile-based initiatives, reformatted content created prior to my hiring and helped quality assure site functionality. Awarded company partnership after six months.

Served as editor during the magazine’s 15-month lifespan. Co-created monthly comedic features with the minds behind the HBO series Eastbound and Down, including Danny McBride (star), Jody Hill (director) and Ben Best (writer). Conducted interviews with Ben Affleck, Francis Ford Coppola, Eli Roth, Rainn Wilson, Lorne Michaels, Chelsea Handler, Alan Menken, Kevin Smith, Wes Anderson, etc.

Rebranded the decades-old publication, transitioning the 16-page, black-and-white weekly into a 150-page, full color quarterly journal, as well as establishing a fully functional web presence. Redesigned the brand’s logo and style guide and expanded its content offerings, broadening both its voice and potential audience in the process. Collected and maintained thousands of contacts across multiple realms of media.

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Led an editorial team in the creation of a gender-neutral, entertainment & lifestyle magazine, focused towards college students in California, Arizona and Nevada. Promoted edgy and humorous content communicating directly with the way 20-somethings live their lives. Conducted interviews with Jack Black, Elisha Cuthbert, Ryan Seacrest, Eva Mendes, Leslie Nielsen, the cast of The Hills, Sophia Bush, Dave Eggers, Kristen Bell, the cast of Reno 911 and more. Distributed monthly to a reading base of 400,000, across 70 different college campuses.

Personally chronicled the 2005-2006 CSULB year in 150 pages, including all photography, writing and layout. Placed a satirical spin on the project, presenting it in the style of an 1849 prospector’s guide. Secretly designed the book to be read in sync with Pink Floyd’s Meddle.

Focused a 15-person staff around the creation of a weekly publication reaching 40,000+ people on the CSULB campus, as well as Long Beach at large. Served several semesters as lead editor and put out more than 100 jam-packed issues. Interviewed Arnold Schwarzenegger during California’s recall election. Other titles held include managing editor and satire & comedy editor (June 2003 - May 2006).