This year’s Seattle Interactive Conference, July 31 – Aug 1 at The Arch, the Seattle Conference Center, was redesigned to save attendees steps and session room navigation by running three rooms for the main tracks of Creative/Design, Marketing and Tech. This was compared to the former 15+ rooms/sessions at previous editions. A keynote address each morning set the tone for each of the tracks.
The event has been a staple in the PNW tech scene since 2011. When the region’s tech industry boomed, the influx of new residents attracted by the burgeoning business landscape fostered authentic communities that have been critical to the vibrancy and sustainability of the region. Organizer Brian Rauschenbach and team have built SIC around the idea that behind the 0’s and 1’s of tech are individuals and creative thinkers inspired by innovation and applying those skills to new mediums. This is the event’s secret sauce: a diverse and wide-ranging curation of sessions, a sense of community, and a vibrant atmosphere that encourages networking and connections.
While a few of the notable speakers hail from outside the North-by-Northwest ecosphere, we thought we’d spotlight a few of the local legends who, like Northwest bald eagles, are often hard to spot outside of their enclaves. Their insights illuminate why Seattle truly stands at the crossroads of digital content, technology and creativity.
Elodie Kwan is a Product Designer at Blink UX, an evidence-driven design and research agency. Her motto is “Human first, designer second.” Fascinated by the human experience and often with a camera in hand, her work is inspired by the beauty, the chaos, and the mundane she finds out in the world. Some of her recent project work includes NASA, Qualcomm, and Inland Empire Health Plan.
Session: PERFECTIONISM KILLED THE DESIGNER
Senior Experience Designer, Nate Johnson is a seasoned designer with experience at Xbox, Google, Amazon, and Electronic Arts. He will unveil the “red thread” concept; how graphic design fundamentals consistently deliver high-quality results across every project, brand, and media type. Explore how visual design systems have anchored their career and driven innovation in an ever-evolving industry. Session: THE BEDROCK OF CREATIVITY: A 25-YEAR JOURNEY IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Chike Ume, Director of Strategy for MILLI, is a veteran strategist and cultural maven, having worked across multiple disciplines. In his 10+ years in the industry he’s worked with global agencies and global brands like Xbox, Google, Netflix and more. Through his unique cultural lens, Chike has built world class thought leadership programs designed to unearth and inspire inspirational outputs for any brand. A former spoken word artist, his approach is rooted in leveraging unusual and unique insights to support BIPOC voices and initiatives – even winning an Anthem award for such efforts in 2022. He also has a ruthless commitment to dad jokes that will not be denied.
Session: ON BRIEF AND FOR THE CULTURE: A LOOK AT MODERN CREATIVE STRATEGY
Chris Copacino, Executive Director of Business Development at Copacino Fujikado, has 20 years of experience in defining, growing and making brands successful–both regionally and nationally. Ascending through agency account management ranks, Chris oversees new business acquisition, agency marketing, and helping drive agency operations. A creative-minded businessperson and a business-minded creative person, Chris combines strong business curiosity with an understanding of how to effectively reach and impact audiences. Chris has lead agency work for the Seattle Mariners, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Symetra Financial, MultiCare Health Systems, among several other local and national brands
Jenny Burns joined the Allen Institute In 2017. As Digital Content Manger, she oversees the Institute’s digital storefronts on the website and social media. With over a decade of digital storytelling, she has dabbled in video, photography, animation, graphic design and interactive web stories. Jenny is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations that benefit humankind. In 2015, she received a Master of Communication in Communities and Networks degree from the University of Washington’s Communication Leadership program.
Anisa Khoshbakhtian is the Technology Industry Strategic Advisor at the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development where she prioritizes community impact in the local technology sector. Her work focuses on community, civic, and business partnerships, and she leads strategic initiative between the City of Seattle and industry executives to encourage more inclusive and equitable economic development in the region. Anisa comes to this role with a dynamic background, having started her career in apparel and accessories design in streetwear and action sports. She later transferred her creative skills into a successful career in marketing and business strategy, working in consumer packaged goods, higher education, media and entertainment, and emerging technology in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Her passion for breaking barriers, strategizing for the greater good, youth empowerment, and bringing people together through innovative channels and shared experiences eventually led her to the intentional work that she does now.
James Miles worked as an educator in the New York City public schools for almost 20 years prior to moving to Seattle in 2017. Originally from Chicago, Miles has worked internationally as an artist and educator, and his work has been featured in magazines, books, podcasts, and newspapers. Miles is the Creative Economy Manager at Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, an assistant professor at Seattle University, and on the advisory board of SXSW EDU. His work has been featured in media including Complex magazine, the Seattle Times, the New York Times, NPR, Billboard Magazine, CBS, NBC, the US Department of Education, ASCD, and more. His acclaimed Tedx Talk focuses on his mission to narrow achievement gaps using the arts as a tool to navigate systems of educational inequality. He is the author of Gotta Stay Fresh and you can learn more about James at FreshProfessor.com.
Matt McCain has been a leader in the Seattle creative community for 25+ years. Before co-founding the independent creative agency Little Hands of Stone in 2019, he led the WA State Department of Health and Amazon accounts at WongDoody Seattle. Matt’s work has been recognized internationally by Cannes, One Show, Communication Arts, and Clios. He has two semi-grown kids, lives in the semi-sticks, and frequently disappears to fly fish.
Budi Mulyo, Seattle Film Commissioner, applies his experience in programming and computational manufacturing, as well as proficiency in immersive VR/AR/360/XR technologies to advancing Seattle’s film industry. Budi also understands how emerging technologies can provide growth opportunities for local film industry businesses and workers. Budi has mentored VR/360 at Refugee Women’s Alliance and Franklin High School, and trained UW minority students and the public in VR development at the Seattle Public Library.
Thig Gishuru is a visionary creative director renowned for his joyful, inclusive, and elevated approach. His portfolio spans campaigns, brand identities, and content for brands like Nordstrom, T-Mobile, and Amazon, to name a few.
Join Thig as he shares his personal journey of developing a lifestyle brand that reimagines heritage for the modern era. Discover how his creative thought process can help you embrace your own unique voice and inspire your next passion project or idea.
Jaimee LaTorra is a senior growth marketing manager at Rover with over a decade of experience in digital marketing. Currently leading Rover’s video marketing team, she oversees advertising channels including YouTube Ads, Linear TV, and OTT. Over the past few years, Jaimee has had the privilege of collaborating with Little Hands of Stone and Rover’s fabulous brand studio team, bringing a performance marketing perspective to their creative endeavors.
During her tenure at Rover, Jaimee has managed a variety of channels including paid search, affiliate marketing, app and paid social. When she’s not at work, you can find her doing anything active (running, cycling, hiking), throwing pottery, hosting bar trivia and spending time with her partner and rescue dog, Enzo. [24×7]
For the complete lineup of this year’s speakers and sessions, check out https://seattleinteractive.com/speakers/ [24×7]
