S K I L L S & L A N G U A G E S
Digital Photography
Project Management
Adobe Creative Cloud
Heuristic Evaluation
Data Analytics
Sitemaps/Wireframes
Org. Development
CMS
Content Strategy
User Personas & Flows
Quality ImprovementLocalization
Global LeadershipInfo Architecture
Product Management
Agile Development
Copywriting
eCommerce
Accessibility
Digital Marketing
Video Production
A/B TestingUX Design
HTML, CSS & XML
SpanishEnglish
B.S. in Digital Media: eCommerce, Creative WritingUniversity of Houston: Magna Cum Laude — 3.7 GPA
E D U C AT I O N
INTERIM GLOBAL GAMES CATEGORY MANAGER
Microsoft Xbox Games Store Merchandising (Hanson
Consulting)
Mar ’18 – Present | Seattle, WA
• Self-trained on internal analytics reporting tools and managed BI requests in an extremely ambiguous climate • Mapped attribution and engineered automated MBR scorecards and charts breaking down Editorial, Search and Algorithmic channel performance over time• Wrote user stories for 8 accepted features to increase programming efficiencies
LEAD GLOBAL GAMES UX PRODUCER
Microsoft Xbox Store Business & Category
Management (Hanson Consulting)
Apr ‘14 – Mar ‘15 | Jul ’15 – Present | Seattle, WA
• Governed worldwide research, wireframes, prototypes, localization anddeployment of all digital game sale experiences for over 48 million XboxLive users and stakeholders covering 52 locales and 22 languages on Xbox 360, Xbox One and the Xbox App on Win 10 including the first saleexperiences on Xbox One and the Xbox App• Led global marketing, design, business and engineering teams to provide timely, accurate and user-friendly deliverables in a volatile area of business with consistent Y/Y growth• Introduced Agile processes such as daily stand-up and Kanban boards• Defined and reported monthly Managed Services KPIs including a 1466% increase in scope of work over 20 months resulting in training and managing a team of 4–7 producers• Created a repository of programming and localization templates, plus streamlined discounting processes to allow a 71% time increase for pre-launch QC• Led the global creation, prioritization and programming of pri 0 and embargoed promos for Microsoft-owned and indie (ID@Xbox) games
LEAD GLOBAL GAMES CONTENT STRATEGIST
Microsoft Xbox AET (Hanson Consulting)
Mar ‘15 – Jul ‘15 | Seattle, WA
• Managed a team of 4 across US, BR and MX to execute content strategy and selection refined by BI reports, A/B tests and stat analysis for the Xbox One Games Store• Maintained a layered content calendar of bi-weekly updates with competing priorities and conditionals tailored to specific users based on purchase habits
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
University of Houston Marketing & Communication
Sep ’12 – Dec ‘13 | Houston, TX
• Produced, directed, designed and edited audio/visual assets for events, places and programs related to the university and its brand to drive engagement, including public figures such as Chancellor Renu Khator, Dennis Quaid, Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar and Mayor Annise Parker
E X P E R I E N C E
C O N TA C T
( 7 1 3 ) 3 0 1 - 8 8 9 4 | ga r ron .ba l l a rd@gmai l . com
www.gar ronba l l a rd . com | www.l inkedin.com/in/garronbal lard
Providence Hospice Patient Care Volunteer, UX Book Club, IA/UX Meetup, General Assembly, IXDA, UXPA, AIGA
A C T I V I T I E S
• Viacom Summer Associate Program finalist (2014)• Technology Outstanding Student nominee (2013)• Earned B.S. as caretaker of ill parents (2008–2013)• $5500 in Scholarships (2012–2013)• AIGA Houston Design Loop Mentee (2013)• U Houston billboard campaign representative (2012)• Accepted into UH Creative Writing ranked 3rd in US (2011)
H O N O R S & A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
*I also possess specialized knowledge of common ecommerce terms in several other languages
GARRON BALLARD
Meticulous, enthusiastic, iron-willed UX/CX, creative leader and empath who has innovated, inspired and executed successful global, multilingual, cross-functional or multichannel releases over five years balancing optimal user experience and exceeding revenue targets
Eleven years of business, team management and customer service experience with an educational and professional background in organizational leadership and development, consumer science, graphic communications technology and marcomm including managing several of Xbox's most demanding yet fiscally rewarding experiences
Q U A L I F I C AT I O N S