Chris Shugart Bio |
Chris Shugart's professional career began shortly after he finished his graphic arts and film studies at UCLA. He would land his first advertising job as the Creative Services Manager for a major music record distributor in Southern California. While there, he created newspaper ads, radio spots, and in-store promotion for dozens of store locations throughout California. In the years that followed, Chris was the Traffic Manager for a North Hollywood ad agency serving high tech clients, and Assistant Ad Manager for a manufacturer and national distributor for the cosmetics industry.
Shugart expanded his activities into printing production by starting his own company, Chris Shugart Studios in Burbank, California. The company provided a niche service to small businesses looking for cost effective advertising. Chris created direct mail and collateral material from concept to finished product, all produced in a full-service in-house facility. During this time, Shugart made that all-important transition from mechanical to digital design and production.
Chris’ career took a new turn in 1994 when he teamed up with his dad, Al Shugart, founder and CEO of Seagate Technology. Chris helped establish, promote and run Carmel Bay Publishing, directing the entire design and production line for all of their publications. Chris also provided marketing and advertising support for some of Al’s entrepreneurial projects collectively known as Pebble Beach Ventures, including Monterey Airplane Co. and Monterey Information Technology.
In 1996, Chris was thrust into the world of political activism* when Al Shugart decided to run his dog Ernest for Congress. Chris was appointed Campaign Director responsible for promotion and publicity. Organized to generate more interest in the political process, the Ernest campaign was followed by California Proposition 23, the “None of the Above Voter Initiative.” In addition to creating all of the campaign material, Chris had his first opportunity to add web site design and maintenance to his marketing communication skills.
In 1998, Al Shugart left Seagate and started Al Shugart International, a venture capital group located in Santa Cruz, California. Chris designed and produced their promo material and designed and implemented their official website. Chris was also retained as a consultant for ASI, providing marketing and public relations support for ASI clients—an eclectic variety of emerging technology start-ups.
As a result of his previous political activity, Chris had become an active political writer. In 2001 he started his own radio show called Uncommon Sense which broadcast for two years throughout the California Central Coast. The radio show was the basis for the founding of the American Association of Independent Voters, a non-profit political action organization.
With the emergence of the New Media, Chris began developing a series of marketing and merchandizing strategies designed to appeal to a growing market that the New Media had created. Consequently, Chris incorporated audio-visual multi-media design and production into his marketing and advertising repetoire.
In 2007 Chris Shugart became the Marketing Manager for Pollstar, a print and online publisher for the Concert Industry. During his tenure, he created their YouTube site, introduced and implemented Flash animation ads, and managed the company's online concert ticket advertising.
Shugart currently provides freelance multimedia marketing communications services to clients throughout California.
* Learn more about Chris Shugart's political action background >>