I’m Rory Thomas O’Neill, a Creative Director and Senior Producer with 20+ years of experience crafting media for Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, and small businesses. I’ve led on-set production, photography, editing, and end-to-end campaigns across print, digital, and video, delivering visuals and storytelling that drive engagement and results. I’m a one-man-band by default but collaborate well with teams, and I’m always looking to blend the latest tech with solid, old-school messaging that resonates with audiences. I stay current with AI and evolving trends, yet I believe in practical, human-centered storytelling. It’s not about chasing hype; it’s about delivering a message and media that motivate viewers. The Rory Thomas Productions tagline—“It’s your image. Make sure it’s a good one”—guides every project I take on, from ideation to on-time delivery and on-budget performance.…

Rory Thomas O’Neill

PRO

I’m Rory Thomas O’Neill, a Creative Director and Senior Producer with 20+ years of experience crafting media for Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, and small businesses. I’ve led on-set production, photography, editing, and end-to-end campaigns across print, digital, and video, delivering visuals and storytelling that drive engagement and results. I’m a one-man-band by default but collaborate well with teams, and I’m always looking to blend the latest tech with solid, old-school messaging that resonates with audiences. I stay current with AI and evolving trends, yet I believe in practical, human-centered storytelling. It’s not about chasing hype; it’s about delivering a message and media that motivate viewers. The Rory Thomas Productions tagline—“It’s your image. Make sure it’s a good one”—guides every project I take on, from ideation to on-time delivery and on-budget performance.…

Available to hire

I’m Rory Thomas O’Neill, a Creative Director and Senior Producer with 20+ years of experience crafting media for Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, and small businesses. I’ve led on-set production, photography, editing, and end-to-end campaigns across print, digital, and video, delivering visuals and storytelling that drive engagement and results. I’m a one-man-band by default but collaborate well with teams, and I’m always looking to blend the latest tech with solid, old-school messaging that resonates with audiences.

I stay current with AI and evolving trends, yet I believe in practical, human-centered storytelling. It’s not about chasing hype; it’s about delivering a message and media that motivate viewers. The Rory Thomas Productions tagline—“It’s your image. Make sure it’s a good one”—guides every project I take on, from ideation to on-time delivery and on-budget performance.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
French
Advanced

Work Experience

Director of Photography | Video Lead & Editor, Learning Group at BI Worldwide & Roche Diagnostics
January 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Directed and delivered 150+ video and photography projects for e-learning and corporate engagement initiatives as a preferred contractor. Improved complex production schedules, technical specifications, logistics and client expectations, particularly by implementing Frame.io for team-wide review & revisions. Core member of bi-weekly meetings with key stakeholders from both organizations. Spearheaded the AI-driven translation of 30+ lessons from English into French, leveraging ElevenLabs.io to produce realistic voice-overs that exceeded client expectations and enhanced international project quality.
Founder | Creative Director | Senior Producer at Rory Thomas Productions LLC
January 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Procured comprehensive creative services to diverse clientele across entertainment, manufacturing, medical, engineering, and advertising sectors. Conception, production, editing, and delivery of video, print, and digital campaigns with consistent 99% on-time, on-budget performance. Cultivated long-term client relationships through exceptional service and creative innovation, with a 70% average retainment. Developed all video and stills for notable campaigns and won a 2023 Silver International Telly Award for the non-profit Ah Ha.
Creative Director | Graphic Designer at Fox Communications
January 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Designed, produced, and posted monthly national advertising campaigns for Sterling Optical and Dental Services Group across multiple media buys. Created high-volume direct mail, print, packaging, branding, and promotional materials. Ensured brand consistency and production efficiency across all deliverables. Reduced conception to print times by more than 50%.
Graphic Designer | Pre-Press Specialist at Freelance Consultant
January 1, 2004 - September 9, 2025
Collaborated with top Minneapolis advertising agencies on major brand campaigns (Target, Subway, JCPenney, Dayton’s, Lifetouch, General Mills, Purina & more). Provided expert-level graphic design, retouching, and pre-press support under tight deadlines. Engineered pre-press solutions yielding zero errors in print production, ensuring flawless execution and maintaining brand integrity across all printed materials.
Co-Publisher | Art Director at The Scene Magazine
January 1, 1993 - September 9, 2025
Founded and grew a regional entertainment publication with distribution of 5,000+ monthly copies. Secured and nurtured multiple national advertising partnerships; publication evolved into today’s Volume One magazine.
Director of Photography | Video Lead & Editor, Learning Group at BI Worldwide & Roche Diagnostics
January 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Directed and delivered 150+ video and photography projects for e-learning and corporate engagement initiatives as a preferred contractor. Led storytelling and visuals to boost client engagement; the team earned a 100% perfect score across all channels on a multi-million-dollar international project spanning four years. Streamlined production schedules, technical specs, logistics and client expectations by implementing Frame.io for reviews. Attended bi-weekly stakeholder meetings. Led an AI-driven translation of 30+ lessons from English into French using ElevenLabs.io for natural-sounding voice-overs, enhancing international project quality.
Founder | Creative Director | Senior Producer at Rory Thomas Productions LLC
January 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Procured comprehensive creative services to diverse clients across entertainment, manufacturing, medical, engineering, and advertising sectors. Conceived, produced, edited, and delivered video, print, and digital campaigns with 99% on-time, on-budget performance. Built long-term client relationships with a 70% average retainment. Developed all video and stills for Microsoft Best in Show campaign for BIW; filmed 360-degree spinning computers for Microsoft.com; interviewed, filmed, and edited daily social media shorts for SAP at NRF trade shows in NYC and Las Vegas for four years. Conceived and produced a high-impact sizzle reel for Microsoft’s Black Hat conference; photographed and styled a lifestyle image library for Verizon Mobile. 2023 Silver International Telly Award winner for the non-profit Ah Ha campaign.
Creative Director | Graphic Designer at Fox Communications
January 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Designed, produced, and posted monthly national advertising campaigns for Sterling Optical and Dental Services Group across multiple media. Created high-volume direct mail, print, packaging, branding, and promotional materials. Ensured brand consistency and production efficiency across all deliverables. Reduced conception-to-print times by over 50%.
Graphic Designer | Pre-Press Specialist at Freelance Consultant
January 1, 2004 - September 9, 2025
Collaborated with top Minneapolis advertising agencies on major brand campaigns (Target, Subway, JCPenney, Dayton’s, Lifetouch, General Mills, Purina & more). Delivered expert-level graphic design, retouching, and pre-press support under tight deadlines. Engineered pre-press solutions yielding zero errors in print production, ensuring brand integrity across all printed materials.
Co-Publisher | Art Director at The Scene Magazine
January 1, 1993 - September 9, 2025
Founded and grew a regional entertainment publication with 5,000+ monthly copies. Secured and nurtured multiple national advertising partnerships; publication evolved into today’s Volume One magazine.
Director of Photography | Video Lead & Editor, Learning Group at BI Worldwide & Roche Diagnostics
January 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Directed and delivered 150+ video and photography projects for e-learning and corporate engagement initiatives as a preferred contractor. Increased client engagement metrics through strategic storytelling and high-quality visual assets. Improved complex production schedules, technical specifications, logistics and client expectations, particularly by implementing Frame.io for team-wide review & revisions. Core member of bi-weekly meetings with key stakeholders from both organizations. Spearheaded the AI-driven translation of 30+ lessons from English into French, leveraging ElevenLabs.io to produce realistic voice-overs that exceeded client expectations and enhanced international project quality.
Founder | Creative Director | Senior Producer at Rory Thomas Productions LLC
January 1, 2014 - Present
Procured comprehensive creative services to diverse clientele across entertainment, manufacturing, medical, engineering, and advertising sectors. Conception, production, editing, and delivery of video, print, and digital campaigns with consistent 99% on-time, on-budget performance. Cultivated long-term client relationships through exceptional service and creative innovation, with a 70% average retainment. Produced video and stills for Microsoft Mobile campaigns (Best in Show) for BIW; filmed all 360-degree spinning computers for Microsoft.com homepage; interviewed, filmed, and edited Daily Social Media Shorts for SAP at NRF shows in NYC and Las Vegas for four consecutive years. Conceived and produced a high-impact sizzle reel for Microsoft’s Black Hat Hacker Conference, demonstrating partnership advantages over exploitation. Photographed and styled a custom lifestyle image library for Verizon Mobile. 2023 Silver International Telly Award winner for the non-profit group “Ah Ha.”
Creative Director | Graphic Designer at Fox Communications
January 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Designed, produced, and posted monthly national advertising campaigns for Sterling Optical and Dental Services Group across various media buys. Created high-volume direct mail, print, packaging, branding, and promotional materials. Both brands reported strong response and Sterling Retail outlets realized a 20–30% increase in foot traffic in the days after a promotion. Ensured brand consistency and production efficiency across all deliverables. Reduced conception-to-print times by more than 50%.
Freelance Consultant Graphic Designer | Pre-Press Specialist
January 1, 2004 - September 9, 2025
Collaborated with top Minneapolis advertising agencies on major brand campaigns (Target, Subway, JCPenney, Dayton’s, Lifetouch, General Mills, Purina & more). Provided expert-level graphic design, retouching, and pre-press support under tight deadlines. Engineered pre-press solutions yielding zero errors in print production, ensuring flawless execution and maintaining brand integrity across all printed materials.
Co-Publisher | Art Director at The Scene Magazine
January 1, 1993 - September 9, 2025
Founded and grew a regional entertainment publication with a distribution of 5,000+ monthly copies. Secured and nurtured multiple national advertising partnerships; publication evolved into today’s Volume One magazine.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Advertising & Design at University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
January 11, 2030 - September 9, 2025
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Fine Art Photography at University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
September 4, 1987 - September 9, 1992

Qualifications

TELE Award
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Software & Internet, Professional Services

Skills

Experience Level