About Me

Growing up I would spend hours drawing, writing, reading comic books, playing video games,
and trying to figure out how to get computers to do weird and interesting things just for
laughs. Some may think that is a wasted youth. But! Consider this; I spent years immersing
myself in stories about amazing people overcoming impossible problems, experimenting with
technology for no reason other than to understand how and why it worked, and challenging myself
to solve one more puzzle, complete one more level, discover one more hidden feature.

I’ve been lucky enough to make a career out of having an abundance of intellectual curiosity and
a penchant for problem solving. Whether it’s through art, writing, or technology I get immense
satisfaction from helping people discover new things, tell new stories, and figure out how to do
things better. If you need help with that then maybe we should talk? If you’re a jerk then maybe
not. Who has time for jerks, really? Nobody.

When I’m not working you’ll find me drinking coffee, making esoteric music playlists, practicing
sign language, sneaking treats to my dog, or ‘dadding’ it up at the ice hockey rink with my son.

Contact Details

Name: Ron Perazza
LinkedIn: Ron Perazza
Email: ron@ronperazza.com

Education

Rowan University

Bachelor of Arts • Illustration

My university experience included a rigorous degree program in studio arts with concentrations in illustration, printmaking, and art history. In addition to participating in academic programs, I co-founded a student-run art and humor magazine and exhibited personal works at the Glassboro Center for the Arts (Glassboro, NJ) and City Gardens (Trenton, NJ).

Work

Economic Policy Institute

Creative Lead • 2022 - Present

Oversee creative strategy, design, branding, and the creative production pipeline for EPI - a nonprofit think tank using the tools of economics to promote the interests of workers at the national, state, and local level.

Wiley

Head of Communications Platforms • 2017 - 2022

Lead strategy and operations for digital communications platforms, including the global intranet and cloud-based collaboration tools.

Union Combine

Editorial & Creative Consultant • 2014 - Present

Provide editorial and creative direction, project management, intellectual property development, and related creative services. Clients include Marvel Entertainment, Razorfish LLC, Reading With Pictures, The United Nations, Deloitte, and VivaTech/Publicis Groupe

Archie Comics

Senior Vice President of Digital • 2015 - 2016

Lead creative direction, product roadmap, application development, and digital strategy across web, mobile, and other digital platforms.

Marvel Entertainment

Director of Digital Innovation • 2013 - 2014

Oversaw ideation, development, strategy, and design for digital products supporting Marvel’s digital publishing group.

DC Comics

Vice President of Creative Services & Online • 2007 - 2013

Oversaw global creative services for marketing and editorial, including DC Comics’ online presence and original digital content publishing imprint.

Additional Experience

DC Comics• Executive Editor, Digital Publishing

DC Comics• Director of Creative Services

DC Comics• Manager of Creative Services

Art Institute of Philadelphia• Instructor, Portfolio & Professional Development

Marvel Comics• Product Manager, Marvel Interactive

Marvel Comics• Creative Services Manager, Trading Cards & CCGs

Volunteering

The Comics Grid

Editorial Advisory Board • 2013 - 2021

The Comics Grid is an open access, peer reviewed academic journal dedicated to comics scholarship. The journal’s purpose is to make original, media-specific contributions to the field of comics scholarship and to advance the appreciation of comic art.

Glen Ridge Civic Conference Committee

Communications Chair • 2016 - 2018

The Glen Ridge Civic Conference Committee is comprised of a broad cross section of Glen Ridge residents whose function is to seek out and endorse those who in its collective judgment are the most qualified candidates for elected Borough office, Town Council, Mayor and School Board.

Boy Scouts of America

Cub Scout Den Leader • 2016 - 2020

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

Montclair Hockey Club

Volunteer • 2016 - 2021

The Montclair Hockey Club provides a quality environment for youth hockey players to learn, play, and enjoy ice hockey. The program stresses skill development and teamwork with the ultimate goal of developing each player's character, sense of sportsmanship and love for the game while forming strong friendships that will last them a lifetime.

NJ Devils Youth Hockey Club

Volunteer • 2021 - 2022

The NJ Devils Youth Hockey Club offers a range of ice hockey programs from the beginners level to the highly-competitive AAA USA level. The programs, regardless of level, are structured to provide players with the latitude for personal growth that enables each participant to reach his or her maximum potential as an individual and help to prepare him or her to succeed in life's competitive environment.

Awards

Yammer Benchmark Award

Awarded by Swoop Analytics • 2019, 2020, 2021

Wiley was recognized for having achieved outstanding success in collaborative performance on their internal social network.

Spot Bonus Award

Awarded by Wiley • 2019

Wiley periodically offers performance-based awards to recognize contributions to the company's shared success. I earned special recognition for innovation and performance in the development of a custom application to help employees navigate career path options within the company.

Awarded by Wiley • 2018

I was presented an additional award for professionalism and excellence in collaboration and innovation during the implementation of Wiley's intranet.

Office 365

Awarded by Microsoft • 2018

Microsoft's customer advocacy program highlights companies that significantly advance their organizations using Microsoft products and services. Wiley's Office 365 rollout was recognized as a case study through this program.

Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens

Awarded by the American Library Association • 2010

Each year the American Library Association selects the best books and media for teens from 12 to 18 years of age. While I was the Editorial Director of DC Comics' digital imprint, BAYOU by Jeremy Love was selected for this award.

Glyph Award

Awarded East Coast Black Age of Comics • 2009

The Glyph Awards recognize the best comics made by, for, and about people of color. While I was Editorial Director of DC Comics' digital imprint, BAYOU by Jeremy Love won a then record-breaking five awards included; Best Comic Strip or Webcomic, Best Female Character, Best Artist, Best Writer and Story of the Year.

Harvey Award

Harvey Awards Executive Committee • 2009

The Harvey Awards are one of the comic industry's oldest and most prestigious awards. Recognizing outstanding achievement multiple categories. While I was the Editorial Director of DC Comics' digital imprint, a number of comic books under my supervision were nominated or won this award. The nominations include three comics for Best New Series (HIGH MOON by David Gallaher & Steve Ellis, SUPERTRON by Sheldon Vella, and NIGHT OWLS by Bobby & Peter Timony), and three comics for Best Online Comic Work (THE BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELLS by Johnny Zito and Tony Trovarello, HIGH MOON by David Gallaher & Steve Ellis and NIGHT OWLS by Bobby & Peter Timony). HIGH MOON won the Harvey Award for Best Online Comic Work.

MIN Award for Custom Publishing

Media Industry Newsletter • 2005

The 2005 MIN Award for Custom Publishing went to a custom editorial project that I oversaw at DC Comics, sponsored by Coca-Cola and PowerADE, starring LeBron James. The KING JAMES program included print comics, posters, a custom website, video and more.

Carrot Award

Warner Bros. • 2003

The Carrot Award recognizes individual Warner Bros. employees for outstanding performance.

Top Five Spider-Man Card Sets

Cardboard Connection • 1997

The Cardboard Connection is a leading resource for sports card, entertainment trading cards, and memorabilia collectors. 1997 FLEER ULTRA SPIDER-MAN, for which I was creative manager, was selected as one of The Top Five Spider-Man card sets spanning a nearly twenty year period. This set introduced the first, original art "chase" cards.

Projects

Ella The Engineer - Comic book series focused on STEM education for Deloitte
Archie Comics App - Digital publishing app for Archie Comics content
Marvel Unlimited - Digital comics reader with audio gaming middleware for Marvel Comics
Infinite Comics - Strategy and production process for Marvel Comics hybrid digital comics/animation
ZUDA Comics - Award-winning webcomics imprint and online community
DVF - Wonder Woman branded content marketing for Diane Von Furstenberg
Justice & Doom - Animated Smallville TV shorts sponsored by Toyota
Rush City - DC Comics comics and animation content marketing for Pontiac
Teen Titans - Comics book series focused on Dyslexia Awareness for Charles Schwab
LeBron James - Comics book series, animation, and content marketing for LeBron James and Coca-Cola
Batman Begins - Interactive animations for Warner Bros. DVD release of movie
Superman Returns - Online, interactive webcomics for Warner Bros. release of movie
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu - Comic book series in support of UbiSoft video game
NASCAR - Custom DC Comics branded comics and content marketing for NASCAR
AOL: Red - Custom digital comics, animation, and content for America Online>
OnStar - Batman branded digital content marketing for General Motors
Got Milk? - DC Comics branded children's activity book focused on health and wellness
McDonald's - Custom DC Comics branded comics and toys for McDonald's Happy Meals

Video Games - LEGO Batman Mobile, Superman Returns, Superman Returns: Fortress of Solitude, Batman Begins, Constantine, Spy vs. Spy, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, Justice League: Chronicles, Justice League Heroes, Justice League Heroes: The Flash, Teen Titans, Watchmen, Gotham City Imposters, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, DC Universe Online
Collectible Cards & Games - OverPower, Star Trek: The Original Series, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ultra X-Men, Ultra Spider-Man

Client Testimonials

  • I worked with Ron for five years and in that time I found Ron to be one of the most creative, boundary-pushing, and fun people to work along side. While being Ron's teammate, I saw him do amazing things: change people's perceptions of collaboration, create beautiful media that engaged people, deploy workflows that kept people organized, and build relationships across the company. Ron is known for his laid back yet fiery approach to getting things done. It's a combination worth calling out because it is that combination of fun and effectiveness that makes Ron such a great guy to have on your team.

    Kirsten Moledo, Director of Communications

  • Ron approaches digital product development with a creative vision to produce results that truly engage people. He has a strong sense of ownership and personal pride in projects under his direction. In addition, Ron is a real team player capable of building momentum behind innovative solutions. Crystal Jiang Greenhouse, Head of Digital Analytics

  • Ron is one of my favorite bosses. He's always been supportive of his department personnel and was open to new ideas and suggestions. I also found him to be a very fair and compassionate boss -- a good friend and he was such a fun mentor.

    Maria Cabardo, Director & Producer

  • As a leader, Ron is a community builder. When a problem or challenge occurs, he analyzes all variables and looks for solutions, enlisting the best talent to make those solutions a reality. He is fair, approachable, and willing to listen to the concerns from the community he has built. He has a eye towards the future and isn't afraid to experiment with new ideas. He is absolutely someone you want to have leading you forward.

    David Gallaher, Writer

  • Ron was always the go-to-guy that focused on delivering his projects on time. Ron has the integrity, willingness, discipline and creativity to own a responsibility and complete it. I highly recommend Ron to anyone that wants to get the job done right.

    Lisa Mills, Project Manager

  • Ron is a consummate professional. He keeps not just his finger but his whole hand on the digital pulse of the publishing industry. Ron is not adverse to risk, or leaps of faith, he is known to be right, a lot. Ron works well with others, he is creative and smart and can problem solve with the best of them.

    Jesus Reyes, Digital Producer

  • Ron is a perfect creative manager: smart, fair, and forward-thinking about the big picture and the details that go into it, and able to to balance the creative and business side of projects equally. I would work regularly with him again without hesitation.

    Kevin Colden, Graphic Designer

  • Ron is one of those people that you discover while working with them, that you find yourself wanting to work with again and again. He's resourceful and a great manager of time; able to juggle many projects and meet the deadlines and goals of each. He is highly creative - and always mindful of the user experience. Ron is exceptionally well-versed in all manner of digital media, and when necessary likes to get under the hood to understand how things work. I see this as a mark of an excellent manager and director; to make it his mission to know the in's and outs of how all the pieces fit together.

    Dan Gover, Artist