Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of EPiC Creative + Design, Erika Pryor joins Denison University as one of three new Global Commerce Executives-In-Residence in Fall 2021. Pryor brings her application-based approach to liberal arts learning while increasing opportunities for students and faculty to engage diverse executives with deep industry knowledge and specialization.
Pryor spent four years at Denison University as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication. Looking back on her time here, she says, “What I enjoyed most were the relationships I formed, many of which have endured.”
After her tenure at Denison, Pryor developed a flourishing career specializing in content marketing and strategy. Her experiences include working with McGraw Hill Education on the national marketing team; joining JobsOhio to develop statewide and international campaigns to attract new business and stimulate job growth in Ohio; and collaborating with The Ohio State University, University Libraries providing content strategy for a full-scale website redesign across an 11-library system.
Pryor also worked in Columbus and Cincinnati as community director of Venture For America, founded by a former presidential contender, Andrew Yang. In that role she helped recent college graduates launch their careers with startups, emerging business, and innovation centers.
Pryor’s company, EPiC Creative + Design, partners with small businesses, startups, entrepreneur support organizations, and enterprise brands to offer chief marketing officer and creative services. This approach offers agile business access to a team of knowledgeable marketing and creative professionals without incurring the expense of hiring a full-time CMO or team. EPIC offers clients inspired, informed, and implementation-focused marketing and business curriculum delivered on-demand, in-person, and in group-learning environments.
“Teaching and learning are at the heart of what we do. So, when Jane [Palmer] reached out to me about re-engaging with Denison in some way, curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to learn more,” said Pryor. Palmer said that “in 2021, there is growing excitement at the University around experience-based and applied learning.”
Pryor’s full residency for the fall semester includes fireside chats, hands-on workshops, and open office hours to engage with students and faculty. Additionally, EPiC Creative + Design will serve as an Intern Placement Site, working with up to four student interns during the semester.
“I have always been a vocal advocate of internships and experience-based learning. When I transitioned from DU, I took on an internship at a startup. It was how I got hooked on the excitement of content marketing and how I learned to translate my doctoral learning into high-impact, marketable skills.” explained Pryor.
“We are really pleased to have Dr. Pryor with us in residence this semester,” said Karen Spierling, director of the Global Commerce Program and professor of History. “Not only does she have a great sense of our campus community, but she also brings incredible experience, expertise, and energy,” she continued.
About EPiC Creative + Design, LLC: A fractional CMO and curriculum design agency founded by Erika Pryor. EPiC Creative + Design partners with small businesses, startups, entrepreneur support organizations, and enterprise brands to offer chief marketing officer, creative services, and access to inspired, informed, and implementation-focused marketing and business curriculum content on-demand, in-person and in group learning environments.