JAMES MANNING
Content Creator & Creative Strategist
After leading multi-million dollar marketing campaigns across CPG, SaaS, DTC, and B2B, James Manning has earned a reputation as the go-to strategist for brands that refuse to blend in. His work sits at the intersection of performance marketing, content storytelling, and design-led execution, making him a rare hybrid of creative thinker and data-driven operator.
Over the past decade, James has mastered performance funnels and helped brands reinvent their messaging, while building content strategies that generate revenue and brand loyalty. Founders, franchises, and high-growth startups seek him out for his ability to translate brand identity into results.
VIDEO WORK
VIDEO WORK
Product Focused Explainer Video
This two-man crew video shoot was featuring a specific product and the owner of the company. Artgratia wanted to showcase its company's culture through a video that can be placed on the homepage of their website. As the director, a cohesive video being produced and providing the brand with plenty of content that they can repurpose later was important to me. In a single day shoot, we were able to provide ample amounts of content that could be reproduced it into numerous formats, creating assets the company can reuse for years.
“The Office” Parody Commercial - Part 1
As the creative strategist and director, I have always believed that the best marketing doesn’t simply sell a product; it tells a story that resonates. These commercials allowed me to put this philosophy into practice. The goal to revive the brands digital presence and connect with a younger demographic without alienating their loyal customer base. These video ads perfectly bridged holiday heritage and modern pop culture: combine Santa Claus with a parody of the popular sitcom The Office. Santa appears as an intern working at the bakery, navigating the quirky day‑to‑day tasks of fruitcake production.
“The Office” Parody Commercial - Part 2
Looking back on the first project, we were struck by how it exemplified the principles of effective storytelling and marketing. We positioned Collin Street Bakery, its employees and some holiday traditions as the stars. Due to the success of the first video, we had to shoot a sequel. So we amped up the amount of characters, jokes, and even got the owner of Collin Street Bakery to do a scene.
Skatepark Renovation Promo Video
This was a two-man crew video, and a fun shoot. We had to run and gun because there was no script or plan really. My favorite skate park, 4DWN was working on building projects and asked if we were available to capture what was happening to improve the park and non profit facilities.
Infomercial Style Video
The idea for this Collin Street Bakery video series came from the QVC style approach to selling products. Since the main demographic for these products are 65+ years old, it seemed right to craft video content that is tailored to the audience. Typically, customers would receive a print catalog in the mail with these products and prices. I wanted to create a video that featured all the same information, but could be used to accompany the direct mail components, supporting it online via YouTube, Meta, email campaigns, and on the website home page. The videos quickly informed the customers of the features and benefits, resulting in an outstanding ROAS on the ads produced using the videos.
About Us Video - Truth Academy
This run and gun shoot was extremely rewarding. Truth Academy is a ground-breaking private school located in Pleasant Grove of the Dallas school district of Texas. Prior to having video assets, the school did not have a cost effective way to increase enrollments to open before the upcoming school season. Using a short video, we showed the features and benefits of enrolling in Truth Academy. The informative video was featured on the home page of their website. The school exceeded their projected enrollments by 12% for that school year based on increased brand awareness on YouTube and Facebook.
Video FAQ Series
This video series was conceptualized as a result of the enormous amount of questions that would flood the customer service teams for the company. To answer these frequently questions in advance, via a video series that was published on social media and via the email newsletter.
Podcast with Skateboarding Legends - Kareem Campbell, Rob Cahill, and Tony Hawk
I was truly blessed to be the Show Runner of this podcast and to be able to work with my skateboarding heroes, Kareem Campbell and Rob Cahill on “The Ghetto Bird Show”. This episode features the skateboarding pros discussing the release of the new Tony Hawk video game, and the legends surrounding the man himself. It was a different type of shoot than the rest, as it was the first time there was a guest that was not in the studio. Back then, video conferencing was not as smooth as it is these days.
How To Video Recipe - Cupcake Bouquet
While working at Collin street Bakery one day, I discovered this beautiful cupcake display. I rushed to speak with the cake decorator, who said this is something they produce in the retail locations and always sell out for Valentines Day. Naturally, I saw it as an opportunity to create some compelling content. Since this is a product that could only be seen if you happen to go in to one of the retail locations, it was the first time the worldwide audience could see it. This video delighted audiences and generated online revenue simply by featuring the product in Valentines Day email campaigns.
Eric Kuhns Skate Video Promo
Anytime someone wants to go skateboarding, I am ready and willing to bring my camera along. When my friend Eric Kuhns asked to skate and film one day, we did just that. Eric is an actor, author, YouTuber, and skateboarding content creator that has collaborated with me on many projects and I am impressed by his skill and work ethic every time.
How To Video - Fruitcake Stuffing
This was an amazing project that came together based on pure necessity. The company’s online sales in November needed a boost, and discounting products was not an option. After several brainstorming sessions, I found out about this long forgotten recipe for thanksgiving style stuffing made with DeLuxe fruitcake. We shot a video demonstrating the recipe. This gave customers that typically would only buy their fruitcake in December, to also buy another cake in November specifically to be able to have all the ingredients necessary for the recipe. It was wildly successful, and is featured in the marketing mix every November since.
Non Profit Lifestyle Video
Harvest Project is a non profit organization that assists the DFW area as a food rescue food bank. This was a great day of volunteering and capturing clips of some amazing people in the Dallas community.
Product Focused Video Ad Campaign
This video was part of a series of videos that were launched as ad campaigns on YouTube and Meta. The head baker was featured in this particular video, and other bakers on the staff were featured in the other videos in the series. The 6 video series had a 10.5 X ROAS and was used in many other marketing assets.
Summer Camp Promotion
This run and gun shoot was on location in Austin, TX. iCode Schools is an innovative after school and summer camp STEM K-12 education franchise. Prior to having video assets, the school did not have a cost effective way to increase summer camp enrollments. Using a short video, we showed the features and benefits of enrolling in iCode School.
Unboxing Video of Flagship Product
When brainstorming ways to create content around a specific product, we decided that a specific YouTube video trend would be the perfect fit—an unboxing video. This video allowed for the long form content and stories from the VP of the company to inform and inspire viewers.
Motion Graphic Explainer
This was a completely different type of video for several reasons. The goal of the content was to tackle some of the misinformation and rhetoric around a product for the bakery. Using story boards, voice over, and talented motion graphics animators, we put together a video that was a unique conversion driving asset for the brand. Placing this video on the amazon and e-commerce product pages immediately increased conversion rates.
Skateboarding and Autism - Non Profit Video
Even though this video was shot early in my career, it still stands out to me. Not because of the work on the video, but the cause itself. My level of joy was off the charts when I saw what A-Skate, a non profit that helps children with autism to ride skateboards, was doing in the community. Whenever someone hops on a skateboard for the first time, it can be magical. I was happy we were able to capture some of that magic in this video. The volunteers of A-Skate and 4DWN Project spread that joy effortlessly, and we are all grateful.
Cave Exploration and Discovery Video
I was honored to be able to support PESH in its scientific ambitions by documenting what was accomplished on their expeditions in this video. When I discovered that this group was sent product for their trips, I had to meet and interview Bill Steele, PESH Co-Leader. He described how his group of enterprising cavers stayed energized and focused because of the products provided by the bakery, during their annual month-long scientific exploration of the Sistema Huautla.
Taste Test Commercial Video Series
This was an event! While this video shoot was a larger production for the bakery, everything fell into place perfectly. I needed to ensure that we had plenty of foot traffic at our location during the shoot, so I ran geo-targeted Meta ads to bring the testers in. Shooting this commercial while the cafe was open and serving customers was complicated, but we had a 10 person crew to assist and everything ran smoothly. For the first time, we got real people, not actors, to try the product on camera. Some, were trying fruitcake for the first time ever.
Robert Brink Interview - Skate To Create Podcast
I hosted a top ranked podcast early in my career called “Skate To Create”. I was able to interview my skateboarding heroes and living legends in the industry. This is one of those interviews with epic content creator, Rob Brink.
Website Checkout Explainer Video
When Collin Street Bakery built a new website with enhanced functionality, there was a need to explain the functionality to the older demographic that was used to the way the previous website worked. After many customer service inquiries, it seemed like a video was an effective way to communicate the sites features. After careful scripting and story boarding, this animated explainer video conveyed all the information needed for the existing website users to be able to effortlessly use the new site.
4DWN Skatepark Promo Video
The 4DWN skatepark and non profit organization 4DWN Project hosted many community events. This video was used to promote their events and reasons for existing. Co-Founder and Pro skateboarder, Rob Cahill breaks down why skateboarding means so much kids, and how 4DWN Project inspires positive change in the community.
Storytelling Video Featuring Coffee
This video was shot and edited over a weekend to be used in an exclusive online promotion. Cinchona, the coffee brand owned by CSB, was not under the same name. This would often lead to confusion for customers. Since it was not well known to the existing customers, this video was created to inform the audience about the coffee and its origins.
User Generated Content To Video Ads
This is a special video, as its been a whole childhood in the making. When I discovered that there was a customer that routinely sent videos every year of his son enjoying the products, I knew they all had to be compiled and shown off to more people then worked at the bakery. These videos were edited together and were released as video ads on Meta. With a 13.4 X ROAS, it was clear that customers loved this video.
User Generated Content Follow Up Interview
Dan and Charlie returned to discuss what has happened since the first video was released. The initial video ad was so successful, it seemed fitting to see what the father and son thought about their new fame.
Vacation Trip Turns Into Promotion Video
When the VP of Collin Street Bakery went on a fishing trip to Alaska and took some product with him, we had no idea it was going to lead to a compelling video. With some voice over, iPhone pics, and video clips, we edited this video asset that featured several products.