MLT Portfolio

MLT Portfolio

Derek Talbott | CP 2025

start

Index

1.

5.

Pitch

Career Leader

2.

6.

Resume

Target List

3.

7.

LinkedIn

STAR Method

4.

8.

Personal Clarity

Timeline

My Pitch

Hey there, I'm Derek Talbott, an immigrant, and first-generation student and QuestBridge scholar at Pomona College. I am an organized, detail-oriented and multi-hyphenate, creative problem-solver; as such, I enjoy using my storytelling and artistic skills to create captivating narratives for products and services in both the tech and entertainment industries. Previously, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute as a Design & Animation intern at Trees.app, a promising startup. In this role, I was responsible for producing an engaging explainer video that effectively communicated the company's mission and purpose, targeting investors and college partners with great success. More recently, I’ve taken on the position of Head of Marketing at Sparkathon, an impact-driven case competition held at The Claremont Colleges. Within this capacity, I've spearheaded the development of compelling marketing campaigns utilizing various mediums such as posters, social media, and web design. These initiatives have been instrumental in attracting and engaging crucial partnerships and student participants, solidifying Sparkathon's standing as the largest event of its kind. Through these and various other experiences, my ambition to pursue a career in either Product Marketing or Content Marketing within the tech or entertainment industry has been firmly cemented."

Resume

LinkedIn

Personal Clarity

Strengths

As an artist and intellectual, my biggest strengths are 1) Creative Thinking, 2) Critical Thinking, 3) Attention to detail, 4) Discipline, 5) Self Control

My biggest passions are writing and art. I've developed them through literature and painting.

Barriers

Some of my biggest barriers to success include: 1) Imposter Syndrome, 2) Perfectionism, 3) Indecisiveness

As a writer and artist, I bring a unique blend of storytelling and design expertise to the table. My passion for both words and images fuels my drive to create captivating marketing campaigns for products and services in the tech and entertainment industries.

Growth

I plan to overcome these barriers by grounding myself on my personal journey, adjusting my standards, and taking risks by making decisions with the information at hand.

Interests & Motivators

I'd like to have a job that gives me the necessary free time to focus on family and my personal passions.

01. Life style

01. Creative Production

I'd like to have a job with a stable salary, benefits, and the opportunity for professional growth and development.

02. Theory Dev. & Research

02. Security

I'd like to have a job that offers a consistent intellectual challenge, forcing me to think in new and different ways.

03. Quantitative Analysis

03. Intellectual Challenge

Skills & Watch-Outs

I should stick to my ideas and generate practical results. Creativity and innovation are not enough.

01. Practicality

01. Written Communication

I should avoid work that requires quick decision-making such as trading and business exchange.

02. Resilience

02. Job Type

I should practice decision-making by sharpening my case interview skills.

03. Ability to Compromise

02. Projection of Confidence

03. Case Interviews

Themes

3. Organization & Attention to Detail

1. Critical Thinking & Creative Problem-Solving

I'm a versatile problem-solver who approaches challenges through close analysis and logical reasoning, while also demonstrating resourcefulness and innovation to consistently generate unique and effective solutions.

I'm a meticulous and structured professional who consistently demonstrates exceptional organizational abilities, pays careful attention to the smallest details, and efficiently manages tasks and projects to ensure accuracy and precision.

2. Empathy, Communication, and Storytelling

I'm a compassionate and engaging communicator that is able to connect, listen actively and understand multiple perspectives, while also being capable of crafting impactful and emotional narratives.

Target List

Accenture

Deloitte

Apple

Meta

Google

SONG

SHINE

Product Marketing

Product Marketing

BOLD

Neflix

Warner Bros.

The Walt Disney Co.

Comcast

Activision

Creative Marketing

Creative Marketing

Creative Marketing

Marketing & Communciations

Creative Marketing

Situation

STAR Method

It was the night before the Sparkathon and many of logistics for the event had not been resolved. We were still in the middle of setting up the space for the competition and had forgotten to print out the check for the winners.

WHAT WOULD YOUR LAST MANAGER, PROFESSOR OR TEAM LEADER SAY ARE YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESSES AND WHY?

Task

I was tasked with designing the checks for the winners by hand since the printing room was already closed. Aside from this, I also had to finish and edit the slide deck presentation for the event

My last team leader would say that one of my greatest weaknesses is perfectionism. Although attention to detail can make a project look more aesthetically appealing and coherent, it can become a detractor when time and resources are scarce. Sometimes we have to sacrifice the part for the integrity of the whole.

Action

I went to the store and bought white cardboard to draw the checks on. I used a reference image from the internet and decided to add more details to make the checks look more stylistically appealing. However, my team leader pointed out that doing so was not in our best interest given the limited time we had to finish the remaining tasks.

Result

I understood my team leader's request and decided to speed up my design process by letting go of trivial details and focusing on the important information. This enabled me to finish the checks on time and move on to my next task. By the end of the night, all design work had been successfully completed and the completion was ready to start.

Situation

STAR Method

At the start of my creative internship at Trees.app, my supervisor and PM presented me an infographic that explained the app's mission through the visual metaphor of trees.

COULD YOU PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU APPLIED YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS TO CREATIVELY SOLVE A PROBLEM, OVERCOME A CHALLENGE OR INNOVATE AN EXISTING IDEA?

Task

I was tasked with turning this infographic into an explainer video that could more effectively convey the app's effect on college students by illustrating struggle and growth through different scenarios.

Action

First, I interviewed the CEO to gain more insights about the mission and purpose of the company. After reflecting on the interview and the infographic, I wrote a script that used the metaphor of trees to express the app's function and effect on students. Then, I created a storyboard and, finally, and animation using Adobe Illustrator and After Effects.

As a Design & Animation intern, I used my analytical skills to conduct an interview, synthesize information, and present it in a new and more engaging format, i.e. an explainer video that effectively communicated the company's mission and purpose.

Result

I created an engaging explainer video that effectively conveyed the company's mission and purpose. The video is currently featured in the company's website and is used as part of the CEO's pitch deck to target investors and college partners.

Situation

STAR Method

A new online seminar for the Renaissance Project Collective was coming up and my professor needed me to get their website ready in order to run the event.

TALK ABOUT A TIME WHEN A PROJECT DID NOT GO AS PLANNED. HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THE SITUATION AND HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THE SAME SCENARIO DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE?

Task

I was tasked with creating an event on the website for the seminar that would allow participants to RSVP and receive an email the day-of with the zoom information for the meeting so they could join.

Action

I downloaded a plug-in that should have allowed me to create events and RSVPs to send the zoom information via email. However, the plug-in was not working correctly. I investigated the issue by watching several tutorials but it seemed there was a problem with plug-in's code conflicting with another's. However, I realized I could still use the "Add to Calendar" that was generated for every event.

While working on a website to create an events and RSVP feature, I used a plug-in that was not correctly. However, I was able to fix the problem by using the auto-generated feature "Add to Calendar" that still allowed participants to add a reminder with the respective zoom information for the meeting. If I would have had more time, I would have approached the situation differently by consulting a CS friend or ChatGBT to fix the code.

Result

Although the "Add Calendar" feature did not send emails, it allowed participants to add an event reminder to their calendars with the respective zoom information. This solution still allowed the Renaissance Project Collective to host the online seminar succesfully.

Timeline

Career Prep Fellow Timeline

Summer 2023

01

04

TREES.APP Product Marketing Internship

Personal & Professional Growth

Acquire and practice new marketing skills and add new content to my portfolio. Continue learning about the tech industry through machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Attend MLT Webinars and complete assignments. Read 48 Laws of Power and Case Interview Secrets. Complete Forage marketing courses.

05

Entrepreneurship

02

MOCEAN Original Content Internship

Help my friend's construction business by creating a business card and website displaying his portfolio. Perhaps also start working on my own NFT project with friends.

Learn more about the entertainment industry, MOCEAN's partners, and possible roles I could pursue given my skill set and interests. Also add new content to my portfolio.

03

Research & Network

Connect with school and MLT alumni working in my target companies in order to learn more about their trajectory and the industries they work in.

Target Industries & Roles

01

PMM or PM in Tech

Strategically managing and promoting products throughout their lifecycle to drive customer satisfaction, market growth, and business success. MLT Partners: Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, Intuit, Adobe

02

Creative Director/Producer in Entertainment

Leading and overseeing a creative team, shaping the company's artistic vision, and ensuring the development of innovative and impactful campaigns that effectively communicate the brand message. MLT Partners: Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Activision Blizzard, CAA

Bar of Excellence

03

Google

01

Netflix

Data-Driven Mindset: Being able to leverage data and insights to make informed decisions is highly valued at Google. Strong data analysis skills, statistical knowledge, and the ability to derive actionable insights from data sets can contribute to success in many roles. SMART Goal: Complete SQL and Data Analytics Courses on Coursera by end of Summer

Decision-Making: Strong and wise decision-making enables Netflix to make strategic choices, capitalize on opportunities, and deliver a compelling streaming experience to its users. SMART Goal: Complete 10 mock case study interviews on Case Study Club by end of Summer.

02

Apple

Adaptability and Agility: Apple operates in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities. Being adaptable, flexible, and able to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, tools, and methodologies is important for success. SMART Goal: Take on a Leadership in Sparkathon/5x5 Film Club as Co-President next semester.

Partner Research: Netflix

Why Netflix

Netflix sets itself apart from competitors like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max because it has an extensive content library with an emphasis on original programming. Moreover, Netflix is available in over 190 countries, giving it a truly global presence. This extensive international footprint provides Netflix with a significant advantage over some of its competitors, allowing it to reach a diverse audience and expand its subscriber base worldwide. Yet it is also its data-driven approach, user experience, and commitment to innovation that set it apart from its competitors, contributing to its success as a leading streaming platform.

Skills for Creative Marketing Internship:

1) Creativity & Innovation: Spearhead comeback marketing campaign for Sparkathon by designing posters, social media posts, ads, and website to attract and engage over 150 participants. 2) Storytelling & Communication: Wrote, designed, and animated an explainer video that effectively conveyed Trees.app's mission and purpose in a succinct and compelling manner to attract and engage college partners and investors. 3) Brand Management: Designed multiple graphic assets for Trees.app such as the pitch deck, website slides, and logo animation, among others, thereby expanding the company's branding assets following the company's style guidelines.

Partner Research: Apple

Why Apple

Apple is unique compared to competitors like Samsung, Microsoft, and Google in several ways. The company stands out with its tightly integrated ecosystem in which hardware, software, and services seamlessly work together across devices. Apple's focus on design excellence and user experience sets it apart, with sleek aesthetics and intuitive interfaces. Vertical integration also gives Apple control over the entire production process, optimizing hardware and software integration. The company's strong brand image and customer loyalty contribute to a robust ecosystem of users who trust Apple's quality and innovation. Additionally, Apple's emphasis on privacy and security, along with features like end-to-end encryption and privacy-focused policies, appeals to privacy-conscious consumers. These factors collectively distinguish Apple from its competitors in the tech industry

Skills for Marketing Internship:

1) Adaptability: Designed and developed a website using WordPress to help an English professor host online seminars without prior knowledge of this software. 2) Resourcefulness: Used After Effects to create a concept video for a swipe-mode app feature in lieu of Figma. 3) Attention to Detail: Designed an entire animation frame by frame, thereby managing every single detail of the animation.

Partner Research: Google

Why Google

Google's work culture is characterized by innovation, risk-taking, and a focus on user experience. The company encourages employees to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and embrace a "fail fast, learn faster" mindset. Collaboration, openness, and data-driven decision-making are key aspects, fostering teamwork, knowledge sharing, and informed decision-making based on data analysis. Google values diversity and inclusion, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in driving creativity and innovation. Additionally, the company promotes work-life balance, employee well-being, and corporate social responsibility through various programs and initiatives.

Skills for Google BOLD: Marketing & Communciations Internship

1) Strategic thinking: Developed and executed marketing strategies such as email campaigns, blog posts, social media posts, and digital ads to drive product awareness for Trees.app. 2) Project Management: Led the comeback marketing campaign for Sparkathon by recruiting and collaborating with graphic designers, web developers, social media managers, and staff writers to produce email campaigns, social media posts, and digital ads. 3) Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Taught myself how to use WordPress to design and develop a website from scratch that helps more than 250 professors and critics around the country come together in virtual seminars.

Thanks!

"The essence of all beautiful art, of all great art, is gratitude." -- Friedrich Nietzsche