Meet Karim Rashad of HM Branding in Marietta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karim Rashad.

Karim, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My creative story started in High School in New Jersey. I went to a vocational school called BCIT where I studied Advertising Art & Design.

I went to college in Virginia at Roanoke College for Business and Communication, where I interned at MTV in NYC for shows like TRL and MADE. This is where I was exposed to video production.

After college I was a Jr. Graphic Designer for a marketing firm in Princeton New Jersey who focused on pharmaceutical clients. My boss told me I had too much creativity to stay there and it would be a shame to see me waste my talent.

With no job and very little job experience, I started my own company to create my own experience. HM Branding was born.

I learned how to help clients build their brand. I learned how to shoot video and photography in order to bring my client’s vision to life.

The skills I learned in my company led me to other great opportunities. Art Director for a sneaker production company, Technical Director for a news station, sports producer and Content Creator for a D1 school. Things I would have never been able to do if I didn’t take the initiative. I’m very grateful for the opportunities and help I received along the way.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road was very difficult and still is. I’ve been very blessed to have a great foundation of family and friends that encourage me to keep going. I also have an amazing mentor that guided me through some tough ups and downs within business.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the HM Branding story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a Creative Director mostly known for my photography and video. I enjoy understanding a client’s vision and helping them bring it to life. I always tell them it’s a partnership. The more I understand the more I can help. There’s so much that goes into running a business. If don’t lighten the load for my client creatively, I’m not doing my job correctly.

I believe the relationship I have with my clients sets me apart. I try to work with clients I believe in. Clients that have a purpose for what they are trying to achieve. It makes me work harder for them. It can be a clothing line, nonprofit, artist, etc. If I believe in their purpose and work ethic, I’m all in.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next few years I see my company evolving into a more mainstream agency. Growing with my existing clients and being a recognizable name in various industries. Sports, fashion, art, music, the auto industry you name it.

My goal is to connect different people in various cultures to one another. Provide jobs and help people follow their dreams.

Content is King, and the industry doesn’t seem to be slowing down. I hope that in this sea of advertising I can get the right message, to the right people, in the right way.

Contact Info:

• Website: Karimrashad.com
• Email: karim@karimrashad.com
• Instagram: Karimrashad

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