Derek Westerlund

About Derek Westerlund

I’m the Director and Founder of Freeride Entertainment, a full-service content studio…

Experience

1. Founder Executive Producer

   Freeride Entertainment

   Sep 2000 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

   I founded Freeride as a production company specializing in adventure sports content and launched the company with a 10-part feature documentary series, NEW WORLD DISORDER, the most viewed mountain biking series of all time. My reputation for creating adrenaline-pumping content led to a partnership with Red Bull to architect their digital media strategy. During our 20+ year relationship, I’ve produced hundreds of pieces of content that have garnered billions of views, and worked with the Red Bull leadership team to expand their vision for media into to a full distribution platform, Red Bull TV, now the gold standard for branded content. My work with Red Bull is about reimagining what’s possible – from producing Red Bull Stratos, the #5 Ad Age Marketing Campaign of the 21 st Century, to creating the Emmy-winning mountain biking event Red Bull Rampage, which aired on FOX, NBC, and ESPN, to producing a Formula 1 stunt on ice that kicked off a 15 + year run of F1 stunts.After initiating the Red Bull partnership, I’ve grown Freeride into a full-service production studio to createpremium content for other major brands, as well as continuing production of documentary features. Highlights include:Creating a multi-platform series for Samsung following 3 Olympians on their journeys to PyeongchangDirecting Honda’s most-viewed commercial everUsing Dolby’s new 360-degree Atmos sound technology for the first time in a live concert for Deadmau5Creating 100% aerial directed spot for Lexus utilizing aerial shooting techniques to showcase the car in a visually arresting wayProducing a 4D immersive experience for Samsung where customers could step into skier Bode Miller’sboots to go for a virtual ski runConsulting with brands across verticals to develop strategic uses for AI in campaigns, messaging, andcontent strategyProducing and directing 15+ feature films, including ON ANY SUNDAY, KILIMANJARO: MOUNTAIN OF GREATNESS, DISTANCE BETWEEN DREAMS, and THE UNRIDEABLES

Education

• Selkirk College

  Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA

Skills

• Management
• Strategic Partnerships
• Live Events
• Editing
• Digital Marketing
• Producing
• Online Advertising
• Online Marketing
• Final Cut Pro
• Media Relations
• Video Production
• Marketing
• Copywriting
• Retail
• Photography
• Brand Development
• Product Marketing
• Social Networking
• Event Management
• Post Production
• Marketing Communications
• Budgets
• Creative Direction
• Sales Management
• Broadcast
• Photoshop
• Video
• Graphic Design
• Sponsorship
• Sports
• Marketing Management
• Sales
• Social Media
• Sports Marketing
• Brand Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Integrated Marketing
• New Media
• Advertising
• Social Media Marketing