Ed Ulbrich

I am a visual effects executive and producer and with CEO and P&L experience, and 25+ years of experience in the start-up, operations, growth, turnaround and M&A of major visual effects companies. I have extensive experience managing companies and teams through critical transitions to achieve creative, operational and financial success. I have a track record of driving creative excellence, revenue, and profits through leadership, creative innovation, talent development, geographic expansions, acquisitions, and cost reduction while leading companies through major transformations. I also have extensive, hands-on visual effects production experience across blockbuster feature films, series, location based entertainment, and advertising.

Currently, I am a visual effects consultant for productions, studios, production companies and brands across films, television, and branded content. Previously, I was President of Visual Effects at Deluxe Entertainment Services Group; one of the largest, global creative services companies in feature films, series and advertising. I was responsible for the company’s global visual effects business, Method Studios, including its overall strategic direction and managing the company's day-to-day global operations. With 8 studio locations across 3 continents, 1500+ employees and an extraordinary depth of talent and capability worldwide, it was a privilege to lead Method’s strategic alignment and expansion, and to unify its visual effects capabilities and offerings globally.

I am also the former CEO of renowned visual effects company Digital Domain. Hired by co-founders Scott Ross, James Cameron and Stan Winston during its start-up in 1993, I helped build, grow and manage Digital Domain into one of the most acclaimed, multi-Academy Award©-winning, visual effects studios in the world. I held many senior executive positions during my 20 years at the company including President of its Commercials Division, EVP of Production, and ultimately CEO in 2012. I am deeply grateful for the incredible times, amazing work, many life-lessons, lasting friendships and the great pleasure of working with and learning from the brightest and best talent in the industry.

I also produced the film, Ender’s Game, starring Harrison Ford, Viola Davis and Sir Ben Kingsley and I produced the Tupac Shakur "Hologram" with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg as part of their Coachella Music Festival performances. I served as visual effects producer on Warner Bros.' blockbuster Suicide Squad. I also executive produced Academy Award©-winning visual effects for Titanic, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and What Dreams May Come, as well as visual effects for Avenger's: Infinity Wars, Aquaman, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, among many others; music videos for The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and many more; and over 500 commercials. I was honored to be named one of the 100 most creative people in business by "Fast Company” magazine.  I have spoken about creativity, technology and innovation at top conferences and corporate events including TED, Sundance, SXSW, NASA, Apple, Google, Activision and others.

After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1987 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, I started my professional life as a commercial producer at The Leo Burnett Company in Chicago, Illinois.