San Diego-based GDX Studios onboards Amanda Byrd as Director of Growth

San Diego-based GDX Studios, a full-service experiential marketing firm that creates, captures, and amplifies disruptive experiences, has appointed marketing veteran Amanda Byrd to the team as Director of Growth. In this role, Byrd will be responsible for taking the reins of the agency’s continued growth, leading new business and nurturing emerging client relationships. 

“What was once considered a peripheral aspect of media has now become the driving force behind amplifying all forms of media,” said Aaron Gaeir, founder of GDX Studios. “Brands are increasingly recognising the importance of experiential and in-real-life performances, and as a result, they are redirecting their media investments accordingly. Our ability to retain exceptional talent like Amanda Byrd is a clear indication of this paradigm shift.”

With over two decades of experience, Byrd has a proven track record of growing and expanding legacy and high-profile vice brands (Hustler and Penthouse), entertainment properties and technology startups. She began her career on the management teams where she played an instrumental role in successfully marketing their valuable IP to a mainstream audience. Byrd then gained beneficial experience on the agency side by developing creative licensing initiatives and placing retail programmes from Target to Topshop. 

In her most recent role as CMO for a cannabis-adjacent tech startup Philter Labs, Byrd successfully assisted the business launch, leading all aspects of consumer-facing marketing and customer retention. Through her strategic brand building, she grew the startup utilising a revenue-driven social approach, helped raise nearly $5mn in funding and generated interest and investment in the products with a Global 500 company, British American Tobacco. 

In her new role, Byrd will leverage her extensive knowledge and leadership skills to continue growing GDX Studios’ brand-direct clients while also expanding their partnerships and offerings within the industry. GDX is continuing to lead the way in this shift by creating live experiences that build authentic connections between brand and consumers, while also collecting valuable content and data to be leveraged across digital channels. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of the GDX family and work alongside such a talented and creative team,” said Byrd. “I sought out GDX as not only the west coast leaders in experiential marketing, but also because of the approach they take with their IRL experiences. GDX is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand of live events and provide the tangible touchpoint so many consumers are craving. As a marketing executive tracking the trends, I was eager to join a company so aligned with connecting consumers and brands in a meaningful and lasting way.” 

In 2008, Gaeir founded Grandesign as an OOH agency, with an experiential marketing arm that focused on execution. As the team and the industry continued to grow at an accelerated pace, Gaeir and his executive team decided to rebrand the agency to GDX Studios in 2020 to adapt to the significant shifts in the experiential marketing industry. GDX Studios is a holistic experiential marketing agency that provides brands with a range of additional services, aimed at enhancing each experience before, during, and after activation. The agency boasts an impressive client list, including FaZe Clan, NBC Sports, Hallmark Channel, Adult Swim, and more.