User:JAnderson-P/sandbox

Mario Batres
Is an American graphic designer, animator, and art director known for the development of web properties and advertising campaigns for renowned brands including Citrix, Sony, Ford, Warner Records, Viacom (now Paramount Global), Kraft Foods, and Electronic Arts.

Early Life and Education
Mario was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Southern-California. He demonstrated artistic talent from a young age, being inspired by 80's popular culture. While still in grade school his illustrations were on display inside Jim Henson's studios. After high school, Mario attended California State Polytechnic University in Pomona while also being accepted to Art Center College of Design and Cal Arts.

Professional Life
In the mid-nineties, Mario started a career as a traditional animator. Mario was hired by boutique video game creator Vortex Media Arts and worked on The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield for FOX Interactive and Gen13 for WildStorm Studios.

In the early 2000's, Mario moved to Seattle Washington and began work for Smashing Ideas (now Luxoft) where he helped create animated episodic web series, Zombie College and Garbage Island for Icebox. While at Smashing Ideas, Mario transitioned to digital animation and web design. He worked on projects for Warner Records, Ford, Nick Jr, and Kraft Foods.

In 2006, Mario Batres and his young family moved to Santa Barbara, California. He was hired by Citrix Systems and rose up the Marketing department ranks to become lead visual designer for the GoToMeeting brand. During that time, GoToMeeting increased market share and revenue reached 10 million US dollars annually.