Laura Frisvold

Executive Creative Director

Now that you’re steering the creative ship, what’s the dream for where you’d love to take Maverick Studios Creative Team next?

The vision for Maverick Studios is to become a global creative trailblazer. Where creativity, technology, personalization, and collaboration merge to deliver high-quality, agile, and innovative work. By expanding our ability to execute mass deliverables and deepening our integration with the Hyderabad team, we’re not just extending our workflow; we’re building seamless, borderless creative. I’m excited to continue championing tools like Adobe Firefly and the Vault; not just as resources, but as catalysts for reimagining how we concept, design, and deliver personalized creative. The dream is a studio that produces exceptional work, is agile, experimental, and always ahead of the curve.

How has your idea of being a leader evolved as you’ve grown in your career—and what does it look like now in this new role?

Leadership for me has never been about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions and being eager to help others learn. Early in my career, I realized the importance of consistent brand systems and never saying no to a new opportunity. That mindset led me to work on pivotal projects like the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl logo and full branding for emerging concepts like Buffalo Wild Wings Express, Pizza Rev, and Rusty Taco. I touched everything from menus and wall graphics to social, web, and photography.


I also recognized early the potential of digital marketing and shifted from print-heavy work, like newspapers and POP displays, to digital-first thinking. That transition shaped how I lead today – with a focus on empowerment, experimentation, and growth. In this new role, I aim to be a connector and amplifier, helping our creatives find their voice, push boundaries, and stay grounded in brand strategy and business goals. It’s about fostering a culture where curiosity, collaboration, and clarity drive everything we do.

Looking back, what’s been the most pivotal moment in your creative career so far?

The most pivotal moment in my creative career was transitioning from maker to leader. Early in my career, I was focused on the craft of designing, storytelling, and creative execution. But stepping into leadership changed everything. I realized my impact could be multiplied through others. Building a team, mentoring talent, and shaping a creative culture became my greatest reward.

What’s one piece of advice you always give to rising creatives on your team?

Design is communication. I ask rising creatives to zoom out before they zoom in. Understand the brand, the audience, the platform. Ask questions. Collaborate. And above all, be curious. Get to the root of the problem you’re solving, not just the deliverable. The best creatives aren’t just good designers they’re insight-driven, emotionally intelligent, and relentlessly curious.

What is something you are most proud of?

I’m incredibly proud of how Maverick Studios has grown, not just in size but in scope and culture. We’ve expanded our capabilities, embraced new technologies, and taken on more strategic, brand-defining work. What makes me proudest is the culture we’ve built: one of collaboration, experimentation, and creative excellence.

What food trend do you secretly love (or love to hate)?

Hot Honey – Love it!  It’s the perfect blend of sweet and heat, and I love how it’s showed up in everything from pizza toppings to cocktails.

Ivan Zhu

Hi, my name is Ivan Zhu, and I am Production Intern at Maverick Studios for the Summer 2024 program. I am a creative and results-driven individual with a college background in both videography and photography. Maverick Studios has provided me with the opportunity to refine my skills and become well-rounded.

“Doing what has not been done before”

“Doing what has not been done before” is more than a slogan; it is the reason so many great talents gather in this family. During my internship, I participated in several productions, including market-test photoshoots for Jimmy John’s, Jimmy John’s International, Dunkin’ International, and Baskin Robbins. I also participated in a live event for SONIC and helped with recruitment marketing videos for Inspire Brands.

From pre-production to production and eventually post-production, I gained valuable experience from every crew member and each procedure, which I could never have learned in school. Surrounded by the best, learning from the best, and becoming the best, Maverick Studios has helped me successfully transition from a new graduate to a young professional.

Shakira Goodwin

Hello. I am Shakira Goodwin. I am a rising senior at Georgia State University with a major in Film and Media Production. I have had the honor of being invited to join the Summer Internship Program at Inspire Brands as a production intern under Maverick Studios. I am extremely grateful for this experience, which has afforded me many opportunities to learn and grow as a creative person.

This was my first internship, and I truly felt like I was making an impact by aiding the team on each project I worked on. One of the factors of this internship that I enjoyed the most was the level of responsibility I was granted on projects. As an intern, I was able to act as a manager, producer, set coordinator, and many other roles that helped me grow my skills for various levels of production.

My second favorite aspect of this internship experience would be the team members at Maverick Studios and Inspire Brands. Each person was willing to answer my numerous questions, no matter how funny, silly, or random they seemed. The team and the company culture are aspects I hope to find in my future roles. Every day had its challenges, but working with a fun and supportive team made each day more enjoyable.

Coming into this internship, my knowledge of the creative industry was limited, but this experience has shown me many opportunities for creative people to shine and aid different industries. Working for a food company wasn’t my dream, but it has been the greatest experience to date, with unique experiences like new product tasting and pretending to be an employee for a photoshoot.

This summer experience has been crazy, as it is my first internship with such rigor and reasonability. I’m excited to see how Mavericks Studios grows and what projects they work on in the future.

Read what Associate Creative Director, Rodrigo Posada, has to say about being a team leader, his inspirations, steps to be successful and more!

How do you keep your team motivated and productive under high pressure and tight deadlines?

It is very important to pay attention to each member of your Team during busy times. You want to make sure that the workload each of them is facing is manageable, and if it isn’t, come up with a plan to redistribute.

In some cases, some Team members might need some help prioritizing what’s on their plate. Assist them by identifying those opportunities and be in contact with clients, project managers or marketing peers to come up with a plan.

If needed, fold your sleeves and jump in to help. A Creative Team should be collaborative and supportive; it’s always “us”, never “me”. 

Who are some of your biggest influences from the world of art and design?

Hmmm. This is a tough one and probably a disappointing answer for some people. I probably don’t have individuals that come quickly to mind as a reference. With the limitless access to information we’ve had during the last 20 years, the internet, social platforms, etc., countless talented individuals and organizations have found a way to catch our eyes and brains and show us their skills and POVs. This makes it harder for me to stay attached to a few, rather than opening my eyes and absorb as much as I can from trends, ways of communication, new technology, etc. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to work with incredibly talented individuals along the way in my career, from whom I’ve tried to learn and use those learnings to help the evolution of my own professional career. But OK, from a design standpoint, I’ll give you a brand that I admire immensely: Nespresso.

What qualities does a creative director most need to be successful?

Be egoless: “Strong” personalities usually create toxic environments and work relationships, which can bring limitations to the quality of the work.

Focus on understanding individualities within the team: It is very important to learn about your team members’ skills, passions, and opportunities. This will allow you to produce the best work collectively, while you are providing valuable opportunities to the individuals.

Great creative work comes from collaboration: Creating a culture of collaboration is extremely important for a Creative Team and the work they produce. Individuals should be empowered to contribute their ideas at all times and for any project.

Be connected to your Team and have fun: In my opinion, establishing a good connection with your Team is extremely important. Encourage open and honest communication, remove layers and unify the group. And laugh together! As much as you can.

How do you measure the success of design?

This is a simple one, maybe a little cold of an answer but realistic IMO: by purchases, appropriate learning, change in behaviors, and individual or collective responses to specific visual communication.

When you are launching a new creative campaign, what does your research process look like?

I think it is very important to fully understand the following subjects and the focus of research should always start there:

  • The product or service you will promote
  • Your target audience and how they interact with it
  • The industry this product or service is part of YOUR COMPETITION!