Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Lydiah Merritt

Johnson City

Summary

Dynamic marketing director & creative strategist with 15+ years of experience building brands, growing audiences, and leading high-impact campaigns across nonprofit, festival, startup, and real estate sectors. Expert in storytelling, digital content, branding, and community-building.

Overview

2025
2025
years of professional experience

Work History

Marketing Director

United Way of East TN Highlands
Johnson City
06.2023 - 01.2025
  • Led all marketing and communications across 4 counties, managing social, email, video, and campaign strategy.
  • Directed crisis communications for Hurricane Helene, helping raise $800K to $10M+ in 24 hours.
  • Delivered keynote to 1,700+ people; built trust and donor engagement through powerful storytelling.

Marketing Director

Foundersforge Entrepreneur Center
Johnson City
03.2021 - 06.2023
  • Co-developed and branded Startup Mountain Summit, establishing primary revenue stream for organization.
  • Designed digital campaigns, hosted weekly events, and provided one-on-one consulting for high-growth founders.
  • Enhanced regional entrepreneurial ecosystem through strategic initiatives, content creation, and event participation.

Art Director /Senior Graphic Designer

Multiple Roles
Johnson City
06.2015 - 03.2020
  • Branded print and apparel for major festivals (e.g. Bonnaroo, Hangout, Electric Forest).
  • Managed layout and editorial design for The Loafer magazine (28–54 pages weekly).
  • Created custom vector art, managed screen printing production, and led design projects for apparel companies including Horton Sports Plus, American Screen Design, Gooder Labs, and Connect Game Apparell.
  • Operated Vandercook presses and sold original poster work at festivals through Pioneer House.

Marketing Director

Blue Plum Music Festival
Johnson City
  • Developed branding for all festival assets: shirts, posters, banners, passes, and merchandise with letterpress designs

Co-Founder

Appalachian Creative Marketing Meetup
Johnson City
  • Created, branded, and led the region’s largest marketing meetup, fostering cross-industry collaboration and growth.

Marketing Specialist

Century 21 Legacy
East Tennessee
  • Managed marketing for 10 offices: social media, video, print, recruitment, and email campaigns.
  • Developed personalized brand strategies for top agents and local startups.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Graphic Design

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
01-2017

Associate of Arts - Commercial Photography

Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, TN
01-2014

Some College (No Degree) - Fine Arts

Watkins College of Art, Design, And Film
Nashville, TN

Skills

  • Campaign strategy
  • Event management
  • Content creation
  • Public speaking
  • Team collaboration
  • Data-driven decision-making
  • Branding
  • Marketing

Affiliations

  • Loves gardening, hot sauce, and tea

Timeline

Marketing Director

United Way of East TN Highlands
06.2023 - 01.2025

Marketing Director

Foundersforge Entrepreneur Center
03.2021 - 06.2023

Art Director /Senior Graphic Designer

Multiple Roles
06.2015 - 03.2020

Marketing Director

Blue Plum Music Festival

Co-Founder

Appalachian Creative Marketing Meetup

Marketing Specialist

Century 21 Legacy

Bachelor of Arts - Graphic Design

East Tennessee State University

Associate of Arts - Commercial Photography

Pellissippi State Community College

Some College (No Degree) - Fine Arts

Watkins College of Art, Design, And Film

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Lydiah Merritt