A LITTLE ABOUT ME
30+ years in the industry.
A clearer path for your business.
I’m Ellie Altomare—a marketing consultant, creative industry connector, and animal advocate. I help artists, studios, and production teams communicate their value and build meaningful business relationships.
What experience does Ellie bring to your business?
My career spans more than 30 years in creative marketing and strategic sales: 25 years with Serbin Communications and Directory of Illustration, and five years with LE BOOK and CONNECTIONS. I have also worked on specialized outreach and talent positioning for AtEdge and the Medical Illustration & Animation program.
My work has centered on helping commercial artists, production studios, and specialized creative teams explain what makes them distinctive and develop relationships with art buyers, producers, and creative directors. That background informs a practical approach to your positioning, outreach, and business growth.
CAREER EXPERIENCE ACROSS
30+ years in creative marketing · 25 years with Serbin Communications · 5 years with LE BOOK / CONNECTIONS
Why am I passionate about helping creative businesses?
I love helping people turn creative talent into a business with a clear direction. Working with artists, animators, photographers, and production teams has shown me how much thought goes into the work itself. My focus is helping that work reach an audience that understands its value and has a reason to commission it.
I enjoy the intersection of creative thinking and commercial problem-solving: understanding what makes your studio or portfolio distinctive, finding a compelling way to present it, and turning that clarity into a useful next step.
As AI changes how creative businesses operate and market themselves, I focus on practical ways it can support research, planning, and outreach. Your creative judgment, professional relationships, and visual point of view remain central to the work.
Who do I work with?
My consulting is for creative businesses: production companies, commercial animation studios, artist representatives, photographers, illustrators, medical animators, and independent creative teams. The common thread is strong work that needs a clearer commercial story. I am based in the Santa Barbara area and work remotely with businesses across different locations and time zones.
- Creative studios and production teams developing their market position
- Artist representatives and creative agencies refining how they present their talent
- Medical animators and commercial illustrators reaching relevant commissioners
- Independent filmmakers and photographers building client relationships
PERSPECTIVES FROM CREATIVE CLIENTS
“Her marketing and consulting experience is the epitome of professionalism”
“Ellie's professionalism and experience can help streamline any artist's road to success.”
Short excerpts from received LinkedIn recommendations. Read more client perspectives.
How do I approach a consulting engagement?
I start by understanding your business, current pipeline, and creative work before suggesting tactics. We look at what you sell, who you want to reach, what you have already tried, and what your team can sustain. From there, we agree a priority, specific deliverables, and a practical next step you can act on.
Book a free 10-minute consultation ↗Why does animal advocacy matter to my work?
Animal advocacy is an important part of my life. Fostering and helping dogs find homes has shown me how much a clear story and the right connection can matter. It is another expression of what draws me to marketing: helping people see something valuable, understand it, and take a meaningful next step.
I bring that same attention to people and purpose into my consulting. A message should be accurate and specific, but it should also help someone care. Whether the goal is a better client conversation or support for a cause, I believe good communication starts with listening and telling the truth with heart.
MY CREATIVE PRACTICE
Explore my fine art
Alongside my consulting work, I have a creative practice of my own. You can explore my artwork through my Fine Art America store, where available pieces and print options are listed. It is another way to get to know the creative side of the person behind the consulting.
Shop my fine art prints ↗LET’S FIND YOUR NEXT STEP
What could move your creative business forward?
Book a free 10-minute consultation to talk about your creative business, the clients you want to reach, and the challenge you would most like to address. Bring a question about your positioning, portfolio, outreach, or AI workflow, and we can explore a useful starting point for your next step.
Book a free 10-minute consultation ↗