Derrick Christian

The gift of 2024! 🏅

Leading the strategy, design, curation and presentation of @unitedcenter artist gifts - among other responsibilities - continues to elevate the game with innovation and teamwork.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- My middle name is Lionel. Gifting @lionelrichie and connecting over it being pronounced LYE-NELL (not LIE-NULL) is epic. My son is Derrick III, so we bonded about the Lionel legacy living on.

- I’m from STL. Giving @nelly his flowers is key for me. I’m from the “Show Me State” & we had cool things to show him. Thanks @isaackeys for the assist + @astrotorfcustoms for the artwork.

- @jellyroll615’s album “Beautifully Broken” released on his Chicago show date. I realized a stained glass window is beautifully, intentionally broken and @megmakesstainedglass took the gift to the stars.

- I like to think outside the jersey, but gifting it as base and building on it with a gift worked well for @pesopluma, @feid, & @zachlanebryan.

- ‘@Russ Rugs’ had a nice ring to it and he always posts on social media from his home. We collabed with @rugsurycustoms to roll out the red carpet with three custom rugs. Also, “Bucket Hat Low” is triple platinum in my house.

- Out of the box ideas (literally and figuratively) for @danandshay (from @recothegreat), @theestallion (from @faultless_inspirations), @usher (from @thesparklecompanychicago / @candlecastleco ) and @carinleonoficial (@RecoTheGreat).

- @ben_rector & @haileywhitters released the duet “Color Up My World” and days later we made a coloring book with their lyrics. Their genuine surprise & appreciation in the video is what we chase.

- The art of the presentation is on full display for @timmytychilders. Set a bar of expectation and pass it quickly. We went from typical jerseys to a surprise @bhawktommyhawk appearance to custom bobbleheads in a #Blackhawks jersey for everyone.

- Last year, we gifted @therealtank and @jvalentine #RNBMoney glasses for their @rnbmoneypodcast. The gift made it to their podcast (as hoped!) to hundreds of thousands & counting. Great gifts are regarded and not discarded.

I’m proud of the work we did in 2024. Unwrapping 2025 next…

#Chicago #Marketing #2024