ABOUT

Rick Rekedal currently holds residency at Belmont University as senior fellow for storytelling. His award-winning career includes more than two decades at DreamWorks Animation where he served as chief creative, global franchises; head of global interactive; and head of licensing & retail marketing. He worked on projects including “Kung Fu Panda,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Trolls,” “The Prince of Egypt,” “Saving Private Ryan,” among many others while at DreamWorks. After his time at DreamWorks, Rekedal served as Executive Vice President of global marketing and branding at Breyer and founded StoryCrate™. Most recently, he served as president and acting CEO of Christian publisher David C Cook. 

Rick is the author of several books with “The Cry of Ramah©” releasing in October 2024. A book, dedicated to the Young Adult audience, helps them connect authentically with the entire Christmas Story with the thesis of “finding hope out of our darkest trauma.” The Cry of Ramah is the first in the UnVarnished series. He also wrote, “One Small Step©,” about a young family facing alcoholism and recovery told through Rick’s eyes as a young boy. “Shapes: Rise of the Jaggeds©,” a comic book series with Cave Pictures Publishing.

Rick through the StoryCrate™ company has advised some of the largest brand owners find their story to connect them to their consumers.

Rick is the winner of numerous awards, some are: two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards; two Annie Awards for Best Animated Videogame; Toy of the Year; Family Board Game of the Year; and Action Figure of the Year.

Rick and Vicki met in college. They have been married for more than three decades raising three beautiful daughters: Ingrid who is married to Max, Ellen, and Audrey along with some special fur friends.