Summary of Qualifications
Frankie Colamarino is a founder, operator, and creative director with more than two decades of experience building at the intersection of culture, media, technology, gaming, fashion, and entertainment.
He is the founder of Problem, an integrated creative and technology company that helps brands, platforms, communities, and founders turn ideas into fully realized systems. Through Problem and independent ventures, his work has supported global brands, cultural campaigns, product launches, and new business development across creative, technology, media, and commerce.
Before founding Problem, Frankie served as Creative Director at Karmaloop, one of the most influential streetwear, media, and e-commerce platforms of its era. He also served as Lead Designer at The Onion, contributing to the visual language and creative execution of one of America's most recognizable satirical media institutions.
His work sits between creative craft and practical execution — bringing a rare mix of creative direction, brand strategy, business development, and cultural fluency to founders, brands, artists, builders, platforms, and communities.
across culture, media & technology
client value influenced
platform collaborations
entertainment & technology
Work Experience
An integrated creative and technology company built around strategy, execution, and ownership. The studio works with brands, platforms, founders, artists, and organizations to develop positioning, creative systems, campaigns, content, partnerships, products, and commercialization strategies. Its work spans client launches, acquisitions, cultural campaigns, and owned ventures connected to over $1B in collective value.
Founder and Creative Director of PUGS, an artist-led character IP, product, and impact project — building original artwork, merchandise, storytelling, collaborations, and community-driven programs that use culture and commerce to support dogs, rescues, shelters, and veterinary care around the world.
Contributor to Nouns, a global onchain cultural movement built around open-source IP, public goods, and community-funded creativity. Supported proposal strategy, agency operations, partnership development, artist programs, philanthropic initiatives, brand collaborations, and real-world activations that help expand the reach and impact of the ecosystem.
Helped support and pass proposals that brought Nouns in front of global stakeholders, institutions, and cultural communities, including the Ethereum ecosystem, EDCON, Tokyo civic partners, artists, builders, and public-goods organizers.
Executed Prop 559, which established a meaningful Nouns presence at the United Nations University, in Tokyo through conference programming, workshops, community events, merchandise, public-goods conversations, and cultural activations.
Creative Director for one of the most influential streetwear, media, and e-commerce platforms of its era — leading brand identity, campaign development, digital creative, editorial direction, commerce experiences, and cultural programming at scale.
Brought in relationships across streetwear, music, entertainment, art, and youth culture to support collaborations, partnerships, original content, and brand moments. Helped shape the creative direction and programming foundation for Karmaloop TV, connecting fashion, music, nightlife, and emerging culture through media-led storytelling.
Lead Designer for one of America's most iconic satirical media institutions — contributing to visual identity, design systems, digital creative, print, and editorial presentation during a pivotal era in media.
Independent and advisory engagements across global brands, technology platforms, cultural organizations, and emerging networks including Nike, Levi's, American Express, Amazon, NounsDAO, OpenSea, Coinbase, and others. Work has included brand strategy, campaign development, creative direction, product positioning, partnerships, content systems, and go-to-market support.
Selected Collaborations
Speaking, Advisory & Cultural Work
Frankie has participated in panels, conversations, advisory engagements, and industry programs across design, technology, gaming, entertainment, AI, and onchain culture. His perspective is shaped by hands-on work with global brands, emerging platforms, independent ventures, and cultural communities across multiple continents.