Meet our Team

Ben Behrooz
Founder & CEO

Ben Behrooz is the Founder & CEO of Branding Los Angeles. He brings a dynamic, hard-working, strategic, and tenacious mind to his work, and he loves every second of it. 

Simply put, Ben plans, creates, and optimizes local and national marketing campaigns, ranging from a citywide public-safety campaign to helping ambitious sole proprietors grow thriving businesses with multiple locations in and around Los Angeles. Over 15 years, he’s built Branding Los Angeles into a powerful, multicultural marketing agency providing award-winning services in:

• Strategic Branding
• Marketing and Communications
• Public Affairs Strategies

On a more spiritual level, Ben thinks of his work as “helping our clients find their voices.” He defines and builds their brands, cultivating and fine-tuning their messaging to create consistent and galvanizing brand personalities that resonate across as many channels as necessary to achieve his clients’ goals.

He’s also created his own holiday tradition. Every winter, he rallies Branding Los Angeles’s sphere of influence to “toy-raise” for the area children who need it the most. He is proud to live the American dream and humbled to be able to give smiles to children and families in need. He also uses this influence in other crucial areas, including the fair treatment of animals and human-rights issues. 

As a result of his commitment to building sustainable and trusting relationships with everyone he works with, he’s able to create needed change, whether through an end-to-end campaign or sometimes just a quick phone call. The City of Los Angeles has recognized Ben for his support of local charities and consistent support of his community.

After graduating from UCLA, Ben began his entrepreneurial journey as a media innovator, supporting top companies such as Sony Music and Yahoo as they developed new pathways through an ever-changing ecosystem. His time at UCLA helped cystalize his passion for improving the quality of life in his community – as a mentor for others, a creator of new opportunities, and a champion of creativity, innovation, hard work, and excellence. As a Social Media Director with Truthdig, he discovered the power of dedicated activism and the joy of giving a voice to those with something to say. 

That dedication, celebration, and appreciation infuse all his work, driving him to help his clients turn their dreams into tangible realities.

Joella Hopkins
President

With extensive experience in non-profit, association, and marketing realms, Joella brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. With over 24 years of marketing and event expertise, she seamlessly navigates from details to strategic delivery. Joella’s passions lie in Branding, DEI in Marketing, and Culture Making. Before co-owning and leading the Branding team, she served as the Director of Brand Partnerships for The 360 Agency, contributing to multicultural marketing and campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. Notably, Joella held a key role in City Hall, serving over four years as the DTLA Director & Strategic Media for L.A. City Council District 14. Her responsibilities spanned Homelessness, Policy, Planning, Public Works, Transportation, Community Engagement, and Programming. Additionally, she spearheaded the Office’s Strategic Planning & Media activities, covering overall communications, social media, and printed collateral. Joella earned her stripes enjoying a successful 15-year run before merging with Branding Los Angeles and the Branding Team. Some of her notable clients included the Central City Association, Hospital Association of Southern California, LAEDC, Univision 34, Western Turbine Users, Inc., Beverly Hills Chamber and more.

Wayne S.
Paid Media & Accounts Manager

As a Digital Marketing Associate, Wayne uses a brands’ analytics to craft compelling stories and customize content via social media and blogs. He utilizes email marketing campaigns to boost engagement that resonates within specified niches. He enjoys planning and executing paid campaigns and building funnels for potential customers at their different stages of purchasing journeys. He is creative, works amazing with teams, and gets inspired by the people he works with. He is originally from Taiwan and has an engineering degree, but decided to follow his passion and the fascinating world of marketing. In his free time, he likes to try different workout classes, rowing, boxing, CrossFit, and circuit training. His current obsession is hot pilates classes.

Ines R.
Marketing Manager & Social Media

Ines is a seasoned marketing professional with over 4 years of expertise in digital and social media marketing. Born in Barcelona, Spain, she brings a global perspective to her work.  Her strategic approach, combined with a passion for creativity, has been instrumental in crafting successful marketing campaigns. Ines is dedicated to making impactful connections and elevating brands through her innovative marketing solutions.

Joyce N.
Photographer & Graphic Design

Joyce operates as a photographer and graphic designer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Art and Animation with a focus on Entertainment Design from the University of Silicon Valley in the Bay Area. Her academic and professional journey has been a blend of artistic exploration and technical proficiency.
With over 15 years of experience in graphic design and proficiency in the Adobe Suite, she has developed a diverse portfolio. Her work spans e-commerce, social media content, and branding for various domains including festivals, products, musicians, and media outlets. This versatility speaks to her ability to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments.

Kris Allen R.
Media & Digital Director

Kris Allen is a visual artist and video production professional based in Los Angeles, California with experience in the commercial and entertainment spaces since 2017. With a roster of clientele including Hyundai, Jimmy Choo, Truff Sauce, and more – Kris has proven to effectively use his love for video and talent in Digital Marketing to offer comprehensive media solutions that not only look amazing, but help provide value for clients in all industries.

Caley R. 
Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Design

Caley earned her Bachelor’s in Studio Art and minored in Graphic Design. She has a unique and trained eye for visual components of brands. With extensive experience in the service industry, over 10 years, she has been able to perfect her communication skills which are paramount in understanding the overall design and business goals of Branding Los Angeles’ clients and executing them.

Sydney S.
Marketing Coordinator

Sydney is responsible for a variety of tasks at Branding Los Angeles. This includes, but is not limited to: Content Creation, Social Media Management, Client Facilitation, Email Marketing, and more! Through these tasks, she has become proficient in WordPress, Oneup, Evaboot, Sales Navigator, GMASS, and more, and is ready to take on any challenge that comes her way. With a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Sydney has a passion for storytelling and is helping to tell the stories of our brands and clients at BLA. Outside of work, she loves to explore, get outside, and find all of the hidden gems in Los Angeles. 

Hela W.
Marketing Coordinator & Business Development

Hela is a dynamic professional with a passion for weaving together the worlds of marketing and graphic design. Hela values the power of visual storytelling and strategic thinking and incorporates it into every project. While growing up in France, she became fond of art and advertising at a young age. She is always seeking to grow and learn and is excited to be a valued member of the Branding Los Angeles Team.

Tishawn F.
Creative Manager, Videography

Tishawn F., a native New Yorker, is a passionate creator who thrives in the realm of visual storytelling. With 7 years of experience as a camera operator and post-production editor, Tishawn has contributed to a wide array of projects, spanning from documentaries to short films. His expertise extends beyond operating diverse camera systems, encompassing a keen understanding of framing, lighting, and composition. Tishawn possesses a discerning eye for media, recognizing the crucial role that attention to detail plays in the success of content delivery.

Ezequiel B.
Videographer & Post Production

Ezequiel Barrera, a born-and-raised Angeleno, thrives in the creative atmosphere of Los Angeles. His passion for capturing moments of artistic expression led him to delve into videography and photography seven years ago. Through his work, he has effectively conveyed the stories of numerous businesses and brands, honing his craft with insights gained from some of the industry’s finest creators. It’s all about the thrill of storytelling for Eze…

Samantha M.
Graphic Designer

Samantha conceptualizes branding, translates identity systems into style guides, and implements corporate voice consistently across marketing collateral. She brings visual representations of brands to life. She brings to Branding Los Angeles almost a decade of print and digital experience. She loves challenging herself and loves working within fluid and strict guardrails especially with developing different types of advertising campaigns and methods. She is passionate about elevating our brand’s visual presence across platforms in sparking more conversations and opening up new and innovative opportunities for your business.

Justin A.
Graphic Designer

Justin has a unique and talented eye for the creative. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Art from California State University, Northridge. He is very passionate about design and specializes in branding projects. He has designed logos for brands and clients that evoke their desired messages in every industry and niche market. Justin is one of Branding Los Angeles’ creative assets. 

Jaylene G.
Content & Copy Editor

Jaylene is one of Branding Los Angeles’ Content Writer & Copy Editors. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism. She has years of experience in marketing and content writing, working with small businesses in many different industries. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.