Brian Watson

Product Manager

2025

Head of Product

2024 - 2025

• Led the product vision and strategy for Future Primitive, a Web3 startup backed by industry leaders including a16z Crypto and Kindred Ventures. • Launched PERMA—a social photo app that uses blockchain attestation to verify authentic human moments. • Managed the product and design team.

Advisor & Angel Investor

2022 - 2024

• Provide strategic product and marketing guidance to early-stage startups, helping them refine product vision, storytelling, and fundraising strategies that resulted in over $15.5M raised in VC funding. • Advise on zero-to-one product development by optimizing roadmaps, designing effective viral loops, and architecting go-to-market strategies that harness cultural trends and drive user engagement. • Leverage diverse industry expertise to craft tailored product marketing strategies that accelerate growth and unlock capital.

Investor

2021 - 2022

• Led early-stage investments in consumer startups, co-investing with top-tier firms such as Kindred Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and 776 Ventures.

Co-Founder

2020 - 2022

• Founded a collective of Bay Area Black artists and creative professionals, spearheading a nationwide campaign instrumental in establishing Juneteenth as a recognized Federal holiday. • Partnered with cultural institutions like the Oakland Museum of California to organize landmark events, driving community impact and supporting Black-owned businesses.

Product Manager, iMessage & Memoji

2019 - 2020

• Led the release of major product features for iMessage and Memoji in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS Big Sur

Product Manager, Camera & Photos

2017 - 2019

• Led the release of major product features for the Camera and Photos apps in iOS 12 and iOS 13

Senior Product Manager

2014 - 2017

• Owned the Community product roadmap and led multiple product groups at VSCO—a disruptive digital photography startup known for sparking the "VSCO Girl" trend. • Managed the end-to-end development of key features such as Favorites, Related Images, Messages, and numerous photo editing presets that significantly boosted weekly engagement, enhanced content discovery, and fueled community growth. • Leveraged quantitative and qualitative research insights to drive cross-functional innovation—including overseeing the company’s rebrand and launching the VSCO Originals content initiative.

Analyst

2012 - 2014

• Sourced early-stage companies and provided critical market insights that contributed to 20+ new investments. • Participated in board meetings and supported portfolio companies, advising on product innovation and emerging tech trends.