Head of Content
Rocky Kanaka | 2019–2022
YouTube Growth | Social Impact Content | Mission-Driven Brand Building
Rocky Kanaka is a TV host (Save Our Shelter on Netflix) and pet treat entrepreneur (The Dog Bakery), and is a leading champion for the dog rescue community. When we first connected, he was looking for a video producer to help elevate his growing YouTube presence, but the role quickly evolved into something bigger.
Over the course of three years, I moved from Senior Video Producer to Creative Director to Head of Content, building a cross-platform strategy and full-stack production team to scale Rocky’s mission: tell great stories, help dogs in need, and grow a passionate community of animal lovers.
My Role
Developed and scaled content strategy across YouTube and Facebook.
Built and led a nimble, high-performing team of editors, writers, and producers
Directed and produced viral video formats, from heartwarming rescues to scripted dog-led adventures
Expanded Facebook as a key growth platform, generating revenue, millions of views, and new engagement
Partnered with brands like Bissell, Furbo, HelloFresh, and Audible to create sponsored content that stayed true to our mission.
Creative Highlights
🐾 Built out multiple new video series for YouTube and Facebook that deepened engagement and platform growth
🎥 Directed and produced hit viral videos/series including:
Buying Everything a Dog Touches – 12M+ views
Tiny Food for Tiny Rescue Dogs – 14M+ views
Surprising Dogs with 100 (dog friendly) rocket pops – 21M+ views
Dog Park Rebuilds – 2.6M+ and 1M+ views
Scripted Series Debut – First two episodes 8.4M+ & 16M+ views
🏠 Helped design, build, and document and build dog shelter makeovers, like this one, complete with a pool, pirate ship, and wave murals. How fun!
💡 Maintained a content voice that was heartwarming, humorous, and advocacy-driven
Impact
🐶 Helped drive thousands of dog adoptions and fosters through emotional storytelling and shareable content
📈 Grew Rocky’s combined audience to over 5 million followers and subscribers across platforms
🔁 Developed a content system that enabled consistent output while allowing creative experimentation
💬 Built a loyal community of engaged dog lovers who didn’t just watch, they volunteered, adopted, donated, and shared
🤝 Produced branded content that delivered real value without compromising trust or mission
To this day, Rocky continues to grow his audience and advocate for animals, and now, he’s even launched Flip Coffee, from his small San Diego coffee farm named after his late soul dog, Flip.
Working with Rocky, meeting the dogs, and building content that made a genuine difference remains one of the highlights of my career.