EJ Philby Burton

EJ Philby Burton is a state media executive, creative economy architect, and arts administration strategist with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), specializing in film and media production logistics, multi-tiered grant deployment, and the institutional infrastructure required to scale regional creative enterprises.

EJ operates at the high-stakes intersection of public policy, regional economic development, and creative industry growth. As the Program Manager for Produce Iowa — the official state office of media production — she spearheads the statewide initiative to promote, develop, and retain media production assets across Iowa’s 99 counties. Tasked with elevating the economic footprint of the creative sector, EJ serves as the primary liaison for incoming commercial productions, independent filmmakers, and multi-media operations seeking to leverage Iowa’s robust geographical landscapes, workforce talent, and institutional resource networks.

A veteran advocate for regional creative capital, EJ commands the execution of the state’s most impactful creative support mechanisms, including the Artist Professional Development Grant program. Her career is defined by an intimate understanding of public-private partnerships, industry-specific workforce development, and the thorough financial and regulatory navigation required to fund independent artistic ventures. By fusing the systematic discipline of a state economic development official with a deep, frontline commitment to grassroots creative communities, EJ equips content creators, industry organizers, and cultural entrepreneurs with the blueprints needed to secure state resources, build viable business models, and thrive in a rapidly modernizing media ecosystem.

Transform standard creative pursuits into high-value economic drivers by embedding EJ’s master-level frameworks for ecosystem mapping, industry networking, and institutional brand visibility.