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Hi, I’m Marija.

I’m a Product & Production Lead working across XR, AI and digital products. For over 7 years I've shaped and shipped complex technology products for culture, entertainment, education and luxury clients — from early concept through production, launch and multi-market operation.

I've worked on two different ends of the digital world — agency-side innovation projects for brands like Louis Vuitton and Google at AKQA, and immersive technology production at Univrse, a startup that built XRoam, an LBVR software solution, and a rich library of immersive content. 

I joined Univrse as part of the early core team and experienced the startup growth journey firsthand. I helped scale the team from 7 to 35+ people, not only by delivering projects but also by building the workflows, production roadmaps and delivery structures needed to support rapid growth. Along the way, we shipped products that reached more than 4M people across 15+ countries, working with partners across Europe, the US, Asia, and the Middle East.

My academic background gives me a different lens on product and content strategy. At Sciences Po Paris, I developed a strong foundation in critical thinking, research and problem-solving. My master’s degrees in Media and Communication and Cognitive Science and Interactive Tech deepened my understanding of how people interact with advanced systems such as AI and VR — and how those systems can be designed for engagement, adoption and real-world impact. 

Get in touch if you’re looking for someone to help you build interactive products or immersive experiences — from early idea through production and launch.
Services
Product & Program Leadership
Owning the product lifecycle from discovery to launch — translating user needs and business goals into product vision, roadmap, priorities and delivery. Applying cognitive science principles to improve user engagement and business outcomes.
 
XR & Immersive Production
Leading XR and immersive experiences from strategy through deployment — aligning creative vision, audience engagement and business goals while managing multidisciplinary teams, technical complexity and content workflows.
 
Operational Scaling & Delivery Leadership
Building the systems, processes and team structures needed to deliver complex digital products and immersive experiences at scale — and to replicate that delivery across markets. From production workflows, budget management, and resource planning, to the operational groundwork that makes international rollout viable and scalable.
Work
Leading Location-Based Virtual Reality (LBVR) experiences production and startup growth
Univrse | Project Director & Senior Project Manager
11.2022 - present | Barcelona, Spain 
 
Led the end-to-end delivery of complex digital products (LBVR experiences) while simultaneously building and scaling operational frameworks and building project management department for rapid company expansion. 
 
Project & Program Leadership | Startup Scaling | Budget & Financial Management | Team Leadership | Resource Management | Immersive Technology (XR) | Client & Stakeholder Management | Global Market Expansion.
 
Delivering web & app solutions, brand content & strategy for international clients
AKQA | Project Manager & Jr Project Manager
01.2020 - 11.2021 | Paris, France 
 
Managed the full lifecycle of diverse digital projects, from web and app development to content strategy and production, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery for high-profile global brands (e.g. Louis Vuitton, Google Arts & Culture, Armani, Decathlon).
 
Digital Project Management | Web & App Development | Client & Stakeholder Management | Cross-functional Team Leadership | Budget & Resource Planning | Digital Strategy | Content Production | E-commerce Solutions.
 
Creating brand strategy for prestigious business school
Freelance Product & Strategy Consultant
06.2022 - 01.2023 
 
Brand Strategy | Strategic Consulting | Market Research | Communication Strategy. 
 
Tutoring a group of master students
Sciences Po Paris | Graduate Tutor 
09.2019 - 01.2020 
 
Guided master students in applying design thinking and innovation methodologies to real-world projects, fostering critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
 
Innovation Methodologies | Design Thinking | Mentorship & Coaching. 
Education
MSc, Cognitive Science & Interactive Media
09.2022 - 09.2024 | Barcelona, Spain 
 
A program focusing on cognitive science and application of AI & VR to adaptive learning and advanced systems design.
 
MA, Communication, Media & Creative Industries
09.2017 - 07.2020 | Paris, France 
 
A program focusing on brand development, corporate and digital strategy, content production and storytelling. 
 
BA, Liberal Arts
09.2014 - 06.2017 | Dijon, France
 
A multidisciplinary program covering political systems, economic principles, legal reasoning, and history. 
 
Exchange Program, Communication & Politics
09.2016 - 06.2017 | Montreal, Canada
Outside work 
I find my peace and inspiration in nature, often spending my free time hiking and exploring the outdoors. My most recent adventure was a 200 km trek along the Atlantic Ocean, following the breathtaking "Trilho dos Pescadores." I enjoy wandering and discovering new paths that connect me with both the world around me and myself.
 
I love art, and music has been at the heart of that love since childhood. Growing up with a violin in my hands from the age of four, it has shaped not only my skills but also the way I experience the world. Each philharmonic hall or opera house feels like a sanctuary to me—the safest, most inspiring spaces in the city, where sound and emotion blend into something timeless.
 
I’m deeply drawn to reading about the human mind and the world, always seeking new perspectives that expand my understanding. For me, it’s important to keep learning and nurturing intellectual curiosity, as it fuels growth and keeps life rich with discovery.
 
My curiosity for the world has also guided me to explore it through travel and by living in different places. Over the past 11 years, I have called seven cities across five countries and two continents home (Lithuania, France, Canada, Portugal, Spain). Each new environment has broadened my horizons and offered fresh perspectives on cultures, people, and ways of life. For me, living in new places is not only about discovering the unknown but also about deepening my understanding of the world and my place within it.
 
I’m passionate about photography, finding joy in capturing both the simple moments of everyday life and the breathtaking beauty of landscapes. Each image becomes a way of preserving beauty and turning it into a memory that lasts.
 
I enjoy learning new languages, as each one feels like a door to a new culture and way of seeing the world. I’m fluent in French, Spanish, and English, alongside my mother tongue, Lithuanian. Over the years, I’ve also had a long journey with German and a shorter one with Italian—languages I’m sure will come back to life when the right moment arrives.
Contact Me


Contact me:
mari.smulkstyte@gmail.com
Linkedin