I was born and raised in Los Angeles, with a slight detour to San Francisco for 6 years. After graduating UCLA, I started working for LA ad agencies and in the Bay Area. I eventually left the beach in LA for the snow in Chicago, where I worked at Leo Burnett for 21 years. I had the pleasure of working on every account Leo had. I was loaned out from my group a lot to tackle the hard productions. That’s what I was known for. I left Leo in 2017 to go freelance, and I have been freelancing at agencies in Chicago and across the country.
I make stuff. A lot of stuff. I have 20+ years of experience creating all kinds of content for just about every product category there is. I have produced Broadcast TV, Digital/Online Video, Radio, Activations/Live Events, OOH and Print. I have traveled all over the world to help create this work. I have a diehard passion for content creation and the entire production process. I'm also a team player. I love the collaboration stage and figuring out all the pieces of the project puzzle in order to bring an idea to life, especially in this day and age of evolving analytics, importance of data, emerging technologies (AI, virtual LED sets) and the very important goal of engaging the consumer. For me, it has always been about the craft, the quality of the production, pushing the creative further, and bringing in the right resources to help create the best work, regardless of the budget. And yes, I can turn around a production big or small extremely fast. I also love to mentor the younger producers.
The creative teams that I have had the pleasure to work with have won Cannes Lions, Clios, D&AD, One Show, London Internationals, Addy's and other award show honors. I look forward to contributing to the success of your company and your client's business as Senior or Executive Producer, in a freelance or full-time role.
Lastly, I make a mean Bloody Mary and once placed 4th in a Tom Selleck look-a-like contest hosted by Rick Dees. I also do voiceovers.
Downloadable Resume & References at the bottom of this page.
CLIENTS:
Mondelez, Samsung, Corona Beer, Google, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Nintendo, Allstate, Disney, General Motors (GMC, Buick, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Certified Service), Taco Bell, Coca•Cola, Chicago Blackhawks, Illinois Lottery, Walmart, P&G, KraftHeinz, Corona Refresca & Corona Hard Seltzer, SC Johnson, Fifth Third Bank, Hallmark, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Ram & Jeep), Beck's Beer, Brooks Running, Modelo Beer, Com Ed, Delta Airlines, Reebok, Sealy, Firestone, Heinz, Kraft Foods, Avis, Phillip Morris, Amoco (now BP), Toys R Us, Tru Value, United Tech Corp., Toyota Dealers of Southern California, Portland & Seattle, Ralph's Grocery Company, Body Glove, Cherokee Apparel, Chief Auto Parts, Frame-N-Lens, Glendale Federal Savings, KFWB Radio, Knott's Berry Farm, McDonald's Owner Operators West Coast, Pic-N-Save, Sanwa Bank, Tecate Beer.
EXPERIENCE:
FREELANCE SENIOR PRODUCER
February 2017 - Present
Publicis PXP Studios: Mondelez Brands/Oreo
Golin: Chicago Blackhawks
Wieden + Kennedy: Samsung, Corona Beer Global, Turbo Tax
Arts & Letters: Google Chromebook Global
Highdive: Dodge Ram 1500 & Jeep (Ram spot was in the 2018 Super Bowl)
McGarry Bowen: KraftHeinz
Energy BBDO: SC Johnson
Cavalry: Modelo, Corona Hard Seltzer & Corona Premiere
O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul: Illinois Lottery
FREELANCE SENIOR PRODUCER
Highdive Advertising
December 2017 - February 2018
Worked with the great people at Highdive on their first automotive job. Produced the Ram Truck "Built To Serve" :60 commercial for the 2018 Super Bowl. Helped to open to door for more assignments from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
SENIOR PRODUCER
Leo Burnett USA, Chicago
May 2006 - February 2017
Promoted to Senior Producer. Producers at this time were now to be multidimensional - we could produce more than just broadcast TV, including print, OOH, and all digital platforms. Produced integrated content for Allstate, Beck’s Beer, Brooks Running, Com Ed, Delta Airlines, Disney, Firestone, Fifth Third Bank, General Motors (Buick, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Certified Service, GMC), Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, Nintendo, Samsung, Sealy, Toys R Us, Tru Value Hardware, United Tech Corporation and Walmart.
PRODUCER
Leo Burnett USA, Chicago
March 1996 - May 2006
Left Los Angeles for Chicago for a great opportunity with Leo Burnett. Started out on McDonald's, and then produced content for Nintendo, Hallmark, Kellogg's, Coca•Cola, Reebok, Heinz, P&G, Amoco and Kraft. Created the Production Bid Memo - which became standard in the Leo Burnett Production Department. This memo accompanied the client estimate and explained the bidding process for the client - where we started and where we ended up. It outlined who we bid, and how we worked out the final numbers - which usually detailed significant savings. It was intended to educate and show the client that we work hard to bring them the best value.
SENIOR PRODUCER
Davis, Ball & Colombatto, Los Angeles
February 1995 - February 1996
Returned to DBC as a Senior Producer. Produced TV & Radio commercials for Toyota Dealers of Southern California, Portland, Seattle and McDonald’s Owner Operators West Coast.
PRODUCER
Bozell, Salvati & Montgomery, Costa Mesa
October 1994 - February 1995
I was hired based on a list of producers and creatives that the Taco Bell client furnished to BS&M after they won the account. So I followed Taco Bell down to Los Angeles. Produced TV & Radio commercials.
PRODUCER
Foote, Cone & Belding, San Francisco
March 1994 - October - 1994
Produced TV & Radio commercials for Taco Bell.
SKILLS:
Project Management from pre-production thru post-production. Managing multiple deliverables/platforms.
Budgeting/Bidding/Scheduling/Vendor Management.
Talent Negotiation
Art Direction/Copywriting/Directing.
Editorial/Post Production/VFX/Music/Sound Design/Record & Mix.
Understanding the Client's POV & Brand Protection.
Passion & Push for the Creative's POV and a "Can Do" attitude.
Anticipating major concerns/issues/legalities early and well in advance of production.
Final Cut Pro/iMovie/Photoshop.
EDUCATION:
University of California at Los Angeles
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science
Survivor of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity