Here is a still from one of the many pieces I’ve done for Florida Marlins broadcasts and promotions.
This segment title was created using a combination of live action, 3d, and other graphic elements.
August 8, 2008
August 6, 2008
Jacksonville Jaguars
Here’s a still from a series of promotions that I produced in conjunction with the Jacksonville Jaguars. We did both production during games and interviews of the athletes in locations around jacksonville.
We did a series of interstitals, contests,image campaigns, and POP’s.
XFL
Here’s a still from one of the many campaigns I produced for the XFL. This was very fun to do. We obtained access to the stadium where the team was playing, setup a TV a lounge chairs in the middle of the field and had cheerleaders dancing around the “fans” in the spots. It’s such an erie feeling being in a stadium when it’s empty, we’re so used to the stadium filled with fans and loud that there is a very ominous feeling when it’s empty. We had a great crew on these shoots and the cheerleaders were great to work with.
Motown Cafe
Here’s a still from a promotional campaign done in conjunction with Motown Cafe. The spots were a series of interviews and b-roll of the events from a ground breaking event and launch. The spots then cut down to multiple interstials that were aired.
August 4, 2008
Stories, Rides, Action
Here’s a shot from the open of the program, “Stories,Rides,Action” that I worked on. The show featured steven spielberg, jeffrey katzenberg, Stephen Sommers, Nancy O’Dell, and more.
August 3, 2008
“Lead, Follow, or Get Out of The Way,” Lee Iacocca
That is a quote from Lee Iacocca and it stands just as true today as it did when he first said it. This quote applies to most every industry and profession, but, in the media industry we have to always keep this top of mind.
Attention spans are getting shorter, people are able to watch what they want when they want, and the average consumer is inundated with marketing messages from everywhere nowadays. If our content does not lead the industry, it gets lost in the growing amount of clutter out there. If we don’t follow or emulate the people that are successfully attracting viewers to their entertainment product, again, our content gets lost in the clutter. And, of course, if we aren’t leading or following, then, we should truly get out of the way or be move out of the way by by someone else.
I read somewhere recently(sorry I don’t remember the source) that Apple, Inc. creates an atmosphere where ideas and leadership are challenged constantly. If a manager is not successfully doing their job, the team is encouraged to voice their concerns. If the manager continues to falter, then someone will quickly replace them. If this is true, I would contend that that is one of the reasons why Apple has consistently reinvented itself for the past few years and become one of the most respected businesses in the United States.
Far too often companies and people become complacent with where they are, it’s very easy to succumb to that. Many don’t like change and if something is working, why try to improve upon it? I would contend that as leaders in the media industry we must always challenge ourselves and our teams to go beyond status quo. Average work should never be considered an option in our industry.
Competition in this industry is fierce and there are always people right behind you ready to take the reigns, everyone is replaceable. No matter how high on the ladder you are, there will always be someone with new ideas and just as competent ready to lead. Eisner was replaceable and Jobs will be replaceable someday too, no matter how much people want to try and embellish the story otherwise. Will these new leaders be just as good? That is obviously impossible tell, but, if they keep up with innovation and challenging their business, I believe they will find success.
I don’t want it to sound like i’m saying our desire to innovate should be driven by the fear of those looking to replace us, rather, it should be driven by our desire to lead the industry, captivate audiences, challenge ourselves and challenge our teams. How boring would any form of mass media be today if there weren’t those people before us that pushed themselves and their teams to deliver something different and extraordinary.
Reflect upon what your team is doing, come up with a road map where you want to go, and execute on it. Challenge members of your team to deliver above and beyond, have them work with each other to create something the team has never seen before from them. Inspire and create an environment where over-delivering is encouraged and rewarded. Share with your team the results of their work, the successes and the failures. Examine why something failed and tweak a similar project the next time out.
If we cant lead or follow, then we should get out of the way. No one is safe in the ever changing landscape of this industry.
Even Disney and Apple at one point were both on the verge of breakups, buyouts and takeovers, it doesn’t matter how big they were, their relevance had diminished greatly due to lack of innovation and the ability to capture audiences. We always have to keep that in mind.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way!
August 2, 2008
Madden NFL 09 – The Catch
It’s in the game… really!
The Tyree catch has been put into Madden NFL 09, it looks really cool if you can make it happen.
Blind Date
This was part of a very successful cross-promotional campaign between our network, the syndicated program Blind Date and the Orlando Magic. I oversaw the production, direction, writing and execution of all the promotions for this campaign. Working between marketing partners at Universal Syndication and The Orlando Magic we came together to create spots that help sell all the properties involved.
Not only did this campaign have on-air elements, we also created half time content to execute at some Orlando Magic games.
This was a fun campaign to work on, even with all the red tape that had to be cut to execute it properly. But, all partners involved were excited about the concept and we worked together as a team to get it done.
July 31, 2008
Pictionary
A few years back the game-show Pictionary was in syndication across the country with Alan Thicke as the host. I had the opportunity to produce a series of promotions for the show and help with its launch.
This still is from a production of one of the promotions. We were doing behind the scenes footage during one of the tapings of the show itself. After the shows were completed, we had time with each of the talent to get one liners, live reads, and wild shots.
July 28, 2008
2004 Boston Red Sox: Keep The Faith
In 2004 the curse of the bambino was still alive and kicking. It was late July and making it into the post season wasn’t locked in for the Red Sox. Then it happened, a fire was ignited that rocked the core of the team. Many people say the altercation between Rodrigez and Veritek was the turning point for the team that year. All cylindars were firing and the team started to tear it up in the American league.
This new found energy from the team started to electrify New England. It was amazing the feeling walking around Boston and seeing the hopes that this just might be the year where 80 years of misery might be brought to an end.
This excitement bled through from the most casual fan to the top brass within the Red Sox orginization.
I was lucky enough to be a part of this excitment and producing numerous commerials and promotions for NESN and the Red Sox.
This is a still from one of those campaigns that I created using a tag line the front office used when they were in San Diego. However, it resonated much further and had a much stronger meaning in 2004 with this Red Sox team.
The fans bought into the concept, breaking network ratings records, making their signs and creating buzz on the Internet. The players bought into it too, Big Papi was quoted as saying in the ALCS that he never gave up after loooking up and seeing a Keep The Fairh billboard with his image on it, it reminded him what a world series win would mean to the fans.
It was an amazing experience.
