Pull me aside for a brief moment, ask about my story and I’ll confess… I’m at times complicated. By day, I’m meticulous storyteller that will selfishly push creative boundaries to the extreme until a brand is sharp, shiny and wreaking of value. By 4PM, I’m in need of a caffeine jolt but yet I’m not a coffee drinker. 24/7, I’m a loving husband, proud father of three glorious children and believer of simple things.
A CAREER IN TV AND MEDIA
In high school, it was merely a pipe dream. In professional life, I got what I wished for… a career in TV and media. Producing work that has aired on a national level on networks like CNN, MSNBC and MTV as well as on local broadcast stations such as Peachtree TV (Atlanta) and WDSU-TV (New Orleans) has been one hell of a ride. Frankly, the wheels are just heating up. The tremendous opportunity to have delivered brand executions across diverse platforms such as multimedia presentations for CNN’s affiliate relations team, SMS promotions, digital content for the Turner Entertainment Network and producing live shows such as CNN’s World Report has been career changing. Frankly, it’s still evolving.
THE PEOPLE
Let’s face it, it all starts and ends with people. Without that element, a well devised plan will fail. I’m grateful for the human element. Thankful to those teachers, mentors and alliances who have openly shared their wisdom and paved many opportunities along the way. Osmosis isn’t just a chemistry term. Jonathan, Heather, Ed, Jack and especially Susan, I thank you.
THE KATRINA MOMENT
Katrina was a life changer. My family had just moved to the city that summer when it all happened. It no longer was just work. It was personal, very personal. The following year in 2006 and amidst the wake of a devastating hurricane, we (WDSU-TV/MSNBC) delivered The Debate For New Orleans’ Mayor. More than just an hour of spirited debate, it truly was a one of a kind, emotional roundtable that the country witnessed.
Co-hosted by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, the nationally broadcasted event cemented my belief that behind every successful campaign lies an even greater and more heartfelt story. For my family, New Orleaneans and others like us, there was no separating personal and professional.
BRANDING AND DESIGN
On the “surface level,” I like colors, lots and lots of colors. Brand believability via motion and lots of colors is often so under appreciated. Over the years, I’ve had the unique opportunity to spearhead several design initiatives that continues to this very day to be the shine, color and lasting visual impression behind some very well known media brands. Some highlights include the 2002 launch and distribution of CNN’s digital feeds and its assets to the network’s vast affiliate body. The following year, I was the creative liaison between CNN Newsource and the trendsetting Belief Agency (Los Angeles) in the creation of a robust graphics package customized specifically for Entertainment Weekly affiliates. Needless to say, both campaigns yielded some pretty incredible results and brand defining moments.
ATLANTA AND BEYOND
In 2007, a second tour of duty with Turner Broadcasting had my family back in Atlanta where I was part of the original creative services team that branded and launched Peachtree TV (formerly WTBS Superstation). Owned by Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., PTV became one of the fastest and most recognizable TV brands in the Atlanta market. In a matter of two years, we made our impact. At the end, we walked away with career changing memories.
Today, I’ve embarked upon an incredible and very exciting chapter having recently joined Tribune Broadcasting. As the Creative Director, Innovation and Imagination, I manage all day to day on air creative, social media and digital strategies for a New Orleans duopoly (WGNO-TV and NOLA 38). Nothing I welcome more than the challenge of being the underdog. Nothing I embrace more than people, management and ideas that are willing to take risks and what is clearly a risky environment.
From :30 promotions teasing original programming, movies, sports promotions to long format sales presentations touting brands like CNN, Sprite and Peachtree TV, providing value in strategically crafted communications through storytelling, social media and video is where it all lies for me. At the core though, I’m a sucker for a good story. Yes high budget on locations CNN shoots in major markets such as Denver, Miami, Portland, Los Angeles and Atlanta have been a blessing. But my personal highlight to date is the story we told right after Katrina. The apex after such a life changing event? A music video that took my creative team throughout the heart of Southeast Louisiana documenting the recovery efforts of a resilient New Orleans community post Katrina. There really aren’t too many times in someone’s professional career that you can take something so personally. It will always be a part of me. New Orleans will always be a part of my story.
So you asked. That’s My Story. What’s yours?
