LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHILE YOU'RE PLANNING IT

About Me

I have more than 30 years of experience in documentary film, television, and Fortune 500 storytelling. I was also a brand manager for Procter and Gamble where I directed marketing and advertising for quarter-billion dollar brands. I currently split my time between Mills James and Yearling Pictures.

My niche:  I bring a unique mix of strategic marketing and documentary filmmaking experience to your projects, to help you tell authentic stories with impact (the "breakthrough" part). Together we'll be cost efficient along the way, because I want to bring high-end production within reach of anyone with a great story to tell.

The Road Here

1984

Whitewater rafting with my high school buddies in the summer of '84.
Columbus, Ohio
As the test market capital of America, we experienced the future before the rest of the country, which greatly shaped my character. 🤨
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1984 - 1988

With my Miami University friends
A few of my college pals at a recent get-together to honor friends who died way too early. RIP Erin Ennis and Will Perrin.
Miami University, Ohio
Great school, wonderful lifelong friends. A major in Finance, which I've never used since.

The aging guy on the far right above - my buddy Scott Hess, a total slacker in school - ending up being a Miami Commencement speaker recently, which he'll never let me forget. "I always thought you were more of the commencement speaker type, Mike. Guess not."

1988-1993

Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati
After graduating, I spent five years at Procter & Gamble in brand management, where I eventually ran the Vidal Sassoon and Noxzema businesses. There I developed the strategic vision for these brands, directing all television, print and radio advertising.

P&G is a great company, and what an incredible street MBA in branding, advertising, marketing, financial management, people management, you name it.

But the corporate life wasn't really for me...

1993-2002

Golden Gate Bridge sunsetby Evgeny Tchebotarev
San Francisco

... so I moved to California to try another start at life. This time following a passion, sensible career path be damned.

Working under masters of the craft, I learned how to write, direct, shoot, and edit. Once I was ready, I produced work for The Discovery Channel, Visa, AOL, Pacific Bell, and Guthy | Renker, among others.

But my favorite experience of all sealed the deal: co-writing and editing Alcatraz Is Not An Island about a group of urban Native American students who took over the island of Alcatraz in the summer of '69. The documentary made it to Sundance and went on to air nationally on PBS. This epic story will someday be an incredible feature film, mark my words.

In 2002, a bit wiser but also missing home, I returned to Ohio to raise a family.

2002-Present

Heidi Klum and me on set
I was Heidi Klum's writer on a shoot for her new skincare line. She couldn't stop gazing into my dreamy, um, teleprompter.
My buddy Jack and I made hype videos for the Buckeyes during the Tressel era. I took this photos seconds before the Buckeyes took the field at Michigan one year.
I love telling Columbus City Schools stories, including this Telly-winning Sankofa broadcast TV special during the pandemic.
Granville, Ohio
After 'commuting' to California for a few years while living in Granville, I joined Mills James and reserved Yearling Pictures for telling stories of underrepresented communities, public education, and other fun stuff like the Buckeyes. I now split my time between Mills James and my own work.

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