About dkolko

Hello Team Condé Nast. I'm an Executive Producer and Creative Director that's been leading creative teams around the world for 20 years. I was initially in advertising and then shifted to making documentaries for TV (one-man-band style shoots)...and that foundation in 'finding the story' has played a part in all the content I've been making ever since. Over the years I’ve worked on live branded events, reality TV, live studio TV, and launched/ran a network of original content for mobile. These days I love merging my advertising background with my storytelling experience: crafting branded content and experiences. Though normally based in New York, after a 2-year stint in South Africa, I’ve been working in Asia for several years: initially in Singapore (Dentsu Aegis brought me out to lead their video/TV efforts in APAC - partnering with big brands to make video content) and currently in Vietnam. I’m starting to have conversations to see what's the best next move for me, be it in this part of the world, back home in the USA, or wherever on the globe it makes sense to put down roots and lead a team in creating impactful content, whilst enjoying the ride. For a tantalizing role such as this, I’d gladly return to LA. I’d be happy to have a chat about this or other suitable opportunities. Thanks, and I look forward to speaking soon.
  • Industry AdvertisingBranded EntertainmentDigitalEventsMarketingMediaTelevisionJournalism
  • Sector Branded ContentBranded EntertainmentCreative ServicesDevelopmentOriginal Content
  • Preferred Job Title CCO (Chief Content Officer)Director Of MediaExecutive Creative DirectorHead of VideoSenior Vice PresidentVice President
  • Companies MTV, MTV Africa, Sprint Mobile Original Content, McCann, Dentsu Singapore, Fuse Media, FX Networks, Freelance For Too Many To Name But Here Are A Few: Oprah Winfrey Network, HBO, CBS, NBC, A&E, Endemol Shine, DMG Beijing, Etc.

Summary

Creative Producer with Wharton and advertising background. Leading teams in crafting branded content and experiences, mobile-1st video, unscripted TV, reality TV, and studio productions. (Globally)

•20 years leading creative teams internationally.
•Recruited to launch and run mobile network of original video content.
•Showrunner for 700 hours of live TV.
•6 years at top advertising agencies.
•A-list celebrity and recording artist content including hundreds of interviews with all the top names in Hollywood and the music world.
•Produce and direct reality/docu programs in USA and internationally.

DEMO REELS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAC42B9082D8C1E42

Experience

  • 2012
    Burning Tree TV (USA, China, Singapore, Malaysia, UK)

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    Freelance: Unscripted and soft-scripted television, mobile 1st video content, studio TV, branded content and experiences, field shoots, live TV, pop culture and music TV productions around the world. •Johnny Depp in China video special (DMG Beijing). 1 hour digital video studio show with documentary field pieces. Asia’s •Next Top Model (FOX International Channels) •Oprah’s Favorite Things live TV event (Oprah Winfrey Network)

  • 2020
    POPS Worldwide, Vietnam

    CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER

    Hired to plan, implement, and manage all content-related activities of the leading digital entertainment company in Southeast Asia. Role cut short due to company-wide Covid layoffs.

  • 2017
    Dentsu Aegis Network, Singapore

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, APAC

    Recruited to relocate to Singapore to oversee the creation and execution of episodic digital video and TV series in partnership with DAN’s portfolio of brands including Mastercard, Reebok, Standard Chartered, and Oreo. Working alongside Carat’s Head of Content and The Story Lab’s President, identified opportunities for creative partnerships and developed short and long form series; Leveraging cultural insight to ensure that content across the ecosystem is impactful and resonates with the intended audience.

  • 2010
    MTV Africa, Funk Productions, Clive Morris Productions (South Africa)

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    • Responsible for the conception and implementation of all creative content for high profile live events and television broadcasts. Liaised with clients to develop innovative and high impact entertainment (utilizing original TV content, A-list music performances, choreography) to achieve desired marketing and branding objectives. TopTV launch event featured former United States Vice President Al Gore as keynote speaker. • Oversaw the content, story, and creative direction for cinematically shot, high-profile unscripted TV drama series (in the style of The Hills and Laguna Beach) airing in USA and internationally. Series features an American cast and was shot on-location in South Africa. • Recruited to oversee all content and staff for music talent search reality series to be shot in 16 countries across Africa. Semifinals and grand finale to be shot live-to-tape in front of a large studio audience.

  • 2007
    Sprint Mobile (Intersport), Chicago

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ORIGINAL VIDEO CONTENT FOR MOBILE

    Recruited to launch and oversee all content, production, and staff for Sprint Mobile’s video channel of original content. Created, developed, and launched 6 original series. Content included: • Interviews with A-list artists (Adele, Miley Cyrus, John Travolta, etc.) in our studio and on-location. • Multiple hosted news pieces (daily). • Multi-camera performances (50 Cent Live at The Hard Rock) AWARD: Winner of the NATPE Mobile Award for excellence.

  • 2007
    MTV, NBC, HBO, A&E (New York)

    LIVE TV PRODUCER, SUPERVISING PRODUCER, FIELD DIRECTOR

    •MTV Band in a Bubble. Blend of reality episodes, live TV, and music performance: Produced and wrote on-location live premiere and concert finale (with audience of 5,000 fans). Simultaneously oversaw post production teams working 24/7 for rapid turnaround of reality episodes. •NBC Busted Inc. Pilot for reality series profiling an all-female agency of private investigators. •HBO Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy. Oversaw all docu-style behind-the-scenes content with P. Diddy. •MTV The Paper. Docu-reality series profiling the newspaper’s senior editorial staff at America’s largest high school. Extended on-location shooting and interviewing in the field. •MTV Me & Mr. Jones. Pilot for documentary/reality series following the lives of celebrity couple Nas and Kelis at home, on tour, on the set of music videos, and in the recording studio. •MTV I’m From Rolling Stone. Series detailing the lives of aspiring journalists interning as music reporters for Rolling Stone magazine. Constant field shooting at locations throughout the country and internationally. •A&E The King of Cars. Oversaw behind the scenes footage for web content.

  • 2002
    Fuse Media, New York

    SHOWRUNNER OF LIVE CELEBRITY TALK SHOW

    Produced 700 hours of live television. Oversaw all creative content and execution for multiple series, including the network’s flagship program Daily Download (live daily one-hour hosted studio program featuring A-list celebrity interviews and performances), 7th Avenue Drop and Comp’d (concert series), Daily Download Reloaded (weekly highlights show), plus numerous stunts and specials. • Produced and directed multi-crew field shoots (on-set visits to music video shoots, covering concerts, red carpet events, festivals, press junkets, etc.), including interviewing celebrity talent. • Oversaw third-party productions (including NBC for Access Hollywood/Fuse partnership coverage of Grammys) to ensure that content delivered satisfied channel’s creative standards and specs. • Developed Daily Download, IMX and Daily Download Reloaded from inception to launch, including auditioning channel hosts. • Collaborated with Marketing Department to develop innovative on-air marketing opportunities that satisfied the channel’s Ad Sales obligations as well as creative standards for shows. • Served as primary inter-departmental liaison to Press, Interactive, Programming, Production Management, Multi- platform and Studio Operations.

  • 1999
    MTV Networks, New York

    NEWS PRODUCER

    Produced news packages for live daily music information/entertainment program airing on VH1 News in USA and UK, and for CBS’s VH1 Music News segment on 200 affiliate stations. • Conducted frequent detailed interviews (in studio and in the field) with celebrity recording artists. Regular field shoots included covering red carpet events, concerts, music video shoots, award shows. • Directed all talent and crew during on-location shoots, stand-ups, and in the studio.

  • 1997
    A&E Television / CBS Eye On People / FOX Family / History / Court TV (New York)

    DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER, VIDEO JOURNALIST

    \"One man band\" style of documentary field shoots (responsible for filming, audio, hosting, and producing). Produced hour-long A&E doc detailing the work of police crime scene investigators. Other projects included: ER doctors, polygamists, maximum-security prison guards, emergency helicopter rescue, mortician school, and marine mammal rescue.

  • 1995
    FOX Television, FX Networks (New York)

    SEGMENT PRODUCER, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER STUDIO TV SHOWS

    Produced complete blocks of magazine-style entertainment programs, The Pet Department, FX-MD (Nominated for Cable Ace Award) and Garden Variety. Co-wrote two pilots - both were subsequently picked up by the network. AWARD: Daytime Emmy for The Pet Department

  • 1990
    McCann Advertising, New York

    SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

    Liaison between top advertising agency and clients (AT&T, Johnson & Johnson). Oversaw ad production and creative development for national (Ace Award winning) TV and print campaigns. Created and presented ad strategies. Reviewed advertising at all stages of development to ensure communication of desired image, message, and attitude. Maintained $15 million production and media budgets. Developed, and ensured adherence to, production timetables. Trained and supervised Assistant Account Executives. AWARD: Winner of Truth Well Told Award for outstanding achievement.

Education

  • The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

    Bachelor of Science, Economics.

    Concentration in advertising and marketing, with an emphasis on writing. Independent study: Biological behavior research on the lemon shark off the island of Bimini, Bahamas. Captured, tagged, and measured 3–14 foot sharks. Recorded and evaluated behavioral data before returning sharks to their natural habitat.

 
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