Kevin Gottlieb has joined New York-based editorial boutique mad.house in the newly created role of producer. He has spent the past four years working as an agency producer at Grey Worldwide, in New York.
While at Grey, Gottlieb produced television and radio campaigns for such clients as New York State Lottery, autobytel. com, Ethan Allen, Panasonic, Dairy Queen and Pringles. Recent credits include spots for New York Lottery, among them: "Talking Donkey," directed by Jim Jenkins of bicoastal/international hungry man; and "Set for Life," featuring stock footage and with graphics by Alex Weil of Charlex, New York. Gottlieb also produced on autobytel. com’s "Morning Delivery," directed by Danny Ducovny of Venice, Calif.-based Cucoloris Films, and Krazy Glue’s "Piñata Man," directed by Mark Raymon Bennett, through now defunct 1/33 Productions. (Bennett is now represented by bicoastal Cohn+Company.)
Prior to joining Grey in December 1996, Gottlieb spent six months as an executive assistant at a New York-based public relations company. In ’96, he graduated with a bachelor of arts from the State University of New York, Oswego, N.Y., as an English writing arts major.
Hard decision
Gottlieb said that leaving the agency side of the business wasn’t an easy decision. "As an agency producer, I enjoyed being involved in nearly every aspect of bringing a spot from storyboard to screen," he explained. "Here, I’ll really be contributing to a particular, yet crucial, part of the process. The opportunity to have an impact on a young, well-established post facility intrigued me." What ultimately convinced Gottlieb to join mad.house—a company he was introduced to through mutual friends—were the people he would be working with. "Everyone here seemed personable, talented, and happy to come to work. This is a very creative, fun, family-like atmosphere."
Mad.house currently has seven Avids, a Smoke/Flame, Audiovision and ProTools, AfterEffects and Commotion. Plans are in place to provide additional finishing platforms and to open another floor in early ’01.
Several months ago, mad. house added editors Christopher Koons and Karama Horne, and Flame artist/Smoke editor Chris Davis (SHOOT, 9/15, p. 13). Other mad.house editors are president Craig Warnick, VP Rob Tortoriello, Ben Whitten, Ross Axiotis and Jason Sedmak. Additionally, Romy Charles recently joined as a junior assistant editor. George Oliphant and Jason McCormick are also junior assistant editors.
According to Gottlieb, his immediate goals include expanding mad.house’s current graphics, finishing and sound design capabilities. "Having been a client at countless production and postproduction facilities, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what the needs and preferences are of current and future agency clients. And even when I don’t, I’m at the very least able to speak their language, so I can ensure that mad.house continues to be a very client-friendly environment," he said.
Warnick explained that as mad.house grew, there was an increasing need for an in-house producer. "Kevin’s charismatic personality and extraordinary people skills permit him to resolve even the most complex issues," enthused Warnick. "His team skills aid in the managing and coordination of our services in implementing the actual jobs, and his agency experience raises the level of our sensitivity in the area of client services and expectations."
Recent commercials edited through mad.house includes campaigns for Burger King, Atlantic Records, Comedy Central, National Track Racing Association, International Home Foods and Kraft’s Jell-O Dessert Delights.
Currently producer Gottlieb is marketing mad.house to potential clients. No decision has been made as to whether the company will seek reps in the future.
