Continuing to grow its leadership team, 11 Dollar Bill has appointed René Steinkellner as Executive Producer at its Chicago studio. Steinkellner, who served as Executive Producer at FCB, Lord+Thomas, Chicago, for 12 years, will lead post-production, business development and client relations.
Steinkellner knows 11 Dollar Bill well, having worked with the studio on several recent projects as a freelance producer. She brings deep experience in post-production on both the agency and facility side. “We’re ecstatic to have René join us full time,” says Managing Director Del Feltz. “She is an amazingly talented producer who can handle projects of every size and scope with integrity and ease. She’ll help to us to move forward and do what we do even better.”
At FCB, Chicago, Steinkellner led Lord+Thomas Post, the agency’s in-house production/post unit. Originally a small, audio/visual department, she built Lord+Thomas into a complete post-production unit with editorial, sound, color correction and finishing capabilities and a staff of 40, including six in-house producers. The group produced broadcast, non-broadcast and digital media for Kmart, Michelob and other mainstay agency accounts.
Steinkellner’s strong ties to the Chicago-area advertising community are a huge asset as 11 Dollar Bill is enjoying a post-pandemic surge in new business. “René brings expertise and a stellar reputation,” observes Executive Producer/ Director of Strategic Partnerships Cannon Kinnard. “Her leadership skills are crucial to our ability to continue generating top-tier content for our diverse client base.”
A Chicago native, Steinkellner began her career with the boutique editing company NuWorld. Her background also includes seven years as Executive Producer/General Manager at Outsider Post Production. “If you asked someone to describe me in one word, it would be ‘intense,’” Steinkellner says. “I’m intense and I’m passionate. When I believe in something, I give it 150 percent. If you’re on my team, you’re part of my family.”
Steinkellner’s goals are to produce great work, help 11 Dollar Bill grow and nurture its team. “My focus throughout my career has been on people,” she explains. I want to see interns become senior editors. I want every employee to develop his or her talents and develop into the best creative they can be.”
With 11 Dollar Bill busy with advertising, corporate and entertainment projects, Feltz expects Steinkellner to hit the ground running. “Our clients know René and trust her implicitly,” he says. “She’s done a great job in integrating with our staff. She understands our culture and shares our values. It’s a great fit.”
About 11 Dollar Bill
11 Dollar Bill is an innovative post-production studio specializing in creative design, editorial and finishing. Our internal talent and extensive creative network allow us to create custom teams tailored specifically to each project. This modular approach makes our workflow efficient, keeping us less reactionary and ready to create with you. We build lasting relationships with our clients because of the trust established by our expertise in editorial, high-end visual effects, motion graphics, 3D animation and the entire post process.
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