MINNEAPOLIS–VOLT Studios has made two key additions to the team: managing director Teah Strandjord and sr. producer Mariah Becchetti.
“Teah’s role is a new one for our studio, which encompasses industry relationships–of which she has many–and working alongside the partners to design where we go from here. This is a natural evolution for us, with the ideal person in this role,” said VOLT partner/creative director Tom Jacobsen. “Mariah’s an exceptional producer who had already worked with us on a few projects so we knew she was a great fit and amazing in her role. She was a very in demand freelancer when we asked her to join us–and we are lucky she said yes.”
VOLT partner Steve Medin said, “Our relationship with Teah started when she worked for us briefly on some new business before she moved to LA. I joked at the time that we would win her back someday–and I am thrilled we did. She has a wealth of varied experiences, she’s super-smart, and she’s extremely thoughtful. She considers all feelings and opinions when contemplating strategies and ideas. Thrilled, I tell you! With Mariah, we had her in as a temporary producer but she was so good that we had to find a way to keep her too! She’s a total pro and I can relax knowing that she’s on the job.”
Strandjord has spent her entire life in advertising and entertainment, starting as a commercial actress, and then jumping behind the camera to wear many hats across production and post, including editor, director, post supervisor, line producer, and executive producer. This holistic quilt of experience has equipped her with the ability to understand the work from almost every point of view. Among her vast expertise, Strandjord has enjoyed leadership positions in companies including Los Angeles-based Blue Giant Entertainment where she spearheaded the creation of bonus content for Disney titles including Maleficent, the Oscar-winning Big Hero 6, and JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode 7. Most recently, Strandjord was executive producer for FutureDeluxe, and executive producer, development at Nice Shoes. Along the way Strandjord has worked with brands including Adidas, Tiffany & Co., Spotify, Infiniti, Google, US Bank, BP, and the US Navy; studios including Disney, Universal Studios, and Lionsgate; and agencies including Saatchi LA, 72andSunny, Designory, and Droga5. She has served as faculty in the film school at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Most importantly to Strandjord, she has been a next generation mentor, and cares passionately about community and inclusion.
“VOLT does incredible work with great agencies and brands. Most important, to me, the studio exemplifies a people-first culture. A lot of companies say that is one of their values, but VOLT really lives it,” said Strandjord. “I am honored and excited to build upon this foundation to help design the VOLT of the future, exploring new processes to deliver for our clients including the expansion of our new animation department.”
Becchetti has production experience across a variety of avenues on the agency side. She began as an integrated producer working in an array of mediums including video, radio, photo, print, web/HTML, OOH, and collateral & event, but shifted focus to postproduction over the past five years. One of Becchetti’s first video productions as a new producer at Hunt Adkins was a collaboration with VOLT on a tabletop stop-motion shoot and animation project for TCF Bank, where–fun fact–she provided hand talent. At the time, VOLT’s now editor and animator Kurtis Benson was an intern helping on the project–a full-circle moment that the team looks back on fondly. After her time as a producer at the agency, Becchetti managed MONO’s content studio producing campaigns for brands like Target, Google, Leinie’s, La Colombe, Sherwin Williams, and Libby Wine. Directly prior to joining VOLT, she was in freelance postproduction and worked on a number of broadcast spots for agencies such as Digitas, Leo Burnett, and BBH for brands like Cadillac, Google, Bank of America, U.S. Cellular, Eggo, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran Crunch, and Frosted Flakes.
“I’ve worked primarily on the agency side, and throughout the years we’ve had the chance to work together on really special projects, which was a treat every time,” recalled Becchetti. “This feels like a very coveted position and it is special to be with this team everyday.”
