- As CEO and Co-Founder of Digital Kitchen, Don McNeill has led one of the most artistically celebrated and results-driven marketing communications agencies in the entertainment industry. For the past 15 years at DK, teams of filmmakers, technologists and motion graphic artists have created Emmy® and Cannes award-winning work for world's leading entertainment networks, studios and platforms including HBO, Showtime, Sony Pictures, Dreamworks, Overbrook Entertainment, Paramount, Warner Bros., Discovery Channel, National Geographic, A&E, TNT, FX, and the Sundance Film Festival. As well as new media outlets like Xbox, AT&T U-verse, and environmental installations.
Digital Kitchen's impact in entertainment began with the reinvention of the opening title sequence with HBO's "Six Feet Under," landing the agency an Emmy and instant notoriety. DK became the go-to shop for opening sequences, creating beloved titles for over 35 title, including Showtime's "Dexter," HBO's "True Blood," and FX's "Nip/Tuck." The work landed DK 2 Emmys and 11 Emmy nominations, the most for any company in category.
DK's content driven marketing approach quickly garnered demand among entertainment companies and brands looking to take advantage of storytelling, branding and technology. Notable work includes HBO's most successful season opener marketing campaigns for "True Blood" Season Two. DK's relationship with HBO flourished producing some of the most notable content marketing efforts to date such as a "True Blood" viral music video from super fan, Snoop Dog, a holiday Christmas album and music video to promote Season Four of "Big Love". The original content digital strategy for "True Blood" was designed to preserve viewing habits and PR between seasons.
Digital Kitchen has been AT&T's lead agency for the U-verse entertainment platform from its startup and beta phase. DK was responsible for creating and launching the U-verse brand, creating all station identity, back end user interface design, customer experience strategy, and currently manages all the programming for the platform's exclusive member channels (Buzz, Sports, Movies, and Front Row). Producing more than 1,200 hours of original, award-winning programming revenues in 2013, the platform has now exceeded $12 Billion in revenue, making U-verse a Fortune 50 company in under six years.
In the digital space, DK is credited with producing original branded shorts and second screen content. For Dreamworks, DK created an immersive Facebook experience and website to promote the second season of TNT's "Falling Skies." The campaign was recognized by Facebook as one of the best platform executions of 2012. To promote Paramount's "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," DK invented the world's first interactive movie poster to entice fans and drive ticket sales. Mobile users could approach the movie poster to unlock an augmented reality game based on the film.
For longtime client Microsoft, DK often marries interactive and entertainment for the brand. For Internet Explorer, DK created an interactive music video for up-and-coming artist Jasmine V to connect a younger audience with the browser. To launch Warner's Bros. "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows," DK created a digital film and gaming experience on the MSN platform. DK is currently the agency in charge of social media for Bing and Internet Explorer.
Collectively including entertainment and brand work, Digital Kitchen has won awards in every major festival including the prestigious Grand Prix Lion at Cannes, One Show, Effies, Clios, Emmy's and Webbys.
Prior to Digital Kitchen, Don served as senior partner and executive producer at Ogilvy Chicago, where he produced a record number of commercials and garnered numerous industry awards. Don is a past President of the AICP Midwest and a founding member of the AICP NEXT committee and past Chairman. He's an active member of Society of Digital Agencies. He serves on the Technology committee of the Economic Club of Chicago and is a recipient of the prestigious Chicago Innovation Award.
He received his bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism & Performing Arts from Marquette University, where he studied broadcasting, communications and advertising.
Digital Kitchen is independently owned and maintains offices in Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Kristen Sotakoun - McNeill is CEO of Spire Artists Management. His unique perspective from 20 years at DK provided a clear vision for where the industry is heading and where the best opportunities are for creative talent. Spire is a progressive talent management company in Los Angeles and Chicago founded with the belief that creativity and high quality content is paramount. We represent world class actors, directors, writers and content creators with this same belief. Our mission is simple -- to facilitate the dreams and ambitions of our talented clients.
Unlike most management firms, we are very forward thinking. We place and package talent in major films and television series. However, we also embrace the new mediums and opportunities that exist for talent to express their creative vision.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Don mcneill - Spire Artists Management is a progressive talent management company in Los Angeles and Chicago. We are experts in entertainment, emerging platforms, and branding. Our leadership team have received 7 Emmy awards, a Cannes Grand Prix, and are widely recognized as industry leaders and pioneers in entertainment branding and production. We represent 75+ world class actors, directors, and content creators. Unlike most typical management firms, we are very forward thinking and next-level marketing focused. We manage talent in major films and television series. However, we also embrace the new mediums and opportunities that exist for talent to express their creative vision and build their careers beyond traditional channels and methods.
Television, movies and theater have been joined by streaming services, interactive experiences, video casts, podcasts, social media, video games, eSports, VR, AR and mixed media events. At Spire, we sit at the intersection of these platforms and pop culture. We provide amazing opportunities for our talent to succeed, with enriching and rewarding work in all these areas. Often owning their own content.
Today, Production and IP are critical to understand. Having produced over 2000+ hours of original content for Film, TV, Commercials, Streaming, Experiential, Brand films, and alternative platforms, we are uniquely positioned to provide valuable counsel, leadership, and guidance for today's dynamic and ever changing industry.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Don McNeill
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