The Team
| EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEERS: CO-FOUNDERS: Liam Blume Co-Founder, Chairman & President, CCC; Publisher, (it) Magazine Mr. Blume has an extensive background and knowledge in the area of branding, marketing, advertising, e-commerce, creative services, storytelling and social media for cable TV networks, production companies, advertisers, and non profits in media. He presides over Brand Awakening: a consulting group providing brand driven sales, marketing and creative services. Previously he worked with Charter Media as an Advertising Executive, specializing in providing his clients with consumer research, media planning, production services, promotions, and interactive TV marketing services. From 1997 - 2001, Mr. Blume was involved in the launch of three television networks (including the Hallmark Channel), where his responsibilities ranged from sales, online, consumer and event marketing to programming analysis and development. In addition, he worked on the branding of these three networks and served as the liaison to the Comcast national re-branding initiative. During this time, he also managed Community Relations partnerships involving a range of organizations including Cable In the Classroom and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition (AKA Faith and Values Media), and a variety of initiatives like media literacy. As an independent consultant, Mr. Blume has guided numerous companies in visioning, strategically planning and matching operations and marketing for growth including: The Candle Cafe (NYC), and the theatrical motion picture, "Benji Off the Leash", with creator/writer/director, Joe Camp,and Margaret A. Loesch, co-founder of The Hatchery, a company formed with partners Bruce Stein and Peter Guber. Mr. Blume brings added management sense to the Community of Content Creators through his Wall Street work experience with E. F. Hutton, Ladenburg, Thalmann & Company Inc.and his licensing accreditations for securities, commodities, insurance and real estate activity. Having taken to the thrill of travel early in his life, Mr. Blume, a graduate of Ithaca College, spent time studying abroad in London and Madrid and his travels have taken him as far as the mountains of Tibet. He was raised in Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. Theresa Kennedy Co-Founder CCC; Editor-in-Chief, (it) Magazine Ms. Kennedy brings a wide background in print and marketing to the CCC and (it) magazine, including experience in project management, art and editorial direction, promotion and licensing. Her involvement in the start up of the Fox Kids Network lead to 8 years publishing experience where she served as managing editor of the Fox Kids Magazine, the largest kids magazine on the market. As such, she oversaw a 6 million dollar annual budget and had a hands-on role in all aspects of the content and production of the publication, which grew from a circulation of 100,000 to over 4.4 million homes during her tenure. In addition, she supervised the development of the content and design of the first Fox Kids web site, handled the creation and production of all Fox Kids Network print promotional and marketing materials, and was responsible for licensed product approvals in all categories. As a freelance Production Manager and consultant, she has worked successfully with a large variety of entertainment clients, including Warner Bros., Universal, NBC, Odyssey Network and Fox Family, and ran a successful pro-digital photography studio in Culver City for four years. Now, through the CCC, Ms. Kennedy is bringing together stories, public figures and passionate people to drive pro-social action through the new non-profit media venture, (it) magazine. She also co-chairs with her husband the raising of two socially conscious kids inPasadena, CA. EXECUTIVE VOLUNTEERS: Thomas C. Geyer CCC Board Member and Brand Manager Manager, Corporate Branding and Strategic Marketing, Microsoft Thomas Geyer has a comprehensive background and knowledge in the area of brand strategy and deployment. Currently, at Microsoft Corporation Tom manages its corporate brand and strategic development. His responsibilities range from guiding its brand architecture to assisting various business groups evolve the MS brand portfolio through naming, value propositioning, positioning and messaging. Prior to his work at Microsoft, Tom also managed the corporate brand of Eaton Corporation headquartered in Cleveland, OH. Tom spent a significant portion of his career as a consultant/brand strategist within The Brand Consultancy. There Tom had been responsible for internal product development and has been instrumental in the support of such corporate and product brands as Bell Canada Enterprises, The History Channel, TD Canada Trust, Sears, DynCorp, and Staples. Thomas Walsh CCC Board Member and Advisory Fmr. General Counsel, Project Hope Tom Walsh is a graduate of Williams College and Georgetown University Law School. After early career experience as a communications lawyer, Tom spent 12 years as General Counsel and a member of the senior executive management of Project Hope, a charity dedicated to helping countries develop their medical care systems. After several more years consulting to non-profits, Tom is now a financial advisor. He remains an active community volunteer. In addition to his Board membership at CCC, he serves on the Board of Potomac Community Resources, an organization dedicated to providing assistance to special needs adolescents and adults, and Eco-Spirit, an environmental education organization. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife and two children. Greg Cherry Assoc. Director of Development and Grant Writer, CCC Assoc. Director Major Gifts, American Red Cross Greg Cherry joins (it) magazine as a volunteer in providing grant writing services and identifying Foundation support and potential donors. As of July 2009, Greg accepted a new position with the American Red Cross of Los Angeles as the Associate Director of Major Gifts. Greg will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting major individual gifts with an emphasis on securing gifts for local program support and disaster preparedness. Previously, Greg worked for the Annenberg Foundation in Los Angeles as a Program Associate, where he was responsible for the review, due diligence, and advocacy of funding for non-profits, and granted nearly $2 million during his time there. He has a background in the entertainment industry in production services and recently graduated from USC with his Masters in Communication Management, where he created a web-based social networking site for his final thesis. Heather E. Connell Production Supervisor, CCC Executive Producer, Displaced Yankee Heather E. Connell graduated with honors from Salem State College with a degree in Theatre Arts. She moved to Los Angeles eight years ago and founded Displaced Yankee Productions, a film company dedicated to using media to raise social awareness and increase social activism. Serving as Executive Producer and Director, Ms. Connell has overseen the short film series Black/White, an introspective look at social issues surrounding the death penalty, gay parenting and interracial marriage. In 2004, Ms.Connell began work on the international documentary project Small Voices: The Stories Of Cambodia's Children. This in-depth look at the poverty and homelessness of Cambodia's street and garbage children seen through the eyes of this first generation to be born to survivors of the Khmer Rouge received several top awards at Film Festivals around the country. Ms. Connell served in the 95th ARCOM in the US ARMY Reserves as a broadcast journalist where she wrote and helped produce stories of humanitarian work being done by US Army troops here and abroad. Denny Dansereau Director of Online Marketing, CCC President, FilmPR.com Mr. Dansereau has fifteen years experience in entertainment marketing and advertising for internet, radio, film and live events, and currently brings leading edge online technologies to the art. Denny comes from a grass-roots guerilla marketing career in radio with Salem Communications that included event promotions and stunts. He also provided radio and online grassroots marketing to the Anschutz Film Group (Walden Media) for the theatrical release of Joshua. He has since founded his own company, FilmPR.com, where he has transformed and applied his experience with radio syndication models to new grass roots initiatives utilizing digital media. Film PRs breakout digital marketing tactics were utilized for the blockbuster success of The Passion of the Christ in 2004. Other film projects include: Chronicles of Narnia, Polar Express, and United 93. In these projects and others, FilmPR.com brought leading edge tactics like streaming media and viral video to the marketplace, and they are currently serving clients with live interactive video-based online chat services. Denny hails from Canada and likes to drive fast cars up the California coast. Max Herbas Director of VOD Services, CCC Max I. Herbas is a sales and marketing professional with 18 years of experience in retail and cable developing marketing strategies, launching new products and building sales organizations. With expertise in VOD and Hispanic marketing, most recently Max has been consulting in creating VOD strategies for start-up networks, Hispanic networks and in creating Hispanic field marketing programs with cable companies. After starting his career in cable as a marketing manager with Continental Cable in Southern California, Max has held a variety of management positions in the industry including Area Manager, Director of New Products and Director of Sales and Marketing with TCI, Century Cable, Showtime Networks, Time Warner and Comcast. Responsibilities included overseeing sales and marketing efforts of a division with over 350,000 customers, developing Hispanic and Multi-cultural marketing strategies and directing the launch of New Products. While at Time Warner, Los Angeles he created and launched Time Warner en Espanol and directed the launch of Video-On-Demand, High Definition and Digital Video Recorders. In 2004, Max was elected President of the Southern California chapter of the Cable and Telecommunication Association of Marketing where he has served on the board for the past 8 years. He is also a member of and has served on the board of Southern California Chapter of the National Association of Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). Max is a fellow of the Walter Kaitz Foundation Cable Management and is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, New Venture Management and Initiation. Charles S. Kennedy, III Marketing and Trend Research Advisor, CCC Sr. Vice President, ABC Networks Charles Kennedy has extensive background and knowledge in the field of social, cultural and consumer trends research. Prior to his current position at ABC, Mr. Kennedy spent seven years specializing in generational analysis, media trends, and social trend expression through entertainment at DYG, Inc. For over a decade at Fox Broadcasting, he was responsible for testing viewer reaction to all Fox programs, marketing concepts and brand imagery. He's now back in the entertainment sector as Sr. VP of Research for ABC. A trained moderator, Mr. Kennedy has conducted over 700 focus groups. His work at the Newscorp owned Fox network involved him in the initial research for the launch of The FX channel, The Family Channel and Fox Sports. The son of a diplomat, Mr. Kennedy spent most of his childhood and adolescence overseas in Yugoslavia, Greece, Korea and Italy. Charles received his moderator training at the Burke Institute in Cincinnati, and is pursuing a Masters in Futures Studies at the University of Houston. Kate McCallum Educational Director, CCC Founder/Writer/Producer: Bridge Arts Media and Center for Conscious Creativity Kate McCallum has been actively employed in the arts and entertainment industry for over 25 years, working with some of the top writers and creators in the business on episodic series such as LAW & ORDER, THE MARSHAL, EQUALIZER, CRIME STORY, MIAMI VICE, GIMME A BREAK, CHARLES IN CHARGE and more. In association with the production company, Alexander/Enright & Associates, she produced and developed a liferights movie WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU? for NBC TV which starred Mel Harris and Nicholle Tom. Kate spent several years as V.P. Creative at WESTERN SANDBLAST/ PARAMOUNT TV working with Dan Pyne (MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE 2004, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, DOC HOLLYWOOD), John Mankiewitz and Aaron Lipstadt (THE DIVISION, THE MARSHAL, MIAMI VICE),where she developed and sold MOWs and series concepts. Kate also worked with Michael Chernuchin at NBC/UNIVERSAL TV, where they developed series and long form content. As a journalist, Kate created and writes her own column for Scr(i)pt Magazine, called THE GREAT IDEA. Now as a media entrepreneur, she has founded BRIDGE ARTS MEDIA, a transmedia development and consulting company through which she has developed several book and multi-media projects, including an original screenplay she co-wrote about the life of HILDEGARD VON BINGEN, a music visual piece called METASPHERE, and a special on the future called VISIONS FROM THE EDGE. She is also co-founder with Philip Horvath of The Center For Conscious Creativity (c3), an organization that exploresthe power of synergizing creativity, consciousness, and future studies towards the creation of more transformational art and media. Kate recently served as VP Programming for the HARMONY CHANNEL, an innovative new visual music channel recently launched on COMCAST. Kate holds a BA in Communications and Music from Western Michigan University and an MA in Consciousness Studies from The University of Philosophical Research. She is a frequent guest speaker and panelist at writers conferences and pitch fests, and teaches workshops in Creating Cross Media Content and Writing and Creating for the Small Screen, and recently co-produced a writers conference in Los Angeles with The Southern California Writers Conference. She is member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the World Future Society, and the Institute for Noetic Sciences, and is an avid photographer and musician. Terry Meurer Producer, CCC President, Cosgrove/Meurer Productions An award-winning and acclaimed filmmaker, Terry Dunn Meurer is co-creator and executive producer of the six-time Emmy nominated series, Unsolved Mysteries, along with partner John Cosgrove. The first and most successful show of its kind, Unsolved Mysteries gained not only critical notice, but also a loyal following drawn to the show's exciting mix of stories ranging from high-profile fugitive cases to unexplained phenomenon, lost loves, missing persons and unclaimed fortunes. Meurer has also executive produced sixteen movies-for-television, as well as the recent reality genre productions Proof Positive, a 10-hour series for SciFi,and Secret Lives, a 5-hour series for Lifetime. Before founding Cosgrove/Meurer Productions in 1987, Terry produced a wide variety of documentary and reality-based programming. Among her credits are the Emmy nominated special, "Missing: Have You Seen This Person?" and the HBO documentary "Five American Guns," an unsettling view of violence in America as seen through the eyes of five average Americans involved in shooting incidents. This acclaimed special won first place honors at the San Francisco, New York and Montreal Film Festivals. Meurer also produced "Murder or Mercy," which examined euthanasia and was awarded top honors at the Houston International Film Festival. Meurer is a member of the DGA, the WGA, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She is the mother of three children and divides her time between her company's Burbank office, her nearby home, and her commitment to parent activities at her children's schools. Tory Smith Database Manager, CCC Executive Officer, IamIt Corporation Tory Smith has been professionally and academically involved in fine art, graphic design, and marketing communications with an emphasis in new media for Web, Email and mobile content for the last 10 years. Since 2003, Tory has been a Board Member and Executive Officer for IamIT Corporation. Tory has spent the last several years developing international relations with Mauritius based partner FRCI and working to advance the adoption of opt-in marketing standards and solutions in the Indian Ocean region. Now living in San Francisco, Tory is currently consulting with JPMorgan Chase as a presentation designer, continuing his efforts with IamIT, and personally enjoys traveling and working on his art. James Sorensen Photography and Production Services, CCC James Sorensen is a well-known celebrity photographer with a prominent client list including Paramount, Columbia Tri-Star, Fox, Warner Bros., Universal, Disney, NBC and ABC. He has become highly sought after for the style and quality he brings to his photographs as well as the energy and creativity he brings to every production. In front of his camera have stood some of Hollywoods most elite personalities including: John Travolta, Catherine Zeta-Jones, James Woods, Kelly Preston, Martin Short, Jay Leno, Isaac Hayes, Jenna Elfman, Keifer Sutherland, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Barry Levinson, Charlton Heston, Garry Marshall, Robert Zemeckis, Martin Sheen and Quincy Jones. With over 15 years of successful production experience, James brings production, promotion and marketing, digital photography, and computer design skills as well as his entertainment contacts and celebrity friends to support (it) magazine's success. Mark Stolnitz Post Production Supervisor, CCC V.P. Post Production Services and Online Operations, Hallmark Channel Mark Stolnitz has spent the past 10 years at the Hallmark Channel, where he is responsible for the technical processing of all materials for air and their delivery to playback. During his tenure he has also created databases/workflows to manage promo creation, program edit processes and all video asset management. Mark created and executed a completely revamped Digital Asset Management strategy at the network and has overseen the company's conversion of all short form assets from tape to digital. Additional duties now include the management of Hallmark Channel's internal and external web site deployment strategy and execution. He also designed and supervised the build-out of a new $2 million in-house post production facility including editorial, graphics, quality control and central machine room. Mark has a wide background as a producer/writer/editor of on-air promos, employed by or working for clients such as Starz! Encore, ColumbiaTri-Star, MGM Gold Network, Turner Classic Movies and TBS Superstation. He began as an On-Air Promo Producer for WGRC in Rochester NY, where he won a CTAM award for his news promo campaign. Mark lives in Valencia, CA with his wife and two young children. Jason Waterman Website Developer and Site Management, CCC Principal, Waterman International LLC Jason Waterman is the Principal at Waterman International LLC, which was established in 2005 in Detroit, Michigan as aprovider of affordable web-based software development services to small and medium-sized US companies through leveraging of their international partnerships in Eastern Europe. Since that time, Waterman International has developed into a full web-marketing company providing website and web application solutions for the Hollywood entertainment industry including work onsuch movies as The Chronicles of Narnia, Expelled, Rocky Balboa, Polar Express, and The Secret Life of Bees. Mr. Waterman brings to his clients more than 15 years of software engineering experience, including 10 years of expertise working with distributed software development teams across North America (U.S.&Mexico), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia. His core expertise is in software project management and distributed software development. Prior to launching Waterman International LLC, Mr. Waterman was a senior software manager at Siemens VDO based in Detroit, Michigan and a software manager at Siemens VDO SRL in the emerging "Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe" - Timisoara, Romania. Mr. Waterman holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan and an Executive Certificate in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. As the founder of Electric Butterfly, Dave bringshis vision and creative energy to every project the company tackles. He is the creator and lead developer behind all of Electric Butterfly's software products. Since 1995, Electric Butterfly has built a solid reputation as one of the most productive, reliable, and innovative software and web development firms in the industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, the award-winning Electric Butterfly has been the creative force behind many successful web design, multimedia, marketing and software projects for dozens of high-profile clients.
"At it's core, software and web development is a service oriented business. Building and maintaining the client relationship has always been our top priority," says Dave. "Our continued growth and success stems from avoiding 'cookie-cutter' formulas and focusing on custom turn-key solutions that exceed our clients' needs through a diverse range of services." Electric Butterfly offers extensive Web Design Services, Custom Software Development, and Technical Writing Services. Electric Butterfly also develops a successful line of commercial software applications and developer tools, such as the award-winning HelpLogic, UniHelp, and Stimulus products.
When Dave's not writing code, he's often writing articles and has published several in REALbasic Developer magazine and wrote a regular monthly column in MacTech magazine. He's currently working on a new book. VOLUNTEER TEAM: Brian Lambert Composer, CCC President, HiddenStory Productions Alexandra Leh Voiceover and Production, CCC Writer, Producer and Consultant: LaCheraqui Films Candice Marks Social Media Director - Facebook, CCC Candice Marks Designs Cindy O'Leary Manager, Special Projects, CCC Cindy O'Leary graduated Cum Laude from Southwestern University School of Law and has been a practicing entertainment and corporate attorney for many years. She worked at Paramount and the Motion Picture Association of America during law school and Fox Family and Disney for over four years. She now freelances as an attorney with organizations such as American Golf Corporation and as advance/event staff with various special events, including the X-Prize Cup. Ms. O'Leary also spent several months as part of the National Advance Staff for the Kerry/Edwards Presidential Campaign, handling press advance and logistics for events on the campaign trail. She has a background in law, politics, and writing. Adrienne Papp Profile Editor, CCC Principal, Atlantic Publicity Adrienne Papp is a writer, editor, internationally-known journalist and the principal behind New York-based Atlantic Publicity, which specializes in the promotion of personalities and new ideas. Her expertise ranges from covering high profile entertainment events like the Academy Awards, and the Sundance, Cannes and Hungarian Film Festivals, to an involvement with socially proactive organizations like The Aspen Institute, the Christian Children's Fund and the World Wildlife Foundation, to name a few of the organizations she supports. She has an MBA in Economics, and is currently working on a postgraduate degree in advertising, marketing and journalism at UCLA. Perry Payne Editor and Producer, CCC Digital Content Producer, Purse Dog TV Sandra Payne Social Media Director - Twitter, CCC Writer/Producer, Purse Dog TV Mia White Art Director, Online Services, CCC Freelance Website Designer |
