GREGG KATANO [email protected] 323-309-8382 /gregg.katano /greggkatano @greggkatano /greggkatano
BUSINESS STRATEGIST • MEDIA EXECUTIVE • ENTREPRENEUR
Media entrepreneur, business strategist, marketer, educator, and operations management executive with over 20 years of extensive experience in media, entertainment, emerging technologies, and live events.
Working with immersive tech and media companies on strategy, marketing, and business development; conceptualize, design, and execute marketing and media productions and activations; and promote brands both domestically and internationally through copywriting, speaking engagements, social media, and industry events.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
● Business Strategy & Growth ● Strategic Vendor Partnership Development ● Marketing and Public Relations ● Social Media Engagement ● Professional Public Speaking ● Event Organization ● Concept Ideation and Development ● Operations Management ● Community Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Partner / VP of Strategy and Growth Aug. 2017 – Present Hologate VR, Inc. (Munich, Germany; Los Angeles, CA)
Leading the strategy and growth for the world’s leading location-based virtual reality company with over 400 locations across 35 countries, helping the company achieve the 6,000,000 player milestone in less than three years. Responsible for all corporate messaging for investors and company sales and marketing (press releases, website, social media, awards submissions (winner of the top entertainment and amusement awards - Lumiere, IAAPA Brass Ring, and Aurea), and as the company’s public-facing representative and presenter at industry events). Sole representative for U.S. headquarters.
Partner, Producer Jan 2014 – Present DreamlandXR (Formerly VR Festival) / VR Arcade (Las Vegas, NV)
Formed and manage a location-based virtual and augmented reality entertainment solutions company to curate and promote the world’s leading content creators and technology companies. Partners include: Consumer Technology Association-CTA, (Producers of CES), Richard Branson, ACTAI Global, Facebook/Oculus, Alienware, Black Fire Innovation/UNLV, MGM Resorts, Caesars Resorts, Hakkasan Group
General Manager / VP of Business Development Mar. 2018 – July 2020 Phase Two (Culver City, CA)
Established the vision and execution of a creative and frontier tech-centric co-working space in Culver City, California with a focus on virtual reality, augmented reality, media & entertainment, artificial intelligence, biotech, Esports, prop tech, blockchain, and many other areas. Responsible for the strategy, business development, day-to- day operations, marketing /social media, member and community relations, organizing and hosting over 120 events, and creating and maintaining the overall community culture for the facility.
Advisory Board Member Apr. 2019 - Present Kollab (L.A. Boys and Girls Club Alliance + L.A. County Workforce Development Aging & Community Services + ABC7)
Provide professional business advisement and guidance for an organization that supports over 130,000 youth from underserved communities in Southern California with after-school programs, education, mentoring, job training, and career opportunities.
VR Ambassador Aug. 2016 – Present ACTAI Global / Extreme Tech Challenge / Ocean Gala (Las Vegas, NV; Necker Island, BVI)
Named as the first official VR Ambassador to both ACTAI Global (Formerly MaiTai Global, led by investor, entrepreneur, Bill Tai) and Extreme Tech Challenge to help promote virtual reality awareness to their expansive network and integration of virtual reality to the various initiatives produced with Sir Richard Branson / Virgin.
Advisory Board Member Dec. 2016 – Present Cal State University Entertainment Alliance (CSUEA) (Long Beach, CA)
Named as a member to the advisory board of the Cal State University's Entertainment Alliance to contribute innovative pedagogy, mentoring, and guidance that may influence the entertainment-related program development across the 23 Cal State campuses. Fellow board members include representatives of Disney, Netflix, NBC/Universal, and SAG-AFTRA.
Professional Presenter / Speaker July 2015 – Present
Since 2015, presented at over 150 events on virtual reality/augmented reality, media, entertainment, and technology at many of the major conferences and expos around the world. (Notable events include: CES, NAB, Mobile World Congress, Comic-Con, SXSW, IAAPA, Global Game Expo, Digital Hollywood, IBC, Attractions Expo).
Chief Business Strategist May 2014 – Aug. 2017 Unofficial Cardboard (Official Google partner) (Los Angeles, CA)
Oversee the business development strategy, partner engagement, and innovative execution for one of the very first official Google partners and leading supplier of 'Works with Google Cardboard' certified virtual reality viewers. Led brand awareness through speaking engagements both domestically and internationally, social media, and event marketing. Consulted with the leading content creators and technology companies on strategy, production, and distribution.
Founder / Managing Director / Executive Producer Nov. 2005 – May 2014 Hi-Ground Media (Los Angeles, CA)
Oversee the strategic vision and daily operations of a creative studio, which specializes in full production and post-production consultation and execution; stereoscopic 3D, VR, and Holographic concept development and production; strategy and execution of both short form and long from alternative content, sports documentary and series, event marketing, and creative visual effects and design.
Ideation of new business and content concepts, research and identify target markets, analyze and determine relevancy and competition, establish appropriate distribution methods. Recruit and oversee both the internal operations, creative and technical teams and external vendors that will support further development, execute production and delivery of the final media product. Manage the relations of all client accounts. Maintain constant awareness of the content being produced out in the marketplace, disruptive technologies for unique content display and distribution, marketing and social media behaviors, and how content is being consumed.
Notable credits include:
2D & STEREOSCOPIC 3D – LIVE & LONG-FORM PRODUCTION ESPN/Disney '3D X-Games' – Feature Film; Red Bull Media House 'Rampage 3D' – Red Bull’s extreme mountain bike competition which was Red Bull’s inaugural 3D feature; 'Ferrari – Vision of Speed', a 3D Experience for a tastemakers event at the 2012 Monaco F1 Grand Prix; 'SK Telecom / LG mobile 3D' – a 3D pre-feature commercial which aired in 1500 theaters throughout South Korea before Transformers 3D: Dark of the Moon; 'Foo Fighters LIVE 3D' - a theatrical live concert; NFL / Cleveland Browns: Game day show open / ribbon boards; CBS 'Medium' 3D episode, television’s first ever 3D HD broadcast
POST-PRODUCTION, VFX AND LIVE PRODUCTION NBC & CBS 'Medium' (Produced the Visual Effects for the entire 7 season run); Showtime 'Dexter'; NBC 'Alcatraz'; USA 'Common Law', 'Psych'; Red Bull Media House/NBC 'Signature Series' (Online, Color Grading); Jabbawockeez – “MUS.I.C” (Las Vegas production); Crackle/3Net/BBC 'From The Basement: “Red Hot Chili Peppers”
Senior Instructor / Lecturer Aug 2012 – May 2014 Otis College of Art and Design (Los Angeles, CA) (Digital Media Department: - ‘Senior Thesis’ (Portfolio development, business theory and practice), ‘Senior Seminar’ (Entrepreneurial practices and real world preparedness in media)
Developed a course designed to teach the graduating seniors the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit, organization, ethics, and networking to better prepare them for a career as creative artists and business owners in the world of art & digital media.
(Digital Media: ‘Senior Seminar’ – “Entrepreneurial practices and real world preparedness in media”) Aug 2000 – May 2003
Founder / Managing Director / Executive Producer Feb 2003 – Nov 2005 Momentum Lab (@ The Post Group) (Hollywood, CA)
Created and managed the daily operations of one of LA's first high-definition boutiques which specialized in visual effects, graphics, & data-management. Responsible for overall strategic company vision; the concept development, strategy, and execution of shows, alternative content, and creative visual effects and design; recruitment of operations, creative, and technical team; development and management of budgets; business development; marketing.
Notable projects included: CSI, CSI: NY, CSI: Miami; Law & Order; Numbers; Amazing Race; Survivor; Medium; Numbers; War of the Worlds (feature film); The Grudge (feature film)
Founder/Executive Producer/Talent Manager & Recruiter July 1998 – Feb 2000 Digital Trading Post (Los Angeles, CA)
Founded and managed a creative studio which recruited and managed freelance artists and independent creative and technical vendors. Our customized teams would facilitate full post-production services to the industry’s leading networks, production companies, and design studios. Responsible for overall strategic company vision; the concept development, strategy, and execution of shows, alternative content, and creative visual effects and design; development and management of budgets; business development; marketing .
(Notable clients included: Fox Sports Net, FX, Fox Sports International, ESPN, NBC, Imaginary Forces, and Brand New School)
Account Executive / Producer / Director of Operations Mar 1995 – Jul 1998 Novocom, Inc. / GRFX (Hollywood; London; Singapore)
Managed the daily operations, business development, post-production management of a domestic / international design and visual effects facility. (Notable projects included: NFL, MSNBC, Dateline, BskyB, CNBC, SKY, RTL, Telemundo, Pepsi, Michael Jackson, Sprint)
Operations Manager Aug 1990 - Mar 1995 525 Studios / Virgin Digital Studios (Hollywood, CA)
Managed the daily post-production operations for a Richard Branson founded and world’s leading post-production facility, which produced the most recognized and award-winning music videos and commercials in television history including Michael Jackson 'Scream', Madonna 'Bedtime Stories', Smashing Pumpkins 'Tonight, Tonight', U2 'Zoo TV', Budweiser 'Frogs'.
Notable directors included: David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Gore Verbinski, Michael Bay, Wayne Isham. and Mark Romanek.
INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS:
Producers Guild of America - ‘New Media Council’ Co-Vice-Chair 2019 - Present Advisory Board Member 2018 - 2019 Producers Guild of America - ‘AP Council’ Guild Member 2007 - 2018
Advanced Imaging Society Consultant / Advisor 2011 – Present
EDUCATIONAL-RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Guest Instructor / Lecturer / Mentor 2007 –Present (Pepperdine, Otis College of Art & Design, UCLA, USC, Pasadena City College, Cal State University Channel Islands)
EDUCATION:
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Certificate: ‘Marketing’
Otis College of Art and Design Teaching Certification: 'Bricks & Clicks' Online/Blended instruction for Media and Entertainment
University of Southern California Film Production
California State University, Long Beach Major: Radio, Television, and Film