Creating The Perfect Experience

In this episode, Mark speaks with Gigi Burris. Gigi is one of fashion's top American hat designers. Gigi is a CFDA member and was named Forbes 30 under 30. Her designs have been featured in all the major publications from Vogue to Wall Street Journal. Gigi hats are worn by British royalty to celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Zoe Kravitz, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Bella Hadid, and Madonna. ...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Chris Quidley. Chris is the director and co-founder of Quidley and Company Galleries in Florida and Nantucket. Chris works with corporate and private clients to acquire fine art and builds collections of distinction. Chris has been representing fine art for over 30 years.  With a top contemporary painter as his father, and framer mother, Chris literally grew up in...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Maria Clifton a.k.a DJ Ria. Maria is a successful well-known DJ for A list celebrity and events and major brands. Maria is an on-air personality for Sirius XM, Wilhelmina model, Actress, DJ, and in game host for the New York Islanders and New York Liberty.  In this episode we discuss:  DJ Ria background from Professional Basketball to Modeling/Acting to Hosting/DJ...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Franc Fernandez. Franc is an artist, designer, and creative director with Shaping Pop Culture. He creates complete visual tones from music videos to album covers to costumes for his high-profile clients including Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry. He is best known for creating the meat dress for Lady Gaga at the 2010 MTV VMAs.   In this episode we discuss:   Franc’...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Guy Torry. Guy is a multi-talented actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Guy's credits range from acting in American History X and Pearl Harbor, to hosting Def Comedy Jam, to executive producing Fat Tuesdays, the era of hip hop comedy, named the best documentary by the New York Times in 2022.  In this episode we discuss: •           Guy’s Inspiring Career Jo...

In this special episode, Mark shares a quick glance of what to expect in 2024. Topics we’ll cover and highlight as we evolve the focus of Creating the Perfect Experience Podcast. Some topics include:    Focus more on the Creative process and live experiences  Individuals who follow their passion & create the best experiences  Design, architecture, services  Share tips and pitfalls of careers i...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Ashaunna Ayars, A multifaceted, forward-thinking professional, her true passion lies in her natural ability to transform ideas into fruition. Ashaunna is the founder of the Ayars Agency, a strategic brand and entertainment marketing firm. Ashaunna is the branding mastermind behind campaigns for some of the top music stars and brands globally. Her mantra is “Move f...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Bonnie Smith. Bonnie is the Senior Vice President and the Head of VIVI, the Culture Forward Division of Jack Morton Worldwide. Prior to her current position, she founded Studio B, a diversity driven creative agency with clients such as Showtime, NBC Sports, and CoverGirl. Bonnie has been featured in Adweek, Forbes, and Neyma Crane's Notable Entrepreneur. In t...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Christine McBride. Christine is the Senior Director of Logistics and Operations for the Essence Festival of Culture. Christine has 25 years of event production experience, producing hundreds of live large-scale events around the world. Christine even supported the United Nations Economic Development Fund in Rio.  Christine McBride https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Chaira Foma. Chaira is a designer on Mark’s team. Chaira enjoys and has experience experimenting and pushing Artificial Intelligence together on various AI projects. Mark and Chaira discuss how AI or generative artificial intelligence is affecting experiential design. 1:21         Apprehension about the potential of AI 2:22         Everyday Uses of AI 3:34       ...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Maurice “Mo” Caicedo Owner of Hey Mister! Mo is an award-winning 3D animator, his company, Hey Mister, is a full-service visual effects animation interactive studio, which creates the virtual experience of the food network, Samsung, and the Van Gogh exhibit. 1:10  - Got started at a young age 2:22  - Traditional Art School – learned foundations of Art 7:08  - Blue...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Elizabeth Anne Frank from Eye5. Elli is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eye5 a staffing agency for events and experiences for over 19 years. Eye 5 provides models and brand ambassadors for companies such as Maybelline, Samsung, and Target. 1:04           Got started with Experiential Marketing  4:16           Process of Staffing an Event 8:40           ...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Jim Joseph. His theater career spans over three decades, on and off Broadway. Jim is currently the Director of Operations for the Second Stage Theater company where he oversees the operations, the Helen Hayes Theater, and the Tony Kaiser Theater. 1:46         Highschool beginnings: Performing Westside Story & Playing Football 3:08         Studied radio, broadc...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Andrew Greene from Housing Works. Andrew is the Chief Operating Officer of Nonprofit. Housing Works mission is to end the dual crisis of homelessness and AIDS through advocacy, life-saving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain its efforts.    1:18                 Andrew starts with Fund-raising, public media, events 3:37                 Housing Wor...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Tom Williams from Kadan Productions. Tom is a veteran of special event production. Thomas brought the vision of designers and producers to life for over 35 years, including New York Fashion Week, where he is been a staple for his 56 seasons. So if you can imagine it, Tom can build it. 1:33     -  Degree in TV & Radio 2:05     -  Went from TV Weatherman to Adve...

Eva Clark, who has planned over 500 weddings in the US and Europe, was named one of the best wedding planners in America by Brides Magazine. In 2003, she started a customized invitations business before shifting into wedding planning. Now, she’s one of the best in the business. She offers tips for prospective event planners as well as an overview of her own planning process. 0:31        Organic Be...

In this second solocast, Mark discusses event strategies and shares some of the common issues marketers encounter in producing events. Sponsorships, finances, staffing shortages, timeframes, current events, and social factors are a few things to take into account. It's never too early to begin strategizing and planning for your event.   0:31        Solocast   1:25        Lead Times and Budget...

Christina Neault has over 25 years of experience in fashion events and has been involved in New York Fashion Week from the start. She’s witnessed NYFW move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, to all over NYC. She spent eleven years as the Executive Producer at IMG Fashion and is still assisting designers with organizing fashion shows. Christina also mentors’ students at the High School of Fashion...

Teena Mobley is the Brand Experience and Events Manager at CBS. Her most recent project was "Summer of Ghosts," an immersive campaign to celebrate the hit CBS television series Ghosts . She studied business and sports management but was drawn to the "spice of life" in the events industry. Teena nearly died from cystic fibrosis when she was 10 years old and is a member of the Cy...

Colin Cowie is a highly regarded expert in experiential design, high-end events, luxury, and style. Royalty, Oprah, Ryan Seacrest, and Jenifer Lopez make up a few of his clients. The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn't Know They Wanted, his most recent book, is a manual for creating exceptional customer experiences. Originally from South Africa, Colin moved to LA and got his...

Erick Long is the Vice President of Production at RedPeg Marketing, an independent brand engagement agency that creates memorable experiences. His exciting and varied career in events and entertainment has involved working with the Academy of Country Music Awards, Universal Studios, the Winter Olympics, and the Grammys. In this episode, Erick gives advice to young interns and aspiring event planne...

In this special episode, Mark shares industry tips about ways to increase your event success rate time by using "time" to your advantage 1:15     Lack of control during events 1:20     Prototypes 2:25     In sync team 2:33      Ways to increase your success rate 3:28      Ability to manage uncertainty 4:06      Management of Time 6:01      Permits 8:34      Budgets 9:27      Ideal time f...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Wendell Cruz, sports & event photographer. Wendell combines his love of sports and photography to become a highly sought-after sports and event photographer. His images appear on media outlets throughout the country, such as New York Times, NBC Sports, and Sports Illustrated to name a few. 1:02       Started in Law, always loved photography 2:08       Public D...

In this episode, Mark speaks with Carmen Jones, the Senior Director of Experiential of Essence. With over 20 years of experience, Carmen is responsible for the brands notable live and virtual events, including Essence Festival of Culture, Black Women in Hollywood, and Essence Fashion House to name a few. Learn what it takes to produce one of the nation’s largest festival, The Essence Festival of C...

In this episode, Mark speaks with David Bowen, the president and founder of Bowen & Company. His company produces spectacular high-profile events, including the James Beard awards, where he has served as executive producer for 16 years.  Learn what it takes to produce this multi-faceted event that includes an awards ceremony and a culinary component with over 25 chefs from around the country....