NEW YORK, NY, July 13, 2009 ─ Mantra Design, Creative Group’s design and visual effects boutique, announces the appointment of Casey Steele as executive producer. A 15-year veteran of the motion graphics industry, Steele brings his extensive experience working on both the creative and business sides of the industry to Mantra, further strengthening the company’s ability to deliver cutting-edge creative to its large roster of clients.
In his new position, Steele is responsible for ensuring that Mantra’s clients receive the best experience possible in their collaboration with the design boutique. In addition, he will interface with sales, new business development, budgeting, scheduling, and will have a major role in exploring new talent and opportunities.
“Mantra is led by a strong creative director, Fred Salkind, who has years of experience in the industry,” says Steele. “Fred’s dedication and passion for the work are really what brought me to Mantra. I was also very impressed by Senior Flame Artists Ben Orisich and Miguel Oldenburg, Mantra’s team of artists and the fact that the company has a division in Shanghai, China. It shows that Mantra is future focused and willing to go above and beyond to seek out the best creative talent for its clientele. I am very excited to be working with such a capable group of people.”
Steele got his start in the industry at Imaginary Forces (originally RGA/LA), where he was introduced to the craft of film titles, trailers, environmental, broadcast and commercial design work. He spent several years as director of design for G4TV, where he helped to oversee the on-air look for the network, internal graphics, and a large design and animation team. Prior to G4TV, Steele served as executive producer for Stardust, and Brand New School, among other companies.
“Casey Steele is a welcomed and valuable addition to the Mantra Design family,” says fellow Mantra Design Senior Producer Anna Toonk. “He is extremely talented, and committed to pursuing fantastic motion graphics. I’m excited to continue building Mantra with him aboard, as his extraordinary range of production, design and animation experience is a phenomenal asset for us.”
Among the well-known broadcast and commercial brands Steele has contributed his expertise to are Bombay Sapphire, Burger King, Compaq, DirectTV, Sony Ericsson, HBO, ESPN, CMT, MTV, Sundance Channel, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Versus. While at Fuel/Razorfish, he produced the Emmy-winning X-Games winter and summer packages for ESPN.
About Mantra
Mantra is an award winning creative content design and production studio specializing in creating media for broadcast, commercial, event, retail, digital signage and installations. Located in New York City’s Flatiron District. , Mantra’s talented team of designers and VFX artists are behind some of today’s most visually compelling broadcast and event design offerings including the 2008 Grammy Awards Show, the MTV Video Music Awards, and various show packages. Founded by Creative Group in 2007, it offers motion design, visual effects, creative editorial, event design and production for its clients, many of which are among the world’s best known brands, including CBS, ESPN, CNN, Saatchi & Saatchi, MTV Networks, Nickelodeon, The History Channel, and the USA Network.
About Creative Group
Creative Group is a leading, full-service post production facility specializing in nonlinear, linear and HD editing compositing, visual effects, color correction, digital intermediates, DVD duplication and sound design/5.1 audio post mixing for the broadcast, film and DVD markets. The New York City-based Creative Group first opened its doors in 1993 with an imaginative and award-winning team of artists. The company has since expanded its industry presence to include Mantra, its Manhattan-based design and visual effects boutique, as well as its Bristol, CT location. The company has grown internationally, as well, to include facilities overseas in Shanghai. Working with such high profile clients as The Walt Disney Company, General Electric, Viacom, Time Warner, Paramount, NBC Universal and Momentum, Creative Group prides itself in its mission to offer an all-inclusive hub for value-added creative services. This affords clients the ability to differentiate themselves in today’s cluttered multimedia environment.
