Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Rebentisch.
Philip, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Like any kid growing up in a small Michigan town with more cows than people, I made my first film at age 17. It was a travelogue satire, and from then on my goal was to be a writer. To this day, writing remains the core of my professional passions.
After college, I was hired by NASA to create international educational television. At age 21, my shows were in 100+ countries every week. Life was great until Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. I pitched a show about students’ stories, poems, music and artwork that I received. My pitch went to the head of NASA who turned down my idea, so I moved on. I had to move on.
Landing in Los Angeles, I was a staff TV writer-director for Boeing creating marketing and PR videos for NASA and Congress. From there I worked on my own projects, did freelance work including behind the scenes for HBO Comic Relief and a few shows for E! Entertainment. A short film I directed was on Showtime for three years. In 1998, I wanted to go work on this new thing called the Internet and left production behind. For a bit.
Producing websites and creating content led me back to production work. I purchased a digital video camera package and set up a digital editing studio. I produced marketing and PR videos from concept to completion, including music. I am the Chief Storyteller of Gotta Story Media. I create people based content marketing starting with written messaging and shepherding the brand through original podcasts and digital video content. Storytelling is the coming wave of advertising and it’s what I love to create.
I’m also currently president of American Marketing Association Los Angeles, exercising leadership skills, creating content, hosting conferences, and moderating panels. I’m proud of the work our chapter performs for its members and our community. For me, connecting people is the most rewarding part of my job.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have not had a standard career arc as I never pursued one vertical, such as staying in entertainment or advertising. The common thread has always been doing creative work, yet even that took a turn when I worked the legal side of the advertising business for several years. Instead of creating content for agencies, I reviewed it to keep ad campaigns out of copyright and trademark trouble. I wonder about the “what ifs” from time to time, but my personal motto is to always stay hungry, and curious.
Launching my own creative shop, I get a shot of adrenaline every day as a reminder of the risk I’m taking. But as soon as I start the day’s creative process, I am at peace as I truly love it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Gotta Story Media creates content marketing. You do not hire me to create an ad about a designer suit 70% off sale. You hire me to tell the story of the woman who bought that suit, was empowered by it, nailed the job interview and got the job. It’s a different perspective, and speaking the language of your audience is essential.
At my core, I am a writer and develop brand messaging for websites, social media, blogs/articles, email, and personal profiles/bios. I then shepard that messaging through original podcasts and digital video as the producer and host. To put it simply, I truly enjoy interviewing people and telling their stories in advertising platforms. My wife calls me a chameleon as I can talk to anyone and blend into and learn about their world. Then I tell their story. I am most proud of the fact that I do so in an authentic way, and I love what I do.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Through AMA Los Angeles, I’ve developed a relationship with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. I asked them the very same question as LA has a reputation for red tape. In truth, this is an amazing place to do business, especially in the tech, content creation, fashion, travel and food industries. Media and entertainment is a given, but there is so much more to the business landscape in Los Angeles.
However, there is a common thread; we are a networking, relationship-driven town. Get involved with networking organizations and help spread the word about the diversity of business, culture, and people here in LA. There is no other place like it on the planet.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gottastory.com
- Phone: 3106140155
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philip.tish
- Twitter: @PhilipTish
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
