Michael Kelly

Hi,

I’m Michael and I’m a self-directed creative with experience in delivering ideas from concept to launch. Over the last 5 years, I’ve led teams at experiential-retail startups, “Dream Machine” and “Elsewhere at The Madcap Motel” as a Creative Strategist, Creative Producer, and Head of Operations.  

At “Madcap Motel” I co-concepted the creative and project managed an +85 person production team to execute a 17,000 sq. ft. build.  As we neared launch, I hired and managed a 100-person operational and theatrical team to efficiently deliver an immersive experience according to our business mission.  

As Business Development Manager at MKG, I developed experiential marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 clients by deeply understanding our client’s brand identity, business goals, and opportunities within their competitive landscape. I collaboratively strategized with creative teams to innovate, solve, and pitch effective creative solutions according to budget, timeline, and messaging.

Prior to working in the experiential space, I was a Music Producer for 10 years with my group SAVOY and led cross-functional teams to plan, produce, and launch musical releases and execute live performances on stages including Lollapalooza, Soldier Field, and Red Rocks Amphitheater. 

As an inquisitive person, I like to research and listen; I integrate these traits into my leadership style. I ran large multidisciplinary teams across the entertainment industry through transparency, team-oriented support, a growth mindset, and direct communication. As my career and experience evolve, I am constantly reminded of two things:

1 - All of the budgeting, planning, creating, and collaborating that we do together is for the purpose of communicating a simple message that makes someone feel a certain way. At its core, this is an essential aspect of the human experience. 

2 - Collaborating with people that you trust and respect is the most valuable part of any project.

I currently live in Los Angeles and explore the outdoors often, always looking out for cool birds to identify. Lately, I’ve been serving my community by producing monthly intentional listening experiences using meditative tools to bring people together in a meaningful and social way.