follow me on twitter kentspeakman

How do you spend your day? (aka what's your job?)

At a very young age Kent Speakman knew he had a future in production. After completing the Television and Radio Communications program while in High School and receiving government grants for the nations first test program, he had found his passion.

In 1998 Kent Speakman started working as an Associate Producer on a comedy series for Canadian series called “How Bout Not’ while attending NAIT – focusing on Marketing and Communications. From there he had the chance to work on and off as a consultant for Independent films such as “Halo” and “Boxing with God”.

In 2002 he created Speakman Entertainment and Executive Produced a self help dating advice video series “Girls Give It Up” which was distributed across North America. Speakman oversaw and managed the online marketing initiatives for the series as well as cutting his teeth as an EP.

Kent had the opportunity to be both behind and in front of the camera - co-hosting an entertainment segment for “Eye on Entertainment”, Starring in Films “the Service – 2009” and “Collective – 2009” as well as being a spokesperson for the non-profits Africa We Care and Project Smile.

His prior experience as the VP of an interactive advertising agency included overseeing a wide range of projects in the entertainment industry and he has built a strong foundation of knowledge for online and interactive trends. He brings promotion & marketing experience in the Entertainment industry: Setting up media campaigns, creating search and display campaigns. Overseeing the creation of IA – wireframes and creative platforms for projects, E-commerce, content, and all legalities involved with projects. His production background includes: Setting schedules and co-ordination of locations, costume and Scripting, handling all paperwork for legal such as contracts, location releases, negotiation of costs relating to locations and props, Co ordination of cast and crew for all scenes, working with actors’ agencies for talent recruitment and scouting.

Kent is an award-winning online strategist, social media consultant, blogger, and speaker. He still actively consults and works closely with the international digital agency Rare Method.

In 2009 Speakman competed in a presentation for television marketing at the iMedia Entertainment Marketing Summit in Los Angeles. Disney, Showtime and the Hallmark Channel awarded him with the winning presentation in front of 160 studio and network executives.

What's your hometown?

Calgary

Favorite activities?

German and British Cars, Fine dining, good wines, traveling, ski and snowboard, watersports, baseball, hockey, fitness and continued self learning.

Spirituality?

I have studied many different religions and there are great things to be learned from them all. Judaism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Muslim, and Native Cultures from around the world all have great things that we can benefit from, and when you take the time to study and understand the core philosophies of each, it is interesting to see the commonalities, or synergies within them all.

Years ago I read the Celestine Prophecy, followed by the rest of the books in the series by James Redfield. I highly recommend these books if you haven’t read them before and some lessons are fairly aligned with Keith’s teachings (especially about understanding what your purpose in life is)

What's your long-term goal? If you don't know yet, that's OK!

Getting to a place in my life where I am consistently helping others become more successful and see their goals come alive. Working in the Creative/Agency/Entertainment environment, adding tremendous value to both the projects and the clients to start, and then moving to a place where I can inspire the Audience at a greater capacity.

Achieving our long-term goals involves a lot of baby steps. What goal are you working toward right now?

-Attracting and bringing on new entertainment clients for our agency
-Learning new technologies and online strategies
-Taking my self help DVD series and moving it into a TV series format
-Financing and Executive Producing a major 3d motion picture with a great group of people.
-Producing the other new TV series I am working on with a great team of people, and getting it picked up nationally.
-Creating a documentary on philanthropy and the "regular" people who do phenomenal things.
-Building a good personal "board of directors" or mentors
-Helping people reach their personal goals.
-Recently, I started acting again and am really enjoying it. My goal is to see how far I can take it, but I really enjoy the producing side of the business.

How would you like KF community members help you achieve this goal?

Encouragement, Advice, Referrals, Information

We ask that each member makes a pledge to the community: What help can you offer to your fellow members?

I have a very extensive network of people across Canada and the USA in a variety of industries and disciplines. If you need to connect with someone I will help put you in touch with the person who can be of help, and if its me, I will do my best as well.

As the Director of Business Development at Rare Method I have access to an extensive team that can help organizations with online media, web development, social media, strategic planning, television, print and radio as well as campaign development across all integrated platforms. Please feel free to reach out if I can help you.

If you had to put your personal philosophy on a bumper sticker, what would it be?

Pay it Forward!

If you have an official bio, post it here.

Director of Business Development at Rare Method
February 2009 – Present

As a member of the team at Rare Method I am responsible for working with departmental leads and the executive team to develop new business strategies as well as manage all new business opportunities through direct and indirect channels.

I develop presentations that highlight innovative strategy, award winning design and most importantly business results for our new clients. This is possible through an understanding of the organizations we work with, industry standards and emerging technologies.


V.P. Accounts & Strategy at Suitcase Interactive
December 2006 - February 2009
During my time at Suitcase, I have successfully brought on a variety of accounts & guided the Suitcase team through competitive analysis, research and strategic planning exercises within multiple industries. I also oversee our business development team and am responsible for their sales & account management training.
With a portfolio of clients including Microsoft, EA Sports, Deloitte, Shaw, Superchanel, Pattison, Boeing/Skyhook, The Calgary Zoo, Calgary Police Services, 32 Degrees Capital and the Chandran Media Group I have the ability to manage concurrent multiple priorities as well as working as part of a team and approaching problems from a win-win perspective. I have honed and developed my communication skills with a collaborative approach to problem solving and the ability to both lead and work with a highly skilled, cross-functional team.

Fundraising Director at Project Smile
January 2007 - Present
As a member of the Project Smile team, I help to facilitate our fundraising efforts and events throughout the year. This includes partnership development, sponsorship, event management and public relations initiatives. Project Smile is a not for profit organization that is fully managed and supported by Suitcase Interactive Staff, Clients, friends and partners. Each November, the entire Suitcase staff travels to Mexico to help build feeding centers and bring supplies to the less fortunate children in Mexico.

President & Executive Producer at SE&C - GGIU LTD.
October 1998 - Present
I started working as an Associate Producer on a comedy series for Canadian Broadcast called "How Bout Not'. From there I continued to work part time, on and off, as a consultant (and founded SE&C) for a couple of Independent films being shot in Alberta "Halo", "Boxing with God". In 2002 I began a limited partnership and produced a self help video series which was produced in Calgary, Alberta and distributed across Canada and the USA.
My experience also included directing photo shoots, graphic design, brand management, web and interactive integrated initiatives, newsletters, promotional items, and branded CDs / DVDs.

Managing Partner / Co- Owner at Rum Jungle Hospitality Group
May 2002 - January 2006
I played an integral part in the company's overall management and strategic growth, as well as co-spearheaded its brand development and strategic communications campaigns for a long roster of events and partnerships with clients such as Warner Brothers, Molson, Red Bull, BMG Music, Labatt, DXL Magazine, UMM Magazine, Hawaiian Tropic, Maxim Magazine and ITL Tobacco to name a few..
I was involved in creating or repositioning many or all aspects of these brands on premise campaigns within the partnerships I set up and maintained - including marketing collateral, corporate and internal communications, mission statements and developing ad campaigns for television, radio and print. I also orchestrated a series of successful strategic partnerships throughout Canada and the USA.