Pam Rucinski is co-owner of Rucinski & Reetz Communication. She and business partner Susan Reetz have taken leadership roles in MCA-I at both a chapter and national level. Pam has won many local, state, and national awards, including two recent Telly awards. Pam has also served on numerous award panels including the Blue Ribbon Judging Panel for MCA-I. She was the 2006 GWMCA-I member of the year and workshop presenter at the MCA-I conference in Las Vegas. There’s one more thing most of her MCA-I friends know - she loves to dance!
What do you do?
My mom asks me that all the time! I’m primarily a writer for print, video and the web.
It’s an exciting time for us content and video professionals because Google is smitten with video and pictures. Websites are no longer brochures but Google magnets filled with content, images and video. It is SEO all the way, baby! And guess what? They need people like us to create the content.
How long have you worked in this field?
About 25 years – I guess you could say I’m a seasoned professional.
What types of projects do you work on?
Wowser! Thinking back I’ve probably hit just about everything – medical, technical, industrial, fundraising program for a new national television network, product rollouts, training, television spots, documentaries, mega three-screen tradeshow, digital displays, training and many web programs. Also, a co-writer and I submitted two scripts to the Sundance Film Institute. They will pick finalist in August 2010. (A big dream – cross your fingers!)
In your opinion, how does technology affect our creative opportunities?
Opportunities are huge! Getting the work is partly about helping clients see the vision for what they can do with video to increase their business. Video is a multi-purpose opportunity for our customers to increase their web footprint. Give them the vision and we get the gigs!
What was the most rewarding project you've worked on and what made it so rewarding?
Our company is big on doing what we can do to make a difference in the world. We’ve produced a number of non-profit programs on gangs, drugs and health related issues. We recently completed a project for United Way and plan to do a documentary for a historical society next summer. We’re also assisting UniGlobe Entertainment with securing sponsors for a docu-drama on breast cancer called “1 a Minute,” which will play in 450 theaters in October 2010. It features Melissa Ethridge, Olivia Newton John, Baldwin brothers, Jaclyn Smith…http://www.uniglobeentertainment.com/
What was your most challenging project?
Most challenging was writing a mega-rush script while on location in Blackburn, England. I just managed to stay ahead of the crew!
How did you handle it?
Almost no sleep and a production crew that kept me laughing!
Is there a role model or mentor who has impacted your career choice?
I don’t have to think much on this one! The first production company I worked for was a small upstart with an immensely talented owner. He encouraged me to take chances – think creatively and not be afraid to make mistakes. He trusted me enough to keep me involved in all areas of the production process from sales to writing, producing, directing and project managing. I’m a more confident writer today because of those early days in my career. And one more thing…he taught me to dream big! Thanks Mark J! (Guess I should send this to him – pay it forward and send a thanks to your role model or mentor too.)
What role does MCA-I play in your career? Why do you remain involved?
I love MCA-I and all our friends in it!! There is not one thing I can point to that helped us more as a young company than MCA-I. Even though we’re an established company, we’re still learning through the programs and connections we’ve made through MCA-I.
Any advice for people coming into our industry?
Walk, run, take a boat, ride a yak…just get to the nearest webinar, seminar, bookstore or library and learn what you can about the power of video for web marketing. Be the consultant they need for your production services. It is the well that won’t run dry for a long time!
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