John Clinton
Like any creator, I love making stuff. I've spent my career (and much of my personal life) producing videos, music, web experiences, photography, events, and many other forms of media. I've worked with both super tight budgets and on projects that cost millions, led both skeleton crews and teams with hundreds of people, from programmatic content to ad spots to special events. I've done a bit of everything and always make the gig happen with a keen eye for logistics and natural ability to manage the budget. I'm at my best when leading a team of creatives, setting up production operations, and championing new ideas. I've primarily been in the VP/Executive Producer seat more recently but still love getting my hands dirty on productions as needed.
Below is an overview of my broad creative portfolio including both digital and broadcast experience. Many more available upon request! You can reach me at johnnie.clinton@gmail.com and find me on LinkedIn.
Digital Media Production
Executive Brand & Social Content
Oversaw team producing creative and developing messaging for the 57th Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul. Translated communications goals into digital content and programming strategies.
​
Established vision, creative direction, and run of show for governor's 2025 State of the State address - including two brand videos, music and dance performances, and a host of thematic pageantry: Governor Hochul Delivers 2025 State of the State
​
Other notable: Ask the Gov Digital Series (Development, EP, Producer), Hold Harmless Explained (EP, Producer), Gov. Kathy Hochul in Conversation with Astronaut Dr. Jeannette Epps (EP, Producer)
​
Various content collections can be found on Governor Kathy Hochul's Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube channels.
Corporate Brand & Social Content
Conceptualized and produced catchy digital content to drive brand awareness and engagement across all social platforms.
​
Collaborated with Maryland Zoo to feature real penguins in A Real Penguin's "Internship" at Penguin Random House (EP, Writer, Producer, Audio) which generated 100+ media hits, collected millions of cross-platform views, and raised the bar for PRH social engagement.
Other notable: Quickie Books (EP, Producer), Bird Box Challenge - Reading Edition (EP, Performer), Black Mirror with Books (EP), People Try Books for the First Time (EP), The Struggles of Reading in an Apartment (EP), Designing a Book Cover (EP)
Series Development & Distribution
Collaborated with internal and external personnel to workshop, develop, launch, refine, and (when necessary) retire digital series.
Launched Brightly Storytime (EP, Writer, Producer, Editor) YouTube channel featuring picture book read aloud videos with 37M views and 136k subscribers (as of Dec 2022). Pitched and secured 6-figure funding from Facebook for comedy debate series The Great Fantasy Debate (EP).
Other notable: Judge a Book (EP, Producer, Editor), Kick Ass Characters (EP), Fiction to Fashion (EP), Six Picks (EP, Producer, Editor), Signature Views Mini-Docs (EP), Random Recs (EP), Book Hacks (EP), Inside the Book (EP, Producer, Editor)
Virtual Event Production & Direction
Determined programming and technical elements, worked with talent, and orchestrated distribution for huge variety of virtual events on a multitude of digital platforms.
​
Executive Producer on Governor Hochul in Conversation with NASA Astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps co-produced with NASA and featuring a live conversation between Albany, NY and the International Space Station.
Other notable: A Conversation with George R. R. Martin (Executive Producer), A Promised Land Book Discussion with President Barack Obama (Director, Technical Director), An Outlander Celebration with Diana Gabaldon (Technical Director), Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton Discuss Grandma's Garden (Director, Technical Director), A Virtual Evening with Jim Carrey & Dana Vachon (Director, Technical Director), John Grisham and Stephen King in Conversation (Director, Technical Director), Brightly Storytime Live! (EP, Producer, Director, Technical Director)
Product & Lifestyle Photography
Setup and operated photography studio system to collaborate with hundreds of creators in producing tens of thousands of photo assets ranging from high-end product and lifestyle imagery to headshots and event coverage to basic and efficient social media shots.
​
Orchestrated collaboration between content, design, and photography to establish sustainable photography strategy for PRH Staff Picks, a popular content series showcasing favorite book selections by staff members.
​
More output can be seen across dozens of social media accounts including: Random House, Out of Print, Viking Books, Riverhead Books, Portfolio Books
Web & Campaign Design
Oversaw design team responsible for corporate marketing campaign direction/asset production, UI/UX for PRH.com and ReadBrightly.com (3.4M MUV combined), and custom digital tools for internal marketers.
​
2022 campaign Pride in Your Words (above) featured custom illustrations, digital zine, extensive online advertising, and billboards across the US.
​
Other notable: All Ways Black (Webby Award Winner), The Year in Books, Read to Sleep, Slow Down, Read a Book, I Am La Cultura, Today's Top Books
Independent Production
Conducted hundreds of interviews with authors, musicians, artists, politicians, and more. Regularly produce, shoot, edit, write, record and perform music for freelance video projects. Record, mix, and master music for local bands.
​
Renata Johns and the Music City Hit-Makers (producer, editor) documents a woman's journey from the corporate world to lead an organization fusing country and classical music performance.
​
Other notable: Don & Mary (producer, shooter, editor), Anita & Doug (producer, shooter, editor), Must Be Santa by Part-time Bodyguards (producer, arranger, performer, editor, mixer), Mary by The Cheap Moves (producer, engineer, mixer)
Broadcast Production
TV Event Production Management
Formerly part of key production management team supporting top-tier and tentpole television events at MTV Networks and Fuse Networks.
Notable credits: MTVU Spring Break 2009 in Panama City (Talent Logistics), 2009 Youth Ball Inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. (Crew Logistics), MTV Video Music Awards 2007 in Las Vegas (Press Logistics), MTV Video Music Awards 2005 in Miami (Credentials)
Home Entertainment Production Management
Led production management for MTV's broadcast home entertainment unit. Oversaw $6M in production budgets and on-the-ground logistics for 3-volume Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Fitness DVD leading 200-person crew.
​
Other credits: The Hills Seasons 1-3 DVD (Production Manager), Rob & Big Seasons 1-3 DVD (Production Manager), American Mall DVD (Production Manager), Flavor of Love Season 1 (Production Manager), Wildboyz Seasons 2-3 (Production Manager), Rock Band Video Game (Production Manager)
Studio Production Management
Production Assistant for all studio productions at Fuse Networks including regular series and special events. Supported logistics for all studio-based location shoots.
​
Notable credits: Daily Download (Studio PA), Steven's Untitled Rock Show (Studio PA), Breaking the Record: Red Hot Chili Peppers Live (Studio PA), Comp'd: Green Day Live (Studio PA)