John is a digital content leader with 10+ years of experience in project management, editing, and production. He graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Media and currently resides in Huntington Beach, California. John worked at America’s Funniest Home Videos as a Development Producer, overseeing 400+ hours of original content production and distribution. Now, CEO of Mirage Digital, he drives creative direction and cross-functional collaboration working with major creators, influencers and brands across a variety of niches. John brings hands-on expertise in developing and scaling content from concept to screen. At Mirage, he works hand in hand with team members to bridge the gap between the creator economy and the traditional TV viewing experience. Mirage focuses on finding creators new revenue streams by expanding their digital footprint in areas they haven’t yet explored. In 2025, Mirage launched the Team Liquid FAST Channel streaming live 24/7 on Roku and SamsungTV Plus. This channel is the first of its kind and offers this incredible E-Sports organization an “always on” digital billboard showcasing their incredible content library and LIVE events like Race To World First. Since launch, the channel has garnered 41 million watch minutes! From Snapchat to Original TV shows, John and his team are actively unlocking premium opportunities and making a drastic impact in what it means to be a creator in the constantly evolving digital landscape.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

I’m thrilled to join the Telly Awards council and be part of such an incredible group of executives, creatives, and thought leaders. What excites me most is the opportunity to see a wide range of work across multiple formats and platforms, and to be in a position to celebrate creativity at that level.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

A new FAST channel that premieres in Spring 2026! Mirage partnered with an incredible creator brand and production company to bring this channel to life. It is the first of its kind and is bound to turn heads in the streaming space!

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

Change. Platforms, audience engagement and monetization models are constantly changing. I’m lucky to have an incredible team that knows how to adapt quickly to these changes and find ways to optimize performance.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

As CEO of Mirage Digital, I lead our creative strategy, content production, and distribution across a range of digital platforms and networks. A big part of my role is guiding teams to develop engaging content while also identifying new opportunities for growth, monetization, and expansion.

What I love most is building systems that help creators and teams bring ideas to life quickly and at scale. There’s nothing better than seeing something go from concept to reaching millions of people around the world.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Right now I’m focused on building scalable digital content ecosystems. Our team is developing creator-driven shows and publishing networks that distribute across social and OTT. What excites me most is the ability to work directly with creators to reach a wide range of audiences while uncovering untapped revenue.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

An All-Hands brainstorm meeting. Getting the entire team together to chat through new concepts, industry shifts, and trends is crucial for sparking elite ideas. Creating an environment where everyone can be heard is important for team building.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I’ve always been passionate about digital content. As platforms evolved, it became clear that creators and digital publishers were reshaping how entertainment is produced and distributed. Being part of that shift and helping build scalable content for modern platforms is what continues to inspire me, along with the opportunity to bring ideas to life and connect with audiences in new and meaningful ways.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

Currently, we’re seeing the lines blur between the Creator Economy and the traditional TV viewing experience. Creators are building audiences that rival traditional networks, while studios and platforms are adopting creator-first strategies and formats.

To navigate this shift, it’s important to think less about format and more about audience. The most successful content today is built with a deep understanding of how and where people are watching, and it’s designed to meet them there. It also means being more agile, testing quickly, and not being afraid to take creative risks. The opportunity is in bridging both worlds by combining the authenticity and speed of creators with the scale and structure of traditional media.