Turning Culture
into Commerce
I design the ecosystems where creative vision meets scalable infrastructure—transforming audience engagement into revenue.
Kevin Mangini
Strategic Marketing & Brand Innovation
Executive Profile
I operate as a catalyst inside complex ecosystems, building new frameworks that connect creative storytelling with commercial performance. My focus is on driving revenue and relevance at scale.
With 25+ years of leadership inside major media and entertainment companies, I specialize in navigating ambiguity and delivering integrated strategies that modernize brands without losing their core identity.
I build platforms, not just campaigns. From MTV and Warner Bros. to NewsNation and GivingWorks Studio, my work defines the intersection of content, culture, and commerce.
I bring the judgment of an executive, the agility of a builder, and the pattern recognition to turn disruption into growth.
Multi-Platform
Ecosystems Built
$100M+
Revenue Generated
Storytelling That Scales. The Performance of Giving.
A media and storytelling platform focused on fundraising, impact, and institutional engagement for universities and mission-driven organizations.
As rising costs and technological disruption challenge the future of higher education, GivingWorks Studio serves as a content engine and conversation platform. Through our podcast series, Studio Sessions, we document the innovators and ideas that are successfully navigating this shift—using entertainment storytelling to illuminate the path forward for fundraising and institutional growth.
$600M+ Raised for Tuition and Education Resources
Selected Works
A curated collection of ecosystem-defining projects across media, entertainment, and philanthropy.
Project Index
Advance Warning
Created and produced MTV's first global sponsorship: an original series in partnership with McDonald's. The program aired globally on MTV, reaching over 400 million homes, and blended documentary storytelling with live performance to showcase emerging artists.
400M
Homes Reached
Global
Distribution
Every Simpsons Ever Marathon
Led the team in creating 600+ images and manned a 12-day, 24-hour social media engagement plan for the historic marathon. Delivered huge social media audiences and incredible ratings for FXX.
12
Day Marathon
Record
Engagement
Warner Bros. Branded Content
Developed original branded content IP and produced innovative branded formats, including '120 Seconds,' 'Video in Action (VIA),' 'Take The Wheel,' 'Play That Back,' and 'The Ask Hole.' These pilots were strategically created to unlock new streams of brand revenue.
5+
Formats Created
New
Revenue Streams
The Birth of NewsNation
Led the market introduction of a new cable news network, presenting NewsNation to advertisers through high-impact Upfront presentations, thought leadership podcasts, exclusive client events, and strategic trade marketing campaigns.
Upfront
Presentation Strategy
Advertiser
Events & Activation
Integrated Business Development
Orchestrated a holistic B2B strategy combining thought leadership storytelling, high-impact trade marketing, and exclusive client hospitality (e.g., Blue Hill at Stone Barns). Developed premium branded merchandise and immersive events to deepen relationships and drive revenue.
Holistic
B2B Strategy
Premium
Brand Experience
Jackass Franchise
Partnered with Jackass creators across music, TV, film, and advertising. Led integrated campaigns including movie launches, soundtracks, MTV specials, and a Nintendo commercial.
$500M+
Box Office
Global
Cultural Icon
WellStone x Rocket City Trash Pandas
Orchestrated a strategic partnership between WellStone, the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the O'Shea Family Foundation, and Team Ayuda to destigmatize mental health. By leveraging the team's cultural platform, we transformed a profound loss into a community-wide movement, raising funds and awareness through the 'You Make the Call Night' and the viral 60/80 Pitch Challenge.
$80K+
Raised
8,000
Spectators
WGN America Original Series Integrations
Produced multi-platform advertiser integrations for WGN America's original series, including Manhattan, Underground, and Outsiders. These campaigns extended high-value promotions across social and digital channels to maximize reach and engagement for brand partners like GEICO, Ancestry, and Carl's Jr.
3
Major Series
Digital
Reach
WGN Movies for America
Created and launched a hosted movie series integrating brand messaging into 60+ films, driving multimillion-dollar ad revenue.
60+
Films Integrated
Multi-M
Revenue
Journey to Live Earth
Produced the documentary for the largest global entertainment event in history, reaching 2 billion people. Personally interviewed Former Vice President Al Gore for the film, capturing his vision for the global climate movement.
2B
Audience
7
Continents
Missy Higgins Takes The Wheel
Conceptualized and produced a pilot documentary series blending live performances with sustainability storytelling across the US.
Pilot
Series
Eco
Initiative
MTV2 Headbangers Ball
Partnered with Roadrunner Records and Majesco’s BloodRayne 2 to integrate a compilation CD, tour, and TV special, creating a seamless music-gaming experience.
- •Integrated Compilation CD, Tour, TV Special, and Video Game
- •Exclusive BloodRayne 2 Game Link on Disc
- •Closed Major Ad Deal & Gold Certified Album
- •Seamless Music-Gaming Cross-Promotion
Gold
Certified
MTV Integration
CD and Video Game
MTV/Def Jam Contest
Pitched and produced a multi-platform contest, CD release, and TV special featuring Def Jam stars. Contest winner Shyla Palm from Maryland won $25,000, appeared on MTV, and received an Executive Producer credit.
TV Special
Def Jam Uncensored
National
Commercial Series
Early Foundations in Sportswriting
My career began on the sports desk at The Bridgeport Post, covering high school football and hockey under daily deadline. It was my first exposure to the discipline of sports storytelling—understanding locker room dynamics, coaching philosophy, momentum swings, and how narrative builds community identity.
Daily
Deadline Writing
Sports
Desk Origins
DMX Debut Album Promotion
Developed a groundbreaking marketing concept for DMX's debut album, designing a limited-edition bonus disc featuring the exclusive LL Cool J song "The Ripper Strikes Back" that drove pre-orders and secured a No. 1 Billboard debut.
No. 1
Billboard Debut
Template
Industry Standard
MTV My Mix Tape
Curating Stories Through Music. Created and produced this XM Radio series where artists like Dave Grohl, Outkast, Vanessa Carlton, and Blink-182 shared personal stories and favorite tracks. This project celebrated the art of storytelling through music, blending artist narratives with curated playlists, and setting the stage for modern streaming-era concepts.
XM Radio
Series
A-List
Talent
MTV2 Album Covers
Innovation in Music Marketing. Spearheaded MTV's first-ever digital music releases with MTV2 Album Covers. Partnered with iTunes to debut exclusive concert recordings, showcasing artists Dashboard Confessional and Guster. This forward-thinking initiative bridged live music and digital distribution.
First
Digital Release
iTunes
Partnership
Music Production & Discography
Executive produced a diverse library of compilation albums and movie soundtracks, including the MTV Unplugged series and iconic franchise releases for Headbangers Ball, Yo! MTV Raps, and Total Request Live. Also created 'MTV: The First 1000 Years' with Rhino Records—a tongue-in-cheek 4-CD series celebrating the network's musical heritage.
Multi-Plat
Sales
Iconic
Franchises
MTV2 Handpicked Vol. 1
The best of the underground, curated for the screen. An extension of the TV series that championed indie rock and alternative sounds before they broke mainstream.
MTV2 Handpicked Vol. 2
The sequel to the cult favorite. More deep cuts, more future hits, and another snapshot of the music that defined the MTV2 era.
Coach Carter (Music from the Motion Picture)
The soundtrack for the hit film starring Samuel L. Jackson. Featuring tracks from Kanye West, Twista, and Faith Evans, this collection captured the grit and glory of the Richmond High Oilers.
Jay-Z / Linkin Park - Collision Course
A groundbreaking mashup event that became a multi-platinum phenomenon. Two giants, one stage, and an album that topped the charts worldwide.
MTV
The First 1000 Years: A tongue-in-cheek 4-CD series celebrating the dawn of a new millennium for a network that was barely legal. This collection captures the explosive rise of the music that defined the video age—from the synth-pop revolution to the golden era of hip hop.
Yo! MTV Raps (Compilation)
The show that brought the streets to the screen. This compilation captures the golden era flow and the revolutionary energy that made Yo! MTV Raps a global cultural force.
MTV Road Rules
Don't Make Me Pull This Thing Over, Vol. 1: A definitive 'who's who' of the 2002 Emo and Punk-Pop scene. Featuring The Used, Thursday, and Dashboard Confessional, this soundtrack captured the angst and energy of a generation, proving MTV's ability to break the next wave of rock bands.
Core Capabilities
Bridging the gap between creative vision and commercial reality.
Ecosystem Architecture
Building the integrated infrastructure—content, events, partnerships—that turns a standalone product into a self-sustaining cultural ecosystem.
Franchise Development
Scaling IP from niche concepts to global brands. Identifying the 'hook' that transcends borders and demographics.
Strategic Storytelling
Crafting narratives that don't just sell a product, but define a category. Positioning brands as thought leaders in their space.