My bio:

I suppose it all goes back to when I was a kid, if in fact that phase of my life ever ended. Any time not spent jumping flaming barrels with my BMX bike was spent drawing, writing software for an online bulletin board system I ran on my Apple ][+ computer, and making silly music videos with a guitar, drum machine, video camera and two VHS decks. If only YouTube were around in the 70s and 80s.

The first 10 years of my career revolved around multi-platform corporate communications, B-to-B and consumer advertising. In 1994, I founded Streams, one of Chicago’s first and most successful interactive media design firms. I grew the company to an internationally-respected, award-winning team of 25 serving clients such as Allstate, Sears, Ford, Kimberly-Clark and Playboy. In 2001, several top advertising agencies and technology companies began making bids for my company, which led to me selling Streams to a larger technology consultancy. The next few years were spent integrating the two companies’ teams and processes.

The sale of the company and the birth of my kids inspired me to shift my focus to entertainment and education. In 2002, I started my production company, Eat Your Lunch, funded and produced my first project: a live-action music video and live touring series called Bzots. Thanks to my partners at Entertainment One, Bzots will bow on Nicktoons Network at some time between now and 2011.

This led to a call from Sesame Workshop, who brought me on as Creative Director of Interactive Media. I was responsible for directing the creative development of games and content for the web, interactive TV, console, handheld and mobile devices. Some of the brands I worked with included Sesame Street, Electric Company, Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo.

After leaving Sesame, I returned to developing more of my own original IP. I currently have somewhere around eleven properties in development, including the animated series Derby Girls and Freaky Frankenbike Patrol. Last year saw the production of a short called Zombie Vs. Ballerina and its jaunt through the international film festival circuit, along with the development of several new projects for screens large and small and audiences young and old.

I’m currently infatuated with the iPhone and its development as an entertainment platform. To that end, I’ve created a mixed-media broadcast series and mobile media game called Mitchell & Mr. Crow. I’m currently
readying for release a skill and memory game entitled Glowing, which is based on Maori Poi spinning. My next iPhone projects are an augmented reality property and two industry-targeted applications.

I also help other companies create and develop their original properties. Along those lines, I’ve most recently consulted the folks at Spin Master on a new multi-platform preschool development. American Greetings’ AGProperties hooked me as Executive Producer to develop a really amazing new virtual world called Tinpo, for which I developed the creative and managed its evolution into online, broadcast and consumer products. And Playhouse Disney engaged me as a consulting producer to help develop their Emmy-nominated show Imagination Movers, who if you ask me are the Wiggles’ heirs apparent.

AdAge, Adweek, Animation Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Channel Frederator, Chicago Tribune, Crains, Kidscreen, neo-Bohemia: Art and Commerce in the Post-Industrial City, Print, Screen, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, The World’s Weirdest Web Sites and The People Who Create Them, Time Out, Wired and others have thought enough about me and/or my ideas over the years to have someone interview me and type something up.

I’ve served as a judge for the Chicago International Film Festival, London International Advertising Awards and the Clio Awards. Also been a member of the Advisory Board of the Association for Multimedia Communications and the International Academy of Merchandising & Design, and I’m often engaged to speak about technology and creativity.

When I’m not working or hanging out with the wife and kids, I still play guitar, bass, keys and drums well enough to suck at all of them. I still shoot and edit silly videos too. But now that I’m a resident of Los Angeles, I’m turning my spare-time attentions toward acquiring the requisite Angeleno accessories: a feature screenplay that’s almost done, yoga classes, and a Toyota Prius.

You can see some evidence of my work in my select portfolio and client list, and read glowing recommendations from some of the connections in my LinkedIn profile.

If you're looking for a multi-platform writer, producer, or creative director in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, Toronto, Vancouver, or anywhere else accessible by modern means of transportation or electronic communication, all you must do is:

Contact Dave Skwarczek,
Person With Ideas:

By writing an email to dave @ personwithideas.com or by using the most convenient telephone to dial +1 773-263-5380.

Back to the Home Page