OUR STORY

SD Media Pros represents a long history of video production professionals. Here’s a short walk down memory lane to help you recognize your involvement in an organization with a proven track record.

It starts with… the International Television Association. ITVA was founded in 1968 as an early “user group” to support a new industry of video professionals. Corporate video became possible with pros delivering their company message on small format Beta and VHS videotape. In the days immediately before the internet, many a salesman carried small portable VHS TV players to relay the company message and impress their customers.  “If they have this level of technology, they must be a good company,” was the universal thinking of the time.

As time marched along, ITVA members realized they were now operating in the ever-expanding media age. The name Media Communications Association – International was coined, and the numerous chapters across the country and around the world embraced and adapted to the meteoric changes in the video production business.

The San Diego chapter was founded in 1978, primarily by Dempsey Copeland, who headed the corporate video department at Solar Turbines here in San Diego. The membership grew, and not unlike ourselves, was populated by people looking to learn more about the technology and business of video/media production. To name drop, Dempsey stayed involved through 1983 with others through the years: Dennis Cogan, Bill Snead (who went on to head the media department of Grossmont Junior College), Debbie Schlict (Rohr Industries), Peter Oliver, and George Head. Through the 90s, Connie Terwilliger nearly single-handedly held the organization together till Jim Staylor, Mark Schulze and Craig Bentley filled out the board through the early 2000s.

Now in the turn of the 21st century, a good ten years into the internet age, MCA-I went through a rebirth with help from Jim Staylor, Phil Ferrari, Luke Jungers, Raegan Matthews, Brent Altomare, Martin Banks and many more. Craig Bentley served as president for many of the years leading up to 2012, along with Mark Schulze and Jeff Gelder.

By 2012 the organization met with another need for a major refresh. The industry was again changing at an exponential rate. Media tools spread to the desktop with DVCAM and non-linear editing. The requirement to hire a production studio for shooting or editing on 1 inch or BetaCAM lapsed into history. CD and DVD delivery gave way to digital/internet distribution.  Everyone consumed corporate video via their computer. The ‘Video Producer’ was now fully the ‘Media Producer.’ 

San Diego’s MCA-I chapter was already using the catch phase of, “Go with the Media Pros.” So a rebranding effort was undertaken by Tom Kihneman, Michael Brueggemeyer, Mike Towe, Marianne Bates and others. Craig Bentley, Brent Altomare and Jeff Gelder were there to help usher in the transformation to SDMediaPro.org.

Still a chapter of MCA-I, SD Media Pros was connected to the national organization. In 2013, Michael Brueggemeyer attended the annual international meeting held in conjunction with NAB in Las Vegas. At that time, the easier-to-understand and localized SDMediaPros.org caught on to a new generation of media professionals and realized a new surge in growth. 

Monthly meetings, special social events, and Media Pro Camp have created an ever-expanding membership. The monthly newsletter is a stalwart in connecting everyone.

One final update in status occurred in 2016. As another sign of the times, the national organization of MCA-I was forced to dissolve. The very active chapter in San Diego was able to immediately create its own 501(C)(3) non-profit association. Two people stand out in that transition: Sandra Buehner and Robin Martin. Sandra managed the paperwork, and Robin Martin established ‘Wild Apricot’ as the member portal.

In 2023, the organization decided to rebrand. The logo embodies the essence of San Diego with its sun-kissed beaches, the deep blue ocean, and the energetic yet relaxed atmosphere. With vibrant new colors and a sleek, modern design, the logo represents the organization’s dedication to innovation and quality in media production.

Today, SD Media Pros continues to reach out, creating community for the education and establishment of media professionals throughout San Diego County.

Curated by Past President Tom Kihneman in 2020