News

Mullen announced today that Keith Johnston has joined the agency in the newly-created position of vice president, director of integrated production, a strategic investment by the company to enhance its creative development capability across new and established media platforms. Johnston has joined Mullen as the agency redefines its production capability, expanding resources, working in multiple formats and creating seamless integration between what has traditionally been deemed offline and online production.

Johnston is an award-winning creative director with an extensive background in broadcast production, CGI direction and 3D animation. He will help Mullen execute Web TV, online video, animation and other non-traditional digital ideas identifying the most cost efficient ways to produce work, enlightening brand creative teams to new capabilities in online media and augmenting the depth of Mullen’s general broadcast production group.

“Keith is just one more way we’re building a creative department for the future,” said Edward Boches, chief creative officer of Mullen. “His skill and experience will enable us to expand our digital production, build an in-house animation group and, most importantly, help expand creative teams’ definitions of what’s possible.”

“Forward-thinking agencies are threading together their diverse creative and production capabilities into holistic branding solutions for clients,” said Johnston. “The essence of this position is to provide vision and hands-on guidance for every Mullen brand team as they bridge established and emerging channels to create compelling, effective communications programs.”

Johnston comes to Mullen most recently from Concrete Pictures in Philadelphia, where he was creative director and led broadcast production efforts for ABC Sports and Comcast. Previously, he was CGI Director at GTN in Oak Park, Michigan and Studio Chief at The Underground World in Detroit. While at GTN, Johnston directed the creation of General Motors’ first photorealistic virtual automobile fleet for print and broadcast. He has provided digital design and production services to numerous high-profile brands including Mack Truck, Volvo Truck, New Balance, Gillette, Subaru and Daimler Chrysler.

Johnston, who has worked in broadcast production for The Discovery Channel and WGBH-TV/PBS, is the winner of three New England Emmy awards. He has been professor of visual effects at the Savannah College of Art and Design, an adjunct professor at Northeastern University and a guest lecturer at both MIT and Harvard.