The Midwest’s biggest single provider of production and satellite services is a new entity formed through a strategic partnership of RingSide Creative, Jeff Moon Production Services (JMPS), which includes Moon-owned Moonlink Satellite.
By the three companies pooling their talent and resources for the new venture under one roof, “We can give our clients a more well-rounded approach to service all their needs,” says Jeff Moon, CEO of 23-year old JMPS and its 12-year Moonlink Satellite division.
Broadcasting veteran Robin Tracey leads the new Moonlink Studios company. She came over from Grace & Wild and previously had been an executive producer and director for Fox Broadcasting’s Detroit studios, “so I know what broadcasters needs are,” she says.
She is also president of the Detroit chapter of NATAS.
“I’m thrilled to be able to create the largest and most experienced production service in this town,” Tracey says. “We have the best staff, award-winning producer/directors and tech and audio experts and we going 100 miles an hour.”
Moonlink Studios has a staff of nine: Mike Burke, director of engineering; Tony Leja, senior digital imaging tech, both also from Grace & Wild; project manager Sarah Smith; video techs Tony D’Annunzio and Chris Thorn, and production equipment coordinator Vaughn Meate, two interns and 20-30 independent contractors.
Moonlink Studios is headquartered within RingSide Creative’s Oak Park headquarters, where it provides production services, including its 8,000-sq. ft. Combermere Stage in Troy. There are three live studios operating in Detroit, Oak Park and Warren, with an Ann Arbor studio opening later this month.
The JMPS and Moonlink Satellite side provide full gamut of HD video production and support, plus Mooonlink four satellite trucks with C-band/KU-band, HD and SD capabilities, for uplink/downlink services at any location, primarily covering the Midwest and Eastern half of the United States.
Services include multiple HD camera packages, technical expertise, ENG live shot packages, crews, multi-cam systems and more.
Last April, Chicago-based Cutters purchased RingSide Creative in partnership with Detroit’s Steven Wild’s Wild Acquisitions and Brian Efrusy of RingSide, the company’s CEO, and Doug Cheek, RingSide’s founder and former CEO, who has remained with the company in an executive position.
Cutters Detroit opened in July with offices in the RingSide Creative building.
Robin Tracey’s Email: rtracey@ringsidecreative.com
