Amusement Park Entertainment

NEWS

May 14

Jimmy Smith, The 100 Most Creative People, 2012
by Fast Company

May 8

Jimmy Smith, The Real-Life Mad Men Of 2012
by Forbes Magazine

AMUSEMENT PARK ENTERTAINMENT
IS A STUDIO THAT SPECIALIZES IN
INVENTIVE TRANSMEDIA STORYTELLING.

AMUSEMENT PARK ENTERTAINMENT WAS FORMED AS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY IPG
AND AN EXTREMELY TALENTED GROUP OF ARTISTS, WRITERS, PRODUCERS AND TECH HEADS LEAD BY JIMMY SMITH.

360°

Context
Brands
Technology
Consumers

WE ARE NOT AN ADVERTISING AGENCY.

Think of us as a manufacturer of creative content, business models and branded relationships across multiple platforms.

The collective experience of our team is heavily rooted in sports, art, entertainment and emerging culture. From 20+ years of working with dominant brands like Nike, Pepsi and Gatorade to cultivating partnerships with the most influential celebrities, Amusement Park is uniquely positioned to pioneer new territory in an ever-changing industry.

Amusement Park Entertainment is in the business of creating 360º brand experiences through
storytelling and compelling interactive technology.

JIMMY SMITH

Chairman, CEO/CCO

Jimmy has earned countless awards for his work as a Writer and Creative Director for Nike at Wieden + Kennedy, Executive Creative Director at BBDO and most recently, Gatorade’s Group Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA. As GCD at TBWA\Chiat\Day, Jimmy oversaw the creation of Gatorade Replay, which gave decades-old, high school sports teams a chance to relive their glory days. Jimmy also spearheaded the transformation of the Gatorade brand to “G,” and was voted as Fast Company’s 100 most creative people in business in 2012.

Say hello at jimmy@amusementparkent.com
DONNA LAMAR

Partner and Director of Creative + Development

Donna was the former Head of Production at Nike’s creative agency, Wieden + Kennedy in Amsterdam before transitioning to creative. She earned the award for ADColor Creative Woman of the Year in 2011, and previously served as Gatorade’s Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA. Donna is recognized as an essential component to the creation and success of Gatorade Replay and the rebranding of Gatorade to “G”.

Say hello at donna@amusementparkent.com
BOBBY WARE

Partner and CFO

Bobby is the former Commissioner of Transportation for the City of Chicago where he had oversight responsibility for a budget in excess of 750 million dollars. Prior to his tenure with the Chicago Department of Transportation, he served as a partner at Jones, Ware & Grenard, one of the largest minority owned law firms in the country. Bobby is also the executive producer for the graphic novel, The Truth.

Say hello at bobby@amusementparkent.com
ROBERTO GRANDE

Partner and Director of Account Management

Roberto has more than 10 years of experience in technology transactions, digital distribution and mobile entertainment. As a former New York Partner of Law Firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal’s Global Tech Transactions Practice, Roberto has experience working across all digital platforms with specific expertise in rights acquisition and monetizing mobile and digital formats.

Say hello at roberto@amusementparkent.com
SMOKE

Manager Creative Services

Smoke is a graduate of Michigan State University. Her last job outside the home was in accounting. For the last 18 years, she’s been a homemaker raising two incredible sons. Nothing’s changed much since she began working at Amusement Park. It’s just an extended family for her and another household that she enjoys taking care of.

Say hello at smoke@amusementparkent.com
JIM DARLING

Director of Visual Arts

Jim’s a family man and artist in addition to being the Director of Visual Arts in the Amusement Park family. His gallery work ranges from intricate ink drawings to layered woodwork with illustrative painted skins. Outside, Jim expands his toolset by including found objects and materials. His subject matter lives between play and real. Large issues are often looked at in simplistic terms and are then juxtaposed by intense detail.

Say hello at darling@amusementparkent.com
DOUG
ALVES

Associate Creative Director

Doug, a Brazilian-born artist, has some heavy weight commissions under his belt. With published work in over thirty books and magazines, Doug has lent his creative expertise to mega-brands such as: Adidas, Gatorade, and Adobe. Most recently, Doug was awarded as one of the top 10 illustrators in the world by DPI Magazine. Doug's work is full of passion and vibrancy and his intricately crafted pen and ink drawings, collages, and computer compositions play with the themes of nature and make believe.

Say hello at doug@amusementparkent.com
ROB HEPPLER

Senior Writer

Former Hypebeast Blogger and currently blogging for TheHundreds.com, Rob is a pillar in the streetwear community. He founded the first street culture radio show, “Weekly Drop.” He's also the creator of the “Lobster” Nike SB Dunk and the Coraline Dunk. Rob made the jump to advertising after graduating from the prestigious WK12 Program at Wieden + Kennedy. Rob’s favorite personal achievements include Baconorbeercan.com and his 13-year-old daughter, Sierra.

Say hello at rob@amusementparkent.com
JEROME DAUGHTREY

(aka Romey-Rome aka Ace-$) Writer

Jerome is a linguistic enthusiast and student of life. As an up-and-coming writer, he follows a simple life-to-career philosophy: "All you'll ever need is Hope & Hustle." Fueled by his passion to glorify Jesus Christ, he refuses to be outworked. -Colossians 3:23

Say hello at jerome@amusementparkent.com
JON MARSHALL

Graphic Designer

Jon is from Shelbyville, a small town in Kentucky. He attended Western Kentucky University where he also played football. He often refers to himself as a young John Nash (aka a beautiful mind).

Say hello at jon@amusementparkent.com
POETRI

Senior Writer

Poetri is a Tony Award winning poet who is a firm believer in Christ. Throughout his career he has written commercials for clients such as Nike, NFL Films, BET and Delta. He can also be seen in the movies “Blades of Glory” and “Yes Man,” and has appeared on television in “House of Payne” and “Bones”.

Say hello at poetri@amusementparkent.com
CHRISTINA OKUBO

Senior Creative Strategist

Christina is a creative strategist who specializes in working with fashion and retail brands. She’s fused her unique experience through her work with American Apparel, Wieden + Kennedy (for clients such as Levi’s, Target and Nike), as well as independent apparel and accessory brands. She loves art, design, architecture, traveling and snowboarding. She is bi-cultural, multilingual and is a published photographer.

Say hello at christina@amusementparkent.com
DEIRDRE SMITH

Writer

Deirdre comes to Amusement Park with experience as a singer, actress, writer, producer, director, choreographer and casting director. She’s worked with the likes of Madonna, The Black Eyed Peas, Rosario Dawson, Quest Love, Bootsy Collins, Jabbawockeez and 107 young performers (at one time) for the City of L.A. And she has worked with top brands like Gatorade and Nike. In her "“free” time, she runs a performing arts nonprofit, Peace Quest, Inc.

Say hello at dee@amusementparkent.com
ESTHER
KIM

Interactive Designer

Esther came to L.A. from Dallas, TX. to work in the fields of special effects and motion graphics but became enraptured by the erratic life of advertising. Since then, she’s been riding the roller coaster from graphics and motion to potions and everything else she can get her inconspicuous self into.

Say hello at esther@amusementparkent.com
JESSICA WILLIS

The Intern

Armed with two suitcases, a backpack, one tattered copy of The Alchemist –and no plan, Jessica embarked on a one-way flight across country to the City of Angels. After showing up at the doors of Amusement Park to introduce herself to the team, she somehow managed to bogart her way into working on a project — proof that, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Say hello at jessica@amusementparkent.com