Manager, Electronic Communications, Multnomah Athletic Club
Portland, Oregon Area
- Current
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- Manager, Electronic Communications at Multnomah Athletic Club
- Communication Strategist, Creative Director/Writer & Spokesperson at 1%! [One Percent Inspiration]
- Instructor at Portland State University
- Past
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- Creative Director & Senior Producer at iHealthMedia, HTS Interactive, Multimedia Resources, et al.
- Head of Research Administration at Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures
- Administrative Assistant at Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures
- Education
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- Occidental College
- Portland State University
- Connections
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100
connections
- Industry
- Internet
- Websites
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Summary
Charlie Levenson has 25+ years in commercial media and interactive media development, first in TV commercial & industrial film production, and then as Head of Research Administration for the Motion Picture Creative Group at Touchstone Pictures / Walt Disney Productions. Charlie moved to Portland, Oregon in 1990.
After a stint with Wieden & Kennedy he joined a start-up interactive media company - Multimedia Resources, Inc. Through nine years, four name changes, three owners, and a seven month hiatus (during which he worked as Creative Director for Creative Multimedia Corporation - the first CD-ROM company), he continued to work with MRI as it became HTS Interactive and then iHealthMedia - a division of Landacorp, Inc.
Charlie has worked as a multimedia producer, writer, director, interface designer, information architect, marketing director, and even voice-over talent. During the dot com boom, he built e-business strategies and web sites for health care clients, including managed care companies, provider networks, and hospitals. He held his position as Creative Director and Senior Producer at iHealthMedia.com until their closing in July 2001.
Charlie has instructed in the Multimedia Certification Program, Professional Development Center, School of Extended Studies, Portland State University since 1995. He teaches "Business Strategies for New Media" ("Multimedia 101") as well as "Authoring Digital Media."
In 2003 Charlie began as Web Manager for the highly prestigious and historic Multnomah Athletic Club where he is now Manager of Electronic Communications.
In addition to public speaking on interactive development, communications law, and new media; Charlie deals (well) and plays (badly) at hold-em poker; writes plays, articles, and fiction; occasionally consults on communications; all while pursuing his life-long mission of making the world safer for its users. He lives in a "skinny house" in St. Johns, Oregon with his wife Michelle.
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Specialties:
Branding. Media and Communications strategy. Public speaking. Crisis management. Communications and situational perspective management (spin).
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Experience
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Manager, Electronic Communications
Multnomah Athletic Club
(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)
June 2003 — Present (6 years 6 months)
The Multnomah Athletic Club is a private athletic and social organization with a long history in Portland, Oregon.
My responsibilities cover all electronic member communications, including websites, email lists, and phone systems. -
Communication Strategist, Creative Director/Writer & Spokesperson
1%! [One Percent Inspiration]
(Internet industry)
2001 — Present (8 years )
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
I used to like the job of "spokersperson" because I enjoyed communications and being able to "spin" the worst situations into a good story for the company. In the last seven years, I have lost a bit of respect for the role.
I believe even a good "spinmeister" is obligated to live in the reality-based world, and don't believe in "plausable deniability" and "limited access to necessary information."
If you can't tell your company story while still being truthful without seeming to be a criminal, then YOU ARE A CRIMINAL. -
Instructor
Portland State University
(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)
1995 — Present (14 years )
I also instruct at Portland State University in the Multimedia Certification Program of the Professional Development Center under the School of Extended Studies. My two classes, Introduction to Web Authoring Foundational Course, part 1 and Business Strategies for (New) Digital Media are part of the Producer Track of the program.
Business Strategies (MP400) is essentially "Multimedia 101" where I cover the basics of the interactive media industry, including nomenclature, participants, business models, basics of design, and production of a user-centered interactive media experience. I've been teaching it in one form or another since the program began in 1995, and while the class, program and industry have changed a lot over the years, there's always been one constant that I impart to my adult professional students: "it's all about the user!" -
Creative Director & Senior Producer
iHealthMedia, HTS Interactive, Multimedia Resources, et al.
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
February 1990 — March 2001 (11 years 2 months)
A multimedia development co. (Multimedia Resources) founded by Harvey Smythe in 1989. I was an early recruit, new to Oregon, green and eager.
We grew over time, built touchscreen kiosks (Harvey pioneered that industry), moved into web dev, and "niched" in healthcare -- health plans and the "Blues.”
Practically closed down in 1996 and even had a "fire sale," but Harvey refused to give up and the company was "reborn" in 1997.
Rode the "dot com boom,” were acquired twice (first by High Technology Solutions, Inc. of San Diego, then Landacorp, Inc. of Atlanta). Re-named iHealthMedia.com, we lasted till the "dot com bust." Closed by Landacorp in March of 2001.
During the company's life I held the positions of graphic artist, production grunt, graphic designer, programmer, associate/assistant producer, multimedia producer, voice-over talent (the voice of Mickey Mouse -- still a party fav), and culminated as Creative Director and Senior Interactive Media Producer.
What a run. -
Head of Research Administration
Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; DIS; Entertainment industry)
March 1987 — February 1989 (2 years )
This job was simple: prepare and manage the top-secret development information for the top Disney brass. This manager-level job gave me access to information that only VP's and Presidents had, and often didn’t even share with each other.
What a rush (and education) to watch Katzenberg, Vogel, Kirkpatrick, Hoberman, DeLine, Eisner, and the rest in action. I regularly sat (quiet as a mouse) in the room for some of the most incredible meetings in Hollywood.
I also moved forward the automation of the department and the transition from analog to digital information management.
I loved the job and would never have left it, were it not for the need to re-locate my family to Portland, Oregon. What I miss most is the KNOWLEDGE (=power?) that I had, even if there wasn’t much I could do with it. It was a great education in the STUDIO side of film, as compared to the independent side I was educated in or the TV commercial side I began my film career in. -
Administrative Assistant
Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; DIS; Entertainment industry)
January 1986 — February 1987 (1 year 2 months)
Before my big job at Disney, I had three other positions. First, I started as a support person in Production, working on the TV and airline versions of films. This was great fun, as I got to sit and watch “dailies” sometimes with top execs, directors, and stars to take notes.
I got to meet Robin Williams and watch him try to dub a "tv safe" alternative for "holy grizzly mother-f$#%ers" (not easy, I think whale spit was a part of it).
I also worked in Product Placement, alongside an intern named D.J. Caruso, who is now a big-time Hollywood film director.
Later, I assisted a Creative Executive and watched how the "development" process for films works. Hint, it makes the creation of sausage or laws look positively idyllic.
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Education
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Occidental College
B.A. , Communications, Theater, Film , 1976 — 1980
My daughters both attend(ed) arch-rival Pomona -- go figure.
- Activities and Societies:
- Literary Magazine, Theater Department, Film, Newspaper, Pinball, Photography, Girl's Softball (Coach), Luigi's Pizza Fan Club, Radio Station
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Portland State University
Additional Information
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Websites:
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Interests:
Media (each and every one: traditional, "new", and "yet to be discovered"); communications consulting ("It's the user, stupid!"); electoral integrity (It's the voter, stupid!"); Advertising (the good, the bad, AND the ugly); Hold-em poker (dealing, playing, coaching and instructing); and Constitutional Law (with an emphasis on intellectual property rights).
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Groups:
Internet Strategy Forum, Internet Professionals Northwest (now a SIG of Software Association of Oregon), CHIFOO., I.I.C.S. and Creative Conference
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Occidental College Alumni -
New Media Innovators -
Portland Creative Conference -
PDX Technology Professionals - Portland Oregon -
ATC & ACEO Enthusiasts
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Honors:
Winner of a Summit Award back in the 1990's -- not sure what happened to that piece of glass, though. Nominated for a Webby, but wasn't willing to stuff the ballot box to win. Voted "Most Likely to Believe a Conspiracy Theory" by my two daughters.
Charles "Charlie" Levenson’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
