SPOTON PRODUCTIONS - Key Persons
Anthony J. Rickert-Epstein (A.J.) was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and has been making films and videos since he was eight years old. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, graduating at age twenty with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Film Studies. He often returns to his alma mater to teach and mentor students. During his time attending class at Miami, A.J. created the first active filmmaking organization called the Miami Association of Filmmakers and Independent Actors (M.A.F.I.A.). It is a still-flourishing group committed to the ins and outs of filmmaking and staying up to date with the latest technology.
A.J. also attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Manhattan in 2003, where he learned to work with traditional film stock, shooting five short films and editing them using razor blades and tape on a Steenbeck editing table. He has subsequently been the main editor for several feature films, some of which have been uncredited. Today, A.J. is a IATSE 600 cinematographer as well as a seasoned director, visual effects supervisor and editor. His work can be seen in numerous feature-length films, television shows, music videos, commercials, industrial and corporate content, and various social media content. Most recently lensed and vfx supervised the smash hit biopic "Salt-N-Pepa", (directed by Mario Van Peebles) in addition to lensing, vfx supervising, and editing the period piece "Songs of Solomon", which was the official 2020 Academy Awards submission by the country of Armenia for best international feature film, best cinematography and best editing.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife (Cincinnati photographer Christina Napier), learning new things, and a variety of outdoor activities.
Corey joined SpotOn Productions as a Sales Coordinator in March 2023. She has a Business Administration and Marketing background and a BA from Central Michigan University. Corey relocated from Michigan to the Cincinnati area in 2007 and enjoyed a career with the Kroger Company before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters for ten years. She rejoined the workforce working for Burn Boot Camp and St. Susanna School before once again embracing her marketing roots at SpotOn Productions.
In her spare time, Corey enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters and cheering them on at dance, cheer, theatre, softball, and basketball. She also volunteers and works part-time at St. Susanna School and church.
Ian Murray leads SpotOn Productions in our vision to be the preferred creative production resource for business organizations in the greater Cincinnati/Dayton market.
Ian grew up in the video business; his first paid gig was working for a community television station while in high school. After pursuing a Tel-Com degree at Indiana University, he received a BA in business from the University of Phoenix. He joined MMR in 2004, producing, shooting, and editing; helping businesses connect with their customers and employees. He has been involved in many Telly Award winning projects including the Bronze Telly won as Producer for the Jeffery Thomas Hayden Foundation video.
Ian's skills and talents help him to relate to and communicate with people, attracting talent to our team and clients to our roster… vital to creating engaging productions that are spot on with the client's communication goals.
Job Titles:
- Account Executive, Writer, and Producer
- VP of SALES & CLIENT SERVICES
Kerry joined SpotOn Productions as an account executive, writer, and producer in 2008. Kerry has her BA in Advertising from Drake University and started her career at advertising agency Young & Rubicam. While at Y & R, Kerry met her husband Mike on a TV set when producing a spot she had written… Mike was the director.
In addition to writing and producing, Kerry's experience includes broadcast sales and management, management consulting, public relations and leadership development. She is a member of the West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance, the Goering Center and Cincinnati Aid Club.
Melissa Bertram is a Producer at SpotOn Productions and has years of agency and client service experience. She has worked on national clients such as Sara Lee Deli, Subway, Roto Rooter, The Honey Baked Ham Company, Experts on Sight, and local penthouse living Domain de la Rive. Melissa uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. She's inspired to do her best by her husband and their three children. Melissa likes to watch her daughters play volleyball, attend baseball games, hang out with friends, and read in her free time.
Michael (Mike) Murray started his career as director at a CBS affiliate, moving to Young & Rubicam Advertising where he spent 15 years as a producer/director of TV commercials, video, and music for Y&R clients across the country. He left the agency to head the multimedia division of AT&T and then NCR in Dayton. As Vice President of NCR's multimedia division, Mike concentrated on business-to-business communications; leading a staff of multimedia professionals while continuing to produce and direct for NCR's clients around the world.
Mike founded Murray Multimedia Resources, LLC, now doing business as SpotOn Productions, in 1998. As an entrepreneur, he was excited about working more directly with clients on their business-to-business communications. Mike's corporate photography work added to his love of directing and producing visual solutions for his clients.