MARK DISTEFANO

Professional Experience

April 2019 - Present

REAL ESTATE INVESTOR/DEVELOPER - BENAT, LLC

Evaluate real estate investment opportunities. Identify undervalued properties, working with designers and contract professionals to remodel and "flip" properties for profit. Site supervise work crews through the project lifecycle, manage budget, dependency schedule and city permit process. Projects valued at $7.4 million with a three-year NIAT of $800,000.

March 2016 - January 2019

DIRECTOR OF INTERACTIVE SPORTS - AT&T

Managed interactive products through life cycle, overseeing live broadcasts for DirecTV’s interactive sports channels, including the NFL Sunday Ticket package. Developed product strategies and expanded streaming products, launching highlights and real-time data across multiple platforms. Supervised Tier 1 live-broadcast operational support. Drafted troubleshooting and escalation protocol guidelines.

June 2006 - March 2016

SENIOR CONTENT PRODUCER/WRITER - DIRECTV

Collaborated with UX designers and engineers to develop DirectTV's interactive sports applications. Wrote microcopy for streamed apps and interactive channels. Drafted PR releases, marketing copy, product descriptions, and new products promotions. Developed technical functional specs, product requests and service summaries. Wrote and Directed short films for internal marketing and training.

Mar 2000 - May 2006

CONTENT WRITER/PRODUCER - TIME WARNER

Wrote narratives/scripts for interactive games: Dark Eye and Adventures of Smart Patrol for Time-Warner Interactive Group. Researched/Wrote articles for interactive documentaries including: Columbus: Encounter, Discovery and Beyond for Library of Congress; and Air Power: History of Flight for United States Air Force.

January 2000 - Present

WGA WEST - SCREENWRITER

Developed and executed pitches, treatments, and screenplays from ideation to polished final product, collaborating with executives, producers and directors. Sold eight self-generated (spec) WGA-sanctioned projects since 2000, including current projects Currency at Participant Media and Akula at Original Film. Screenplays available on request.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Pioneered first-of-kind products for sports properties: NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB, FIFA World Cup, Masters Golf
Emmy Awards for Outstanding New Approaches in Sports Coverage
Global Media Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Repurposed Content
Universal Studios Fellowship to develop feature length screenplays at Amblin Entertainment
USC School of Cinematic Arts Screenwriting Fellowship
Member of the Five-Time Los Angeles Marathon Club

EDUCATION

University of Southern California

Masters of Fine Arts, Cinematic Arts

University of Missouri at Columbia

Bachelor of Arts, English

University of Missouri at Columbia

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism