BRIAN DESPIE
Executive Producer
Brian brings a lifetime of experience to Stungun, having grown up in the entertainment business. The son of a Walt Disney Company executive, the younger Despie has arrived, bringing his own sort of magic to every communications challenge he encounters. A seasoned producer with experience across every facet of the business, Brian ensures client communications objectives are accomplished while delivering every project on message, on time, and on budget.
A graduate of the University of San Diego, Brian has years of production experience working for clients including Major League Baseball, AST Computer, the Richard Nixon Library, Callaway Gardens, Kids World (Ocean Park, Hong Kong), the NFL / Superbowls, Sony Computer Entertainment, Nike, Walt Disney Company, the National Resource Defense Coalition, Sun Microsystems, and Adidas.
In 2006, Brian joined creative and production forces with Creative Director Kevin Cohen to form Stungun Productions, Inc. This union of creative and production expertise, coupled with an undying desire to deliver truly imaginative concepts, has yielded events and experiences that not only set, but exceed the industry standard.
KEVIN COHEN
Creative Director
A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, Kevin too has a lifetime of experience across disciplines including lighting design, theatrical design, technical direction, media production, environmental design, exhibits, and experiences. Kevin’s keen creative sense and restless imagination ensure brand communications are activated in ways that are memorable, unique, and unconventional.
Early in his career, Kevin worked on a variety of live entertainment and experiences including the Dairinkai Water Fantasium at the 1990 Osaka World Expo as well as projects for MGM, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Company, and more. Today he has translated this live entertainment and theatrical experience to corporate projects, finding never-been-done-before solutions to a variety of communications and messaging challenges.
His client roster includes Walt Disney Imagineering, Adidas Footwear, MGM Consumer Products, Nike, Universal Studios, and Sun Microsystems. A dedicated patron and participant in the arts, Kevin has directed music videos, completed an independent film project, and is an active art collector and supporter of the Museum of Contemporary Art. His artistry, passion, and vision is unparalleled in the industry.
ANGIE STAGGS
Business Manager
Fine arts education at California College of Art & Crafts was Angie's first calling, but soon entrepreneurial projects around the world started her adventures in business. The creative and production services that Stungun offers affords her the ability to work in both these arenas with like-minded teammates who bring out the best in each other.
By using her creative mindset to approach logistical and budgetary challenges, Angie brings every project her unique set of experiences.
Playing music, making art and spending time with husband, daughter and cat are her loves. Born in California, but living between New York and the UK for her first 20 years, San Francisco is now home.
MAI SAKAI
Art Director / Account Manager
Mai is a production designer, art director and account manager for Stungun Productions. An event/TV production veteran with 10+ years of experience, her past credits include art direction for Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Democratic National Convention and many music tours such as Dave Matthews Band, Jay Z and Eminem. She was nominated for Primetime Emmy Outstanding Art Direction for Variety, Music or Nonfiction Programming as well as ADG Awards Excellence in Production Design for an Award Show, Variety, Music Special or Non-Fiction.
She was born and raised in Kobe, Japan. After high school, she moved to Fort Worth, TX, and graduated with a BFA from Texas Christian University with honors. She went on to study theatrical set design at California State University, Fullerton and received an MFA. She’s an accomplished ceramic artist, jewelry designer, watercolor artist and conference call doodler.
In her spare time, she is learning how to surf, and loves to cook with her friends. She enjoys wines of all colors and fine tequila.
MIKE STAGGS
Production Supervisor
With over 20 years in the live entertainment field and an accomplished musician, Mike’s time in the music industry eventually led him into the world of creative event production. His passion for on-stage performance combined with his appreciation of new technologies, and a deep respect for architecture and the visual arts, made the world of experiential events a natural progression for him.
Having worked with the members of the Stungun team for 17 years, he enjoys a symbiotic approach to creativity and production value and always brings a unique and fresh perspective to his projects. Originally from Indiana, Mike makes his home in San Francisco and enjoys being a parent, husband, musician and visual artist when not on show site.