Robert Sokol Email & Phone Number

United States

California

Well-rounded creative services consultant with over four decades of hands-on experience in graphic design, publishing, content creation (editorial, dramaturgical, social media), marketing, advertising, social media, hospitality, event planning and production, and nonprofit and small business operations.Most recent decades spent serving theatre companies and other performing arts presenters, in addition to the small business and neighborhood merchant sector.

Freelance entertainment writer specializing in features, columns, interviews, and reviews. Published in:Desert Stages Newstalkinbroadway.comSan Francisco ExaminerSan Francisco MagazineBAYSTAGESbayscreensbroadwayworld.comEDGE Media NetworkThe Sondheim ReviewTheatre Bay Area Magazineexaminer.comTheaterMania.cominsideprideBay Area Reporter (B.A.R)GLOSS MagazineMetropolis (Tel Aviv)BENEFIT MagazineFrontiers NewsmagazinePINK MagazineQSF Magazinesondheim.comScarlet Street

San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C.

Producer, associate producer or production consultant on theatrical, non-profit and fund raising events for:American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)The TBA AwardsSan Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics CircleThe Actors' Fund of AmericaGolden Gate Business AssociationSteve Chase Humanitarian AwardsRichmond/Ermet AIDS FoundationODC SchoolSan Francisco Performing Arts Library & MuseumGrace CathedralSan Francisco PrideOASIS / CaliforniaSt. Aidan's Episcopal ChurchMacy's PassportGolden Gate Performing ArtsThe Names ProjectS.T.A.G.E.News Travel NetworkGLAAD

Creative services agency and playbill publisher for theatre companies and other performing arts presenters in San Francisco, the greater Bay Area, and beyond.

San Francisco

Graphic Design + PublishingVIA MEDIA is Latin for "the middle way" and we offer a sure path between DIY frustration and high-overhead consulting for your print and online design needs.We have a special talent for publishing. Let us handle your theatre and event programs, CD/DVD packaging, member directories, annual reports, catalogs, season brochures and other multi-page publications. We can turn-key your project from concept through content development, design and layout, print management, and distribution - and even advertising sales and fulfillment, if needed.

San Francisco

Founder and editor of BAYSTAGES, your insider guide to the best in theatre, music, dance and more in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area! First developed as a monthly magazine, the brand evolved into a regional entertainment website.

Managed ongoing operations, member services, communications, finances, conferences, and other components of this national organization. Provided substantive input to organizational restructuring, served on the executive committee, and produced professional multi-track conferences in San Francisco (2017) and New York (2019).

San Francisco And Beyond!

Operations management services for membership-based organizations including merchant and professional associations clients included several San Francisco merchant associations.

San Francisco

Recruited to launch the first-ever peer-adjudicated awards program to celebrate outstanding achievement in professionally-oriented theatre throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Responsibilities included:- leadership of the steering committee- management of the pre-existing relationship with software provider - refinement of system parameters of licensed software- recruitment of theatre companies and individual adjudicators for the initial season- creation of system documentation and user guides- providing training for 80 companies and over 200 adjudicators- processing over 175 individual productions- day-to-day management of inaugural program operations- preparation of season-end finalist and award-recipeint data- recruitment of of software developer to design replacement program- supervision of buildout, testing and implementation of replacement systems - load of initial organization and venue data- documentation of new program- build-out of user-instruction website for adjudicators and producers- launch and ongoing management of new website for second season- supervision of upgrade to "what's playing" event listings to integrate with awards program process- training TBA staff in use of new softwareAlso served as producer for all aspects (including commemorative souvenir program publishing by VIA MEDIA) of the inaugural awards ceremony held at the Geary Theater on November 10, 2014. The critically and financially successful event was attended by over 800 industry professionals and guests and was followed by a celebratory post-party at Ruby Skye nightclub.

San Francisco

Interim part-time position managing finances for the internationally renowned dance company and its school and theatre operations. Revised their accounting structure and brought their systems into the new millennium. ODC School hired VIA MEDIA to produce the marketing materials and the post-performance reception for a wildly successful fund-raising event featuring Robin Williams, Bill Irwin, Geoff Hoyle and Samantha Samuels. Position was upgraded to full time and I chose to devote full energies to VIA MEDIA.

San Francisco Bay Area

Hired for the 25th anniversary season of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, the oldest in the world. Primary responsibilities included public relations, marketing, FOH concert operations and general administration. GGPA also contracted with VIA MEDIA to create all graphics for the extended season, including annual brochures, display advertising, posters, concert programs, CDs and other marketing collaterals.

San Francisco

At the time, a wholly owned subsidiary of Preview Media. Transitioned from finance role to fill developing need in television syndication operations. Managed client services, commercial spot inventory, media buying, traffic, Nielsen relationship, program delivery (tape / satellite), vendors, trade show exhibitions. Also, produced entertainment segments for Northwest Airlines inflight video magazine in my spare time. When I tried to expand into more production work I was told to stay in my box, so I quit and started VIA MEDIA.

San Francisco Bay Area

Basic running of the books position with special niches for managing / valuing capitalization of intangible assets (video production costs), detailed job costing by shoot, travel barter inventory management / liquidation.

San Francisco

Initially a finance position, role was redesigned to take on additional responsibilities after two major corporate reductions in force and multiple office closings. Once the company was back on its feet, they showed their gratitude by eliminating my position.

San Francisco

Basic bookkeeping role for a failed business venture headed by a charismatic but impractical entrepreneur.

New York City

Accountant and office manager for fashion buying association of elite regional retail operations. Responsibilities included coordination of international travel and expenses for a team of buyers and management of some extremely crotchety office support staff.Then I moved to Oz...aka San Francisco!

Wilkes-Barre, Pa

First real job after leaving college. My interview consisted of: "Do you balance your checkbook? "Doesn't everyone?""You're hired."Then I moved to El Dorado, Mecca, Xanadu...aka New York!

Wilkes-Barre, Pa

For an already long-time movie buff, this was a primo gig. I literally held the keys to my kingdom.