Devlin Design Group

KTVA Debuts Stunning Newsroom and News Set!

Anchorage, Alaska: An on-air news environment as versatile and stunning as the great Alaskan outdoors!

Alaska telecom giant GCI launched “the new KTVA,” the first television station in Alaska to broadcast local programming in high definition. The centerpiece of this state-of-the-art digital facility is a news set and content gathering environment designed and installed by Devlin Design Group.

“We have made a substantial investment bringing high definition programming to Anchorage. But it means nothing if the content and images are anything less than exceptional. The dazzling set designed by DDG jumps out of the screen and sits on the couch next to you.”
—Gary Donovan, COO & General Manager, KTVA

CBS affiliate KTVA is now the most advanced and sophisticated broadcasting facility in Alaska. In addition to blazing new trails in high tech, KTVA is also a community station that aims to exceed the expectations of the communities it serves.

When GCI decided to reinvent KTVA, they called Dan Devlin, Creative Director of Devlin Design Group, a forward thinking company, well-known and respected in the industry for their award winning design expertise.

“The Devlin Design Group designed an unbelievable set and an equally beautiful and versatile newsroom for KTVA. I used their designs to help recruit nearly twenty people from the Lower 48 to supplement our already terrific staff in Anchorage. Candidates found that a World Class environment, a state of the art studio and a cutting-edge newsroom were compelling reasons to want to relocate.”
—Burt Rudman, Executive News Director, KTVA

GCI handpicked DDG for guidance in all aspects of the concept, design and construction of this new media center. DDG became the overall concept integrator, providing insight and advice in all key areas such as selecting equipment integrator, graphics and music suppliers—choices all meant to compliment the visually stunning design of the news set environments designed by DDG.

“I’ve worked with Dan on previous sets and knew that his team was the right one for KTVA. DDG built a set that provides tremendous flexibility from morning show to late newscast. It’s a storyteller’s dream, and it really set a new standard for television news sets in Alaska…or maybe anywhere. We loved it so much, we purchased a jib to show it off during the newscasts.”
—John Tracy, President/CEO Bradley Reid Associates

In addition to being a dazzling HD set, it is a versatile, on-air news environment that includes a working weather center as well as a separate morning news talk show area.

The design of the set accommodates a variety of shots, all meant to enhance and highlight the talent. It also has the ability to display countless visual backgrounds as varied as Alaska and its people. This is made possible by the LED cube wall system which can display unlimited images and colors that will define the mood and setting of each program

DDG also designed and built a complete, digital newsroom that includes a working weather center, in addition to the one on the news set. The design of the second floor newsroom is consistent with the style and color scheme of the set and includes 180 degree views of the surrounding Alaskan landscape.

“GCI made it clear at the onset of this project that it was their priority to choose the right team to help them reinvent KTVA for the digital age. Devlin Design Group is proud to be a part of that team and congratulates KTVA and GCI on the successful launch of this exciting new era of content delivery in Alaska!”
— Dan Devlin, Creative Director, Devlin Design Group

For more information contact:
Steve Minium, Minium Media Strategies
sminium@miniumstrategies.com
859.282.7606

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Devlin Design Group
100 Easy Street
Unit #815
Carefree, AZ 85377

Phone:1-970-349-5836

EJ Baker

(THEY/THEM)

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Productive, proactive and passionate about executing the ‘never been done before’ describes EJ! Their belief that creative project managers are the stuff that holds creative teams together by helping to foster an environment where innovative ideas happen, is pure magic.

EJ is passionate about the diversity of their work history on a variety of high-profile projects. A gamer at heart they organized their own mini esports tournament which led to a gig at esports titan, Riot Games. It wasn’t long before the creators of VENN, the streaming network dedicated to gaming and pop culture, noticed and invited them to join the team in launching this ambitious project.

Having worked from ‘the client side’ perspective of scenic design projects, DDG clients benefit from EJ’s magical skills — facilitating collaboration and brainstorming sessions, setting realistic deadlines, keeping projects on track and on budget. They know how to juggle all the moving parts of a scenic project, anticipate challenges and address them before they become problems.

What does downtime look like for this dynamo? How about being one of Brooklyn’s top roller derby stars for starters. EJ’s opinion carries lots of weight around DDG — and weightlifting circles as an Olympic coach and competitor. Throw in training for the next marathon, watch EJ run circles around the competition.

Bruce Aleksander

(HE/HIM)

LIGHTING CONSULTANT

With an interest in photography, theatre and film that goes back to childhood, Bruce had his first camera at age 6, shot his first film at 13, and was lighting performances at 14. Long before lighting and production were his profession, they were his hobbies. Today they remain one of his passions.

Bruce is an accomplished and creative lighting consultant for multi-camera television production. He learned the fundamentals of lighting from the pioneers of television lighting including Imero Fiorentino, Bill Klages and George Spiro Dibie. From that base, Bruce has gone on to win recognition for his work, including Emmy and Telly Awards, PROMAX Gold, Set of the Year and the Illuminating Engineering Society’s international award.

His projects include news studios, talk shows, a national network series, network remote production, promos, commercials, sports, telethons, theatre, symphony orchestra broadcasts, and cultural events. Bruce shares his extensive knowledge and vast experience by continuing to publish articles about lighting design and the latest in lighting technology.  

Bruce lives in Seattle where he enjoys his other passions, the local art scene, hiking, travel and getting together with friends.

 

Diane Fiolek “DIFI”

(SHE/HER)

VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

DiFi is legendary in the TV biz for her breakthrough designs. A Michigander happily transplanted to Florida’s Gulf Coast, she’s taken home some of the industry’s most prestigious honors including 30+ Emmys, PROMAX awards, Set of the Year and Telly Awards. A strategic thinker, DiFi delights DDG’s clients with multiple solutions for their every design challenge

Being nimble is critical when dealing with today’s brands across many touchpoints. Not only well versed in set design, she also is a seasoned animation and graphics pro. DiFi adds special skills and knowledge to Team DDG’s creative toolbox and will put all those outstanding creative talents to work on your project.

A classical pianist who’s as comfortable with Bach and Brahms as she is with generating new and exciting designs, her branding prowess is perhaps matched only by her talents in the kitchen, much to the appreciation of her husband and friends! And she gets as much pleasure from being around positive people as she does wading into brainstorming sessions with seasoned professionals.

Diane graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, in addition to completion of courses in interior design and technical drawing at Michigan State University. DiFi is well versed in the Adobe suite and has completed VIZrt training.

Kartik Dakshinamoorthy

(HE/HIM)

CO-OWNER, PRESIDENT / SCENIC DESIGN DIRECTOR

Kartik is Team DDG’s inspirational Spirit Leader. He has an exceptional ability to collect input from seemingly disparate sources, pull it all together and create designs that amaze clients and engage audiences. He says his most creative time of day is sometime after 2 am when distractions are at a minimum and his full creative energies are at their zenith.

Kartik grew up in India on a road to become a heart surgeon. As a college student he sought balance in his world by back-packing through India, a path that led him to turn down a full scholarship to one of India’s most prestigious medical schools and follow his creative passions… much to the delight of Team DDG clients around the world.

With over 20 years at DDG, Kartik has led the team in some impressive wins. His award count includes a dozen Emmys, nine Set of the Year trophies, eight PROMAX Gold Awards, and a Telly Award.

Kartik finds balance through his life with his amazing wife and daughter. His passion is fueled by the desire to be the very best… a goal fulfilled with every one of Team DDG’s custom set designs. Kartik’s eyes light up when someone says…“I know this isn’t possible, but what if…” That is the precise moment Kartik begins crafting the design that transforms their ideas into stunning reality

Kartik is a stickler for detail and personally oversees all aspects of the building process to ensure that the construction is kept at a high standard, meets the intent of the project design, and comes in on budget and on time.

Kartik pursued his education beginning at the prestigious Sir. JJ School of Architecture and merited a Bachelor of Architecture, an India Gold Medalist, immediately followed with a Master of Architecture from the University of Arizona.

Dan Devlin

(HE/HIM)

CO-OWNER, CEO / BIG PICTURE OPTIMIST

Dan is the inspirational chieftain of Team DDG’s creative geniuses. He is a team building ‘Think-Meister’ who lives the founding principles he used to establish the company more than 30 years ago – Creativity, Knowledge, and Innovation. These principles form the keystone of DDG’s success in captivating audiences around the world through award winning, stunning, and technologically advanced scenic storytelling environments.

A Jersey boy who spent his formative years in Arizona, Dan’s creativity is fueled by his passions: mountain biking, travelling and the pursuit of excellence. When not at his desk overlooking the Sonoran Desert, you can find him in Huatulco Mexico, Sandpoint Idaho, or the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, traversing high country trails on a mountain bike. These soul replenishing rides are bounded by discipline but nourish unbridled creativity.

The inspiration from these frequent adventures through breath-taking scenery, coupled with a passion for technological expertise, is the blend that produces set designs that have been awarded Set of the Year nine times, the PROMAX Gold Award for a record breaking eight out of nine years, and more than two dozen Emmy Awards. 

Dan brings a competitive edge to all he does. He leads Team DDG in the process of identifying your expectations for a winning project outcome. He firmly believes, if you can imagine it – you can create it!

Dan earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Arizona State University.