THE TEAM
BOB KRESSER
CEO
Prior to launching K2 Communications, now K2 Studios, more than 20 years ago, Bob Kresser was agency principal of one of the West Coast’s largest independent ad agencies, Kresser/Craig. He sold the agency to produce high quality television programming, and soon brought this quality to the giant screen. It is with this background he launched an integrated film finance, production, distribution and marketing – one stop shop – for Giant Screen IMAX® documentary films. Under Bob’s leadership, K2 pioneered what is now called brand integration in Giant Screen IMAX® documentary films such as Adventures in Wild California, Fighter Pilot, The Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Legends of Flight, Journey to Space, and most recently Mountain Adventure: Out of Bounds. Bob was also one of the first to see the future of television shifting to Video on Demand, leading to the formation of K2 Studios (Havoc TV), and a driving force in the current diversification of his company with the newly launched partnership with MGM Television. Bob is currently CEO of K2 Studios.
MARK KRESSER
PRESIDENT
Mark has over twenty years experience in the entertainment and new media businesses, with roles that have encompassed all aspects of project development, implementation and oversight. In his current role as President of K2, Mark continues to wear many hats. In addition to helping guide the strategic direction of the company, including new business and film development, Mark oversees all of K2’s theatrical and non-theatrical distribution efforts. Mark has spearheaded the theatrical and subsequent non-theatrical launches of all of K2’s new releases over the past 20 years, including Fighter Pilot, The Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Legends of Flight, Rescue, Space Junk, Journey to Space, Aircraft Carrier, Australia’s Great Wild North, Secrets of the Universe, Mountain Adventure: Out of Bounds, Sea Lions, Serengeti, Fungi: Web of Life and Animal Kingdom. During his tenure, Mark has expanded K2’s theatrical distribution (and in some cases production) beyond IMAX/Giant Screen theaters to include digital 3D theaters, 4D “attraction theaters,” digital “full dome” planetariums, and flying theaters. Since 2004, Mark has also led K2’s pioneering effort to broaden the distribution of IMAX-format films to non-theatrical media, starting with High Definition and Standard Definition television, and growing to include hotels, airlines, broadband sites and more. After starting with HD and SD, K2 has continued to be a leader as new TV markets developed, including 3D TV, 4K “UHD TV” and even 8K TV. In addition to distributing its own films, under Mark’s supervision, K2’s library has grown to include more than 90 IMAX-format films from more than 25 independent producers, and K2 also represents 1000’s of hours of additional high quality factual / unscripted content. Mark also formed a strategic partnership with Australian partner Definition Films, and K2 has more than 15 films in production or development with Definition and other partners. Along with Ryan Kresser, Mark led K2’s effort to secure a strategic partnership, co-production, first look and distribution deal with MGM that enabled K2 to greatly expand its production of premium unscripted television series and other documentaries for broadcasters and streamers.
RYAN KRESSER
EVP TELEVISION
Starting in the late 1990s, Ryan served as the writer of several episodes for K2’s documentary television series Self Made in California, and as an Executive Producer on K2’s inaugural IMAX® format film project, Adventures in Wild California. He subsequently created, and was the initial Publisher for BigMovieZone.com, the first website to aggregate theater and film info for the entire global IMAX® documentary film market in one place. Subsequently Ryan led K2’s efforts to acquire the rights from fellow IMAX® format documentary film producers to distribute what soon became the world’s largest library of IMAX® format films for television and other ancillary platforms, securing initial licensing deals with US cable networks INHD and HD Net, and negotiating a seven figure advance from international distribution partner Alfred Haber Distribution. In 2004, in partnership with K2 Ryan co-founded cable TV network Havoc Television, covering Millennial and Gen Z focused music, sports and culture, carried by over 100 US cable operators in 65 million US TV homes, and went on to serve as CEO for over 15 years. Havoc successfully collaborated with K2 on IMAX format films including Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D starring 11x world champion surfer Kelly Slater, for which Havoc sourced $7mm in sponsorship funding from Suzuki Automotive and a strategic marketing partnership with Quiksilver, and Mountain Adventure: Out of Bounds starring Olympic Gold Medalist snowboarder Torah Bright. At Havoc, Ryan executive produced over 350 original content titles, plus over 3,000 hours of groundbreaking live interactive programming for DIRECTV Channel 101 (“Havoc on the 101”), as well as The Mix aired on G4. With Havoc, Kresser also created the first live interactive cable TV network in the US, enabling viewers to use social media to chat live on screen and vote to control what video plays next in real time. Havoc secured output deals from hundreds of the most respected content partners in its space, amassing a content library of over 15,000 titles, and developed a forward-looking multi-platform solution for a long list of repeat blue chip sponsors, including the ongoing creation of brand integrated content featuring top artists and athletes from Havoc genres. In 2020, Ryan partnered with K2 to secure a strategic partnership deal with MGM, including completion funding for new documentary TV series, and non-theatrical library distribution. In 2024 Ryan and Mark launched the EarthDay 365 FAST channel in partnership with co-owner and dedicated activist Pamela Anderson.
PAUL WILD
VP OF DISTRIBUTION
Paul has been in the giant screen industry for over 21 years. He joined IMAX Victoria (Royal BC Museum) as Theater Director in October 2003 and went on to join the K2 Studios team in July 2022. While essentially operating as an independent commercial theater, Paul also had the benefit and experience of operating within the environment of a mission-based institution—the Royal BC Museum. His 20+ years of professional hotel management experience within the tourism and hospitality field complements his approach to the giant screen industry. During his time with IMAX Victoria, and with credit towards a commitment to film marketing and a great team of staff and management, IMAX Victoria was continually a top performer in the industry. In addition, Paul and his team implemented and maintained the most successful annual pass program in the IMAX world, with around 19,000 to 20,000 members annually. In 2008 & 2019 his projection booth team was awarded the Best Booth Award courtesy of IMAX Corporation and in 2018 IMAX Victoria won the Best Film Launch by a Theatre for America’s Musical Journey. Over the years he has contributed to the GSCA through a long-standing involvement on the Programming, Industry Development and Governance Committees as well as being a GSCA board member for six years and a member of the 2019 GSCA Executive Committee. In 2021 Paul went on to receive the “Big Shoe Award” from the Giant Screen Cinema Association for recognition of his exemplary volunteer service. Paul now utilizes his collective skills to assist K2 Studios with their film distribution efforts.
MICHAEL DAUT
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, DISTRIBUTION REP
Michael Daut is an award-winning immersive media writer/producer/director in Los Angeles, CA. Michael brings a wealth of experience within the giant screen cinema, 4D attraction, and digital fulldome industries. Before establishing his own production company, he served at Mousetrappe, an experience design and production studio. For over 20 years at Evans & Sutherland, he was instrumental in developing a library of digital fulldome shows and helped create the first fulldome conversion of a 1570 film. Michael’s current clients include K2 Studios, a giant screen film production and distribution company, Sotto Studios, an experiential solutions agency, and Moodswings, LLC, creators of the visual music show Mesmerica. Michael is a member of the Producer's Guild of America, the Themed Entertainment Association, a founding member of the Association of Fulldome Innovators, a former member of the Telly Awards' Silver Council, a board member of the Giant Screen Cinema Association, co-chair of the GSCA Innovations Committee, and a board member of IMERSA.org, the Immersive Media Entertainment, Research, Science and Arts organization dedicated to raising the visibility of immersive media across a variety of disciplines throughout the world.
PAULA TAGLE
MANAGER, FILM DISTRIBUTION, DIGITAL & ONLINE MEDIA
With over twenty years experience in the film and new media industries, Paula manages K2's film distribution arm for both theatrical and non-theatrical outlets. She heads coordination among producers, film laboratories, vendors, theaters, and ancillary outlets. In addition to overseeing distribution, she currently manages daily operations for K2 including the implementation and management of new systems, database software, print and digital media inventory, digital delivery systems, and online tools. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Southern California.
DAYNA BRAUN
CONTROLLER
Dayna is in charge of all financial duties for K2 and its film productions. She manages cashflow, financial reporting, and producer distributions as well as payroll and accounts payable. Dayna, a licensed CPA, joined K2 in 2015 with over 8 years of accounting experience. She gained the majority of her experience working in the entertainment industry at The Tennis Channel and CBS Films after beginning her career working for public accounting firm KPMG, LLP in their audit division. Dayna earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.