Meet Brian Kniffel

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brian Kniffel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brian below.

Hi Brian, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

For me, writers block and creativity walls stem from being too close to the same type of material for too long. I find it helpful to consume books, articles, and podcasts that deal with subject matter outside of my existing knowledge and interests. Maybe it’s a placebo, but I feel that turning myself back into a student and taking in new information somehow enables a clearer output of the creative information I’m seeking to convey in whatever project I’m working on.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a producer by trade and I run a boutique creative studio called Tire Swing Media. We partner with brands, agencies, and influencers to turn big ideas into compelling, engaging videos that stick. Our clients include video game developers, CPG companies, restaurants, law firms, corporate giants, and even families wanting to turn the videos on their phone’s camera roll into something more meaningful.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

This is tough because I’ve never really thought of my professional life in these terms, but here’s what comes to mind:
1. Curiosity: I’ve always had more interests and hobbies than my schedule allowed, so I’ve had to become a quick study in virtually everything I’m interested in. Being a quick study helps a lot when collaborating with clients in different arenas. Being able to absorb brand identities and goals quickly can make things much easier when it comes to creative strategy.
2. Being unemotional: This is helpful in every commercial creative endeavor, but especially in those where you have to navigate lots of outside input, feelings, and egos. Staying calm and soberly evaluating all of the stakeholder needs can help bridge the gap and make the best decisions on both creative and business levels.
3. This is an extension of the previous two, but I’d say being flexible and nimble. Being certain that you’ve got it all figured out is the kiss of death. Being adaptable is the key to thriving in an evolving marketplace. Our business is always changing—some opportunities become less fruitful while new avenues emerge. And while the core elements of our tool kit remain mostly the same, I’ve found that embracing new technology, methods, and ways of thinking can really boost productivity and improve results for us and our clients.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am always looking for new partners and collaborators! While I try to be a Swiss army knife, I recognize that there are wildly talented people out there who are great in their respective lanes in a way that I could never be. Those people inspire me and that’s who I want to connect with and collaborate. This could be a really exciting new brand, a rising influencer in a cool space, or a talented cinematographer with a unique way of telling stories through video. If you really care about the creative work you’re doing, I care about it too. Let’s connect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tireswing.tv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tireswingmedia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TireSwingMedia/
• Twitter: https://x.com/tireswingmedia
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TireSwingMedia

Image Credits

Ezra Epwell
Spencer Schwab
Jeff Chuh
Rob Toth
Jamie Brown