Dan Phillips, President of Storytellers Video Productions, has been passionate about storytelling since childhood. Dan was raised in an intellectual community in East Lansing, Michigan, across the street from Michigan State University. Surrounded by highly educated people from different backgrounds, he developed an early appreciation for diverse perspectives. This experience was crucial when he attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where adapting to a new environment helped shape his future career in television.

 

From a young age, Dan longed for a career in the television industry. His first television job was in Marquette, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior. He later worked in Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Paducah, Kentucky, before landing a position as a sports reporter at FOX17 in Nashville. After twenty successful years in television, however, his career took an unexpected turn.

 

As a dedicated fan of Prince, Dan paid tribute to the late musician on air, a gesture that unfortunately led to viewer complaints. After a decade with the station, Dan was let go, marking the end of his television career. However, he viewed this setback as an opportunity for a fresh start, focusing on what he loved most—telling stories. 

 

"I genuinely feel like I've been put on this earth to tell people's stories, and I love it," he says. Dan's approach to creating his videos can be described in one word: intentional. In the initial meeting, Dan has his client tell the story of their business or organization from beginning to present day. He selects parts of the story that he believes will resonate with their target audience and then confirms the story's direction with the client. 

 

When asked about his most memorable projects, Dan says choosing one is like picking a favorite child. "What I value most are the relationships I build through storytelling and the interactions that extend beyond the video," he shares. He enjoys working with nonprofits and helping them spread awareness of their mission.

 

Seeing video as the future of marketing, Dan looks forward to continuing to tell authentic, impactful stories. He hopes to be remembered as a father, storyteller, resource, and connector.