Hybrid Edit Shows Itself To Be True Hybrid

In 2009 AICE award-winning editor Susan Munro, Emmy award-winning editor Michael Bartoli and Executive Producer Gail Butler teamed up to form the creative editorial shop and post production facility, Hybrid Edit. Susan (majority owner/partner) and Michael (partner) had a vision and a drive that was uncanny, after working for many years with reputable companies such as Red Car, Mad River Post and FilmCore. “Our company vision was born out of naming the company Hybrid where our goal is not to be defined by one medium,” Susan remarks. 

 

Gail, long time colleague and friend played an integral role in the launch of the company back in ‘09 after coming off a long tenure working last at 89 Editorial as the Executive Producer after being a Senior Producer with companies such as Whitehouse Post and Red Car.  “When Susan and Michael approached me about opening a company I knew this was an opportunity I could not pass up. Both of these editors are natural born talents, and their years of experience have only further skyrocketed their inherent talents so the idea of Hybrid seemed like the obvious next step for them,” Gail recalls.

 

This month, Hybrid Edit was recognized and certified for its FIRST year as a minority women owned business through the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC-West).

 

“The importance of joining WBENC on a personal level was to be introduced to people and companies outside of the industry and network that we are familiar with. Hybrid is at the three year mark and we now have the bandwidth to seek out opportunities beyond our client base. We have a great pool of talent that not only does commercial editing but also long format, multimedia, and entertainment projects and we felt WBENC would give us a chance to further expand in those mediums,” Susan explains. 

 

A storyteller at heart, Susan Munro’s foray into creative editorial began on a feature film, Double O Kid shot in 1992. From that point on she was inspired by the world of production and post production. Working on commercials and long format work throughout college she knew she had a knack for editing. Her receptionist position at Red Car landed her a very quick promotion into assistant editing, working under the auspices of Larry Bridges out of the Los Angeles office. In the meantime, Michael Bartoli, known as “Bart” to many of his colleagues and friends today started off at Red Car as a driver, then went on to work as an editor at Mad River Post and FilmCore and rejoined later at Red Car where he was introduced to Susan. Larry Bridges brought Bart on to edit his first national campaign for Burger King. He went on to then cut a national campaign for Toyota and many others there after. 

 

Gail, having had firsthand experience in watching these editors’ progress over the years comments on their natural creative ability to see a story through. “Susan is a consummate storyteller and a powerhouse of talent. I’ve witnessed marathon editing sessions yielding spectacular results in both her commercial and feature film work.  Her partner Michael is truly a freak of nature with his editing skills as well! Our clients know this and  rely on their creative editorial skills to tell their story and often times create it!”

 

Today, the company works as a creative partner on hundreds of commercial advertising campaigns for major brands such as AT&T, BMW, Cisco, Coca-Cola, Honda, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Lexus, LG, McDonald’s, Samsung, Sempra Energy, Skyy Vodka, Southwest, Toshiba and more. In addition to Susan and Michael, the roster is comprised of editors Christopher Willoughby and Adam Epstein. Most recent projects include a 10-spot package for the Hyundai Winter Sales event whereby Christopher and Susan worked closely with Innocean on its creative execution while Michael just recently completed a Honda campaign directed by the Cronenweths. Adam is currently cutting a campaign for a financial services company out of Kuhl Swaine in St. Louis and is also gearing up for an Adobe job with Goodby Silverstein & Partners. The company’s growth and latest developments has led to the most recent hiring of Ashley Adams McKim who will be handling business development, marketing and public relations.