Well, well, well, if it isn’t the legendary creative, Mikki Katz. After first gracing Paramount with his presence 20 years ago, Mikki has recently returned to his homeland as Senior Director Creative Paramount+ Australia. Mikki sat down with the editor of The Water Cooler over an Old Fashioned cocktail, some bacon wrapped figs and answered questions between episodes of Mad Men.
What is your role and what does it entail?
I’m Senior Director Creative Paramount+ Australia. Working with the Paramount+ team, we look after all creative campaigns and assets that promote our content or the Paramount+ brand.
What do you think Paramount+ does that stands out from the other streaming services?
Although it’s one of the newer streaming services on the block, the brand is so well recognised and has such a rich heritage. Add in the content mix from CBS, Showtime, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Live Sport and local production and it’s a compelling package.
We heard a rumour you started with Network 10 twenty years ago…you have now come full circle! What do you love about working here?
True. Good to see some faces are still here! Working at Pyrmont has always been unique. Top location, greeted by studio singing in the morning and you can almost see everyone in the building at once. It feels close-knit, everyone buckles down together, so it’s a great working vibe.
As a Creative Director, where do you draw your inspiration from?
Oh boy, everywhere really. I’ve always watched an incessant amount of TV. I try and read fiction most nights to get that storytelling brain churning. Mostly though, I’m watching other teams in the industry, looking for trends and new thinking. BBC and Channel 4 are two that are killing it now.
Who is the Mikki Katz outside of work? What do you do to unwind and relax on a weekend?
Drink! No seriously, come Friday 5pm I’m cracking beers or a wine to salute another week gone by. Our kids (seven and five) keep us busy with weekend sports. In and around that, I try and squeeze a bike ride in, golf (if I’m lucky) and fixing my lawn that I’ve managed to ruin in two years.
What’s your favourite show on P+ and why?
The Offer. I’m a big Godfather fan, so loved seeing the backstory of how that came to be. Mathew Goode who plays Robert Evans, is brilliant and worth the watch alone.
