Robert C. Profusek (born January 7, 1980) is an Emmy-nominated[1][2] American filmmaker, producer, entertainment executive, and entrepreneur, best known for Kusama: Infinity (2018),[3] The Girl Is in Trouble (2015)[4][5][6] and Holy Rollers (2010).[7][8]
Profusek is founder and executive producer of Digital Harvest Media,[9] a development and execution stage media and entertainment incubator that has projects in various states of production and release including Born Free (2023),[10][11] Queen of New York (2023),[12] the live-action short film Ted & Noel (2023), as well as Without a Doubt (in production), 8X10 (post-production) and Ketchup & Watermelon (post-production).[13]
Early life and education
Robert C. Profusek was born January 7, 1980, in Cleveland, Ohio to Linda and Robert A. Profusek, an attorney partner with the law practice of Jones Day.[14][15][16] He attended Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut that included a semester abroad at Oxford Sixth Form College.[17] Profusek earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Political Science and Government from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.[11][16][18][19]
Career
Profusek began his career as an investment banker with Lazard Ltd (formerly known as Lazard Frères & Co.)[11] before transitioning to combine financial and business experience to the entertainment and media industry, initially joining independent production company Kaleidoscope Productions as an Associate to Production and Emerging Pictures in coverage.[20] In 2006, Profusek joined Lee Daniels Entertainment as an Associate Producer to work on the feature film Tennessee.[21][22]
In 2007, Profusek founded Toy Closet Films, an independent production company, where he oversaw production of feature films, television pilots, web-series, shorts and mobile apps, shepherding over 100 branded collaborations spanning all categories of media.[16] Toy Closet content was recognized with awards and nominations including The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Sundance Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), the Museum of Modern Art/MoMA, SXSW Conference and Festivals, San Diego International Comic-Con and the Tribeca Film Festival, as part of featured distribution partnerships with distributors including HBO, Showtime, Focus Features, Magnolia Pictures, Amazon Studios, Netflix and iTunes.[23][2]
From 2011 to 2012, Profusek served as a programming consultant at YouTube, an executive producer at Condé Nast Publishing where for six years he had oversight of content strategy, live streaming, and business development for GQ, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Condé Nast Traveler, The New Yorker, Style.com and WWD.[23][24]
Prior to the merger and subsequent reverse IPO, starting in 2019, Profusek served as General Manager and Chief Creative Officer of Bellrock Brands, a family of state-legal cannabis goods.[23] The same year, he expanded on his start-up Digital Harvest Capital to include Digital Harvest Media as he pivoted to more active non-profit and investment work.
Profusek's professional memberships include the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and Video Consortium, the global nonprofit media organization that connects and supports nonfiction filmmakers and visual journalists.[11]
Public activities
Profusek is actively involved with multiple philanthropic organizations including being on the board of The Mother Lovers, a non-profitraising awareness about maternal health in the United States, and as the Chairman/President of the Shelter Island Food Pantry.[25]
Personal life
In June 2013, Profusek married noted New York physician and scientist Thomas Urban Marron and resides in New York City and Shelter Island, NY.[16][26]
Awards
| Year | Title | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Holy Rollers | Deauville Film Festival | Winner Cartier Revelation Prize | [27] |
| Sundance Film Festival | Nominee - Grand Jury Prize | [28] | ||
| 2010 | Down in No 5 | Student Academy Awards | Narrative Nominee | [29] |
| 2012 | Big Man | Dubai International Film Festival | Muhr AsiaAfrica Award – nominee | [30] |
| 2012 | Bastards of Young | IFP/Woodstock Film Festival | Nominee | [31][32] |
| 2013 | Without Shepherds | Slamdance Film Festival | Nominee | [33] |
| 2013 | Some Velvet Morning | Tribeca Film Festival | Nominee | [34] |
| 2013 | Birders Guide to Everything | Tribeca Film Festival | Nominee | [35] |
| 2014 | Strictly Ballet | Webby Awards | Nominee | [36] |
| Telly Awards | Bronze Winner | [37] | ||
| New York Film Festival | Nominee | [38] | ||
| Streamy Awards | Nominee | [39] | ||
| 2015 | Global Threads | Telly Awards | Bronze Winner (Online Video-Documentary) | [40] |
| 2016 | Gentlemen Lobsters | Webby Awards | Winner, Nominee Weird | [41] |
| 2018 | Angelique | Emmy Awards | Nominee, Outstanding Feature in a News Magazine | [42] |
| 2018 | Charlottesville: Race and Terror/VICE News Tonight | Emmy Awards | Winner, Best Story in a Newscast | [42] |
| 2023 | Ted and Noel | Iris Film Festival | Winner, Audience Prize | [43] |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Szmolinsky | Executive Producer | Short |
| 2008 | The Boundary | Producer | Short |
| 2008 | Push Button House | Producer | Short |
| 2008 | Saveta's Gift | Producer | Short |
| 2008 | Tennessee | Producers's Assistant | Feature |
| 2009 | Cuts | Producer | Short |
| 2009 | Down in Number 5 | Co-Producer | Short |
| 2010 | Holy Rollers | Co-Producer | Feature |
| 2010 | Porcelain and Diamonds | Producer | Short |
| 2010 | Last Glimmer of Day | Executive Producer | Short |
| 2011 | Wwjd | Associate Producer | Short |
| 2011 | Salaam Dunk | Distribution Executive (uncredited) | Feature |
| 2012 | Big Man | Producer | Short |
| 2013 | A Birder's Guide to Everything | Executive Producer | Feature |
| 2013 | Some Velvet Morning | Executive Producer | Feature |
| 2013 | Without Shepherds | Producer | Feature |
| 2013 | Bastards of Young | Producer | Feature |
| 2015 | The Girl Is in Trouble | Producer | Feature |
| 2015 | Magic City | Consulting Producer (uncredited) | Short |
| 2017 | Angelique | Executive Producer | Short |
| 2018 | Kusama: Infinity | Co-Producer | Feature |
| 2023 | Without A Doubt | Producer | Feature |
| 2023 | 8 x 10 | Executive Producer | Short |
| 2023 | Born Free | Producer | Feature |
| 2023 | Queen of New York | Producer | Feature |
| 2023 | Ted & Noel | Producer | Short |
| 2024 | Ketchup & Watermelon | Producer | Feature (Post Production) |
TV
| Year | Title | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The 3 Bits | Producer | TV Series,4 episodes |
| 2013 | Back to School | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 19 episodes |
| 2013 | Front Row Unfiltered | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 16 episodes |
| 2013 | 24 Hours in Young Hollywood | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2013 | Fashion at Work | supervising producer | TV Series, 12 episodes |
| 2013 | Alex Trow in Twenty Five | producer | TV Series, 4 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | My Room Makeover | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 21 episodes |
| 2014 | Global Threads | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2014 | My Prom Makeover | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 7 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Teen Vogue 3 Steps To | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 29 episodes |
| 2014 | Letter from the Editors | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 6 episodes |
| 2014 | Beauty Icons | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 15 episodes |
| 2014 | Get the Look | executive producer, supervising producer | TV Series, 13 episodes |
| 2014 | Teen Vogue Beauty Crisis | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 10 episodes |
| 2014 | Young Hollywood | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | The Scene We the Economy | distribution executive | TV Mini Series, 15 episodes |
| 2014 | The New Yorker Festival | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 29 episodes |
| 2014 | In the Mood For... | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 12 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Outfit of the Day | executive producer, supervising producer | TV Series, 59 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Breakfast with Bevan | supervising producer, executive producer | TV Series, 35 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Bryan Boy Goes to College | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 10 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | Throwback Thursdays with Tim Blanks | producer, supervising producer, executive producer (early first season) | TV Series, 67 episodes |
| 2015 | Influencer Journeys | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 3 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Teen Vogue All Access | executive producer, producer | TV Mini Series, 19 episodes |
| 2015 | Condé Nast Traveler Wanderlist | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 3 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | I Am Eco Warrior | producer | TV Series, 28 episodes |
| 2015 | Sweet Spots | executive producer | TV Mini Series,19 episodes |
| 2015 | Most Amazing Cakes | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 7 episodes |
| 2015 | College Fashionista | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Headliners | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 18 episodes |
| 2015 | Fan Gifts | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Strictly Ballet | executive producer, supervising producer | TV Series, 37 episodes |
| 2015 | Shea Marie Instagram How-Tos | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Lizzie's Film, Everyone's Story | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Kandee Now | executive producer | TV Series, 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Bon Appétit Doggie Bag | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Salaam Dunk | distribution executive, executive producer | TV Mini Series 7 episodes |
| 2015 | Bon Appétit Into the Wild with Tyler MacNiven | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | Besties supervising | producer, executive producer | TV Series, 39 episodes |
| 2015 | Sneakerheadz | distribution executive | TV Mini Series, 13 episodes |
| 2015 | Bon Appétit Weed Baking | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Bon Appétit Thanksgiving Chef Hacks | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Cookie Swap: Bon Appétit | executive producer | TV Mini Series 7 episodes |
| 2015 | Inside GQ's Man of the Year | executive producer | TV Mini Series 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Bon Appétit Holiday Cocktail Hacks | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 3 episodes |
| 2015 | GQ No Shave November | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Teen Vogue YouTube Host: Claudia Sulewski | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 30 episodes |
| 2015 | GQ Where's the Bar | executive producer | TV Series, 13 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | GQ Women React | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2014–2016 | Teen Vogue's the Cover supervising | Producer, executive producer | TV Series, 44 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Bon Appétit Ingredients | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 3 episodes |
| 2016 | GQ Getting High and Getting Ready | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Kitchen Lab | executive producer | TV Series, 26 episodes |
| 2016 | GQ: Fashion First Looks | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Bon Appétit: Sara & Sarah Protip | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Kids Try | executive producer | TV Series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | GQ: At Home Workouts | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Bon Appétit: 24 Hours In | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 3 episodes |
| 2016 | No Filter | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | GQ: The Grind | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 5 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Epicurious: Cooking Magic | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 5 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Bon Appétit: Cook Like a Pro | executive producer | TV Series, 26 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Epicurious: 3 Steps To | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 36 episodes |
| 2016 | Bon Appetit Influencer Journeys | executive producer | TV Mini Series,2 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | GQ Style | executive producer | TV Mini Series,18 episodes |
| 2016 | GQ: Most Expensivest Shit | executive producer | TV Series, 17 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Eat.Stay.Love: Conde Nast Traveler | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 10 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Eat.Stay.Love: Bon Appétit | executive producer, producer | TV Series, 11 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Epicurious: Secret History Of | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Vanity Fair: The New Establishment | executive producer | TV Special |
| 2016 | Glamour Women of the Year | executive producer | TV Special |
| 2015–2016 | GQ Vince Staples | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 8 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Bong Appétit | development executive | TV Series, 30 episodes |
| 2013 | The 3 Bits | producer | TV Series,4 episodes |
| 2013 | Back to School | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 19 episodes |
| 2013 | Front Row Unfiltered | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 16 episodes |
| 2013 | 24 Hours in Young Hollywood | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2013 | Fashion at Work | supervising producer | TV Series, 12 episodes |
| 2013 | Alex Trow in Twenty Five | producer | TV Series, 4 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | My Room Makeover | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 21 episodes |
| 2014 | Global Threads | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 4 episodes |
| 2014 | My Prom Makeover | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 7 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Teen Vogue 3 Steps To | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 29 episodes |
| 2014 | Letter from the Editors | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 6 episodes |
| 2014 | Beauty Icons | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 15 episodes |
| 2014 | Get the Look | executive producer, supervising producer | TV Series, 13 episodes |
| 2014 | Teen Vogue Beauty Crisis | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 10 episodes |
| 2014 | Young Hollywood | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | The Scene We the Economy | distribution executive | TV Mini Series, 15 episodes |
| 2014 | The New Yorker Festival | executive producer | TV Mini Series, 29 episodes |
| 2014 | In the Mood For... | supervising producer | TV Mini Series, 12 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Outfit of the Day | executive producer, supervising producer | TV Series, 59 episodes |
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