Strega Studios

Word on the street is that attendance at Portland Community Squash's new facility is up 300% following their expansion -- but we can't say we're surprised! Excitement was building even before the ribbon was cut. Huge congratulations to a client who gave us one of our most meaningful projects last year helping them build anticipation for their annual fundraising gala. #fundraising #videomarketing #nonprofitvideo

Affordable, multi-generational housing built from recycled plastic bottles? It sounds like a pipe dream—but the team at Op Box is making it a reality right here in Woolwich, Maine. Benjamin, Emily, and their team are behind EDURA, a composite panel made from recycled PET. It’s durable, easy to use, and already shaping residential, retail, and infrastructure projects across the U.S. We sat down with them to talk about their journey, what drew them to entrepreneurship, and what it means to build something truly innovative in Maine. Stay tuned for the full video soon!

They say never meet your heroes—but Jocelyn Olsen and Colin Greig of Hüga prove that wrong. Their heated pillows didn’t just make outdoor dining possible during Maine’s brutal winters; they helped restaurants survive. The best part? Their passion for what they do is just as strong as their impact. Strega Studios sat down with them to talk about their entrepreneurial journey, the lessons they’ve learned, and how Maine Technology Institute helped them turn an idea into a business. Stay tuned for the final video when it's ready.

We braved the winter storm with James Helms to capture the story told by the amazing Jennifer McAdoo, executive director of Furniture Friends. This tremendous non-profit provides furnishings to hundreds of families every year, helping turn housing into homes. We’re excited to share how this thread weaves into the piece we’re building for In Her Presence for their annual fundraising gala.

Winters in Maine can feel like a waiting game—holding out for snow to soften the deep freeze. Yesterday, I found myself in the right place at the right time praying for some precipitation. Before a shoot at the site of an old convent, the snow came down hard. I couldn’t resist grabbing some dynamic establishing shots! As a video producer, I’m always looking for ways to create an atmosphere in my work. Sometimes, nature does the job for me better than I ever could have planned. Check out this quick piece I put together—before the snow melts!

I was a competitive swimmer, in a former life. I know how deep the bonds go that are formed in the pool. It was a joy getting the opportunity to film In Her Presence participants during one of their community building events hosted at Westbrook's public pool. Looking for a way to support this powerful non-profit? Make sure to mark your calendar for their Together We Shine gala on March 13, 2025!

At the end of 2024, I committed to increasing the volume of pro bono work I took on as a way to provide value and support to organizations doing everything they can to strengthen our communities, especially those who seek to protect the vulnerable and uplift the marginalized. When I made that announcement, I was inundated with requests. Today was the first shoot for the first 2025 pro bono project, a wonderful organization called In Her Presence. Their mission is to build community, provide resources, and provide educational support to help them integrate into their new home state. I was made aware of this organization by James Helms, who has run in concentric video production circles with me for as long as I can remember. This production, a partnership between two complete video nerds, has already proven to be an awesome way to connect with new people, tell great stories, and make something beautiful. I cannot wait to share it when it’s ready…

I won’t bury the lede: as of today, Strega Studios will no longer operate channels on X or any Meta properties. Additionally, I will no longer offer channel management services for these platforms. Sometimes the hardest decision is knowing when to walk away. It’s easy to overlook toxicity when you’ve been invested for years—sunk cost fallacy and all that. I started my marketing career in a time when we had to persuade leadership that social media was a valuable tool for customer engagement and lead generation. Today, it’s a given, with billions poured into teams, ads, and content. But the platforms themselves have changed, and not for the better. "Social media" as a concept is dominated by monopolies that act with impunity—eroding user experiences, hiking prices, and slashing content moderation. I've seen the steep decline in ROI on Meta ad spend play out in real-time, meanwhile AI slop and bot content proliferates. These decisions drive users away while emboldening harmful behavior. So, what was the final straw? I think we all know. This week, after one leader’s actions, my social feed resembled a Leni Riefenstahl film. LGBTQ+ and female colleagues are reeling from new moderation policies allowing people to refer to women as objects and dehumanize Trans individuals with slurs. I’m done. Strega Studios will no longer manage Facebook, Instagram, or X accounts. I won’t recommend ad spend on these platforms, and I won’t offer social media management services for them, either. What hasn’t changed is my commitment to producing high-quality content that drives growth. How you use that content is your choice, and I’m proud of the results we’ve delivered together. This isn’t the end of social media marketing. Platforms rise and fall—no one thought MySpace could be dethroned in 2009. Decentralized platforms like Bluesky Social, Mastodon, and others are gaining traction, and I’m actively exploring those avenues. Thank you for your understanding and trust. I look forward to continuing our partnership as the digital ecosystem evolves.

Our new year's resolution? Eat more kelp! We had the opportunity to try a bunch of awesome products at Atlantic Sea Farms in December, from kelp burgers to gochujang fermented kelp. What can we say: we're converted! 2025 will be the year of seaweed-based umami flavor bombs.

When I first launched a freelance creative studio, I thought I had the perfect name: "Tulpamancer" — inspired by the idea of bringing thoughts to life with enough focus and energy. It felt magical, meaningful, and unique. But in practice? A little too esoteric (I'll wear the "nerd" badge with pride). And, let’s be honest, it was pretty hard to pronounce. So, after some reflection (and a lesson in clarity), I’m excited to share our new name: Strega Studios. The mission hasn’t changed. We’re still your go-to partner for thought leadership, brand strategy, and world-class multimedia content — now with a name that’s easier to remember and rooted in something more personal and memorable. "Strega" means “witch” in Italian, and it represents the magic, creativity, and irreverence that drive our work. Plus, who doesn’t love a little alliteration? Here’s to embracing change, honoring the past, and stepping boldly into the future. Welcome to Strega Studios — same magic, new name. Let’s create something extraordinary together!