Born and raised in Connecticut. My first job was for IBM Global Services in Southbury where my role was to support their technology center and where I learned IT administration. I then moved to Boston for college and worked for Pitney Bowes operating a printing center inside of a large law firm, and as the General Manager for a Newbury Street salon.
California had always been calling my name so by 2014 I had made the exciting move to Los Angeles where I began work as an Executive Assistant and House Manager. Having the pleasure of working with celebrities, coordinating complex travel schedules, and managing large properties with staff.
In 2018 I accepted a position with the Production Company Critical Content to work on a Bravo home renovation show as a Set Decorator. This is where I began to learn all the ins and outs of working in high volume, fast paced Production!
Later that year I accepted my role with TPC and have happily been here ever since! I am very proud to be a part of this amazing team!
I support our commercial incentives team, making sure each project is prepared for success!
Commercial Incentives
Eric Bunton
Director
I was born on the island of Oahu but grew up in Florida. College took me to Clemson, South Carolina where I studied Marketing at Clemson University (Go Tigers!). After graduation I moved to London, England and worked at The King’s Head and Eight Bells pub pulling pints. What else do you do after college, right? Upon return to the States, I began my graduate studies at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, graduating with an MBA in International Finance. From there it was off to Chicago, Illinois where I worked as a consultant for Ernst & Young and then IBM.
After too many icy, cold winters I decided it was time to move to warm, sunny California! Los Angeles provided me with many job opportunities, including some acting jobs on The Young & the Restless, The Newsroom and Days of Our Lives. Between acting jobs, I began searching for a new career path which could utilize all my past studies and experiences. During my search I discovered TPC where I found a great fit and some new friends!
Manage the audit collection and preparation for Production Company commercial shoot expenses which will be submitted for incentives our clients receive.
Commercial Incentives
Ces Calingasan-Tabios
Director
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Applied Corporate Management from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. A month before my graduation (yes, I was that eager to earn my own $), I started my banking career with Standard Chartered Bank doing Final Taxes and Foreign Exchange. But since I was young and adventurous (not to mention a little reckless), I decided to move to Singapore four years later. I worked for The Royal Bank of Scotland managing Trade portfolios while also developing and implementing trade finance procedures and policies for Asia.
I was already planning to follow my husband to LA when the bank announced its closure in 2015. I stayed for another year (one last hurrah!) and was appointed as the Officer-in-Charge for the portfolio management and closure of Trade products in Asia. In 2017, after much convincing and bribery from my husband, I moved to LA. I worked for US Bank handling export and import financing. Everything was as I planned in my career, but motherhood (and not to mention, the pandemic) has set me to a different path. Motherhood and career didn’t really go well until TPC presented an amazing opportunity I could not resist. Having a fulfilling career and being a mother is still possible after all.
I am happy and proud to be part of a Company that not only values integrity and positivity, but also empowers women in their professional journey.
I audit and prepare tax documentation for commercial shoots.
Commercial Incentives
Stephanie Fay
Agency Account Executive
Born and raised in the Second City, I’ve always been interested in the intricate workings behind the scenes of production and the magic it brings to life. This interest is what propelled me into a career in advertising production. During my time as a producer, I was introduced to the tax incentive program and the awesome team at TPC. Seeing the exceptional work they did firsthand is what gave me the idea of pivoting to the account manager side of the business. Armed with the strong-standing relationships I’ve fostered as a producer and the support from TPC, the transition was seamless!
In my free time, you can find me scouring Facebook Marketplace for the perfect new treasure or on the golf course using colorful language between swings.
As an agency account executive, I act as the liaison between our agency partners and TPC.
Commercial Incentives
Lindsay Howerton
Director
After I graduated East Carolina University, I left having a love of pirates and headed to Washington DC were I began my career in political fundraising. I started off as the front desk girl at Ogilvy Government relation and moved up to fundraising for Congressional campaigns.
In 2010 I bought a one way ticket and moved to sunny California and the rest was history.
I have been working in commercial tax incentives since 2017 and have loved getting to know the ins and outs of this very niche industry.
I communicate with agencies to collect and analyze materials that are needed for the tax incentive filings for commercial shoots.
Commercial Incentives
Savannah Meginnis
Associate Director – Account Executive
I was born and raised in Maryland. I went to college there for two years prior to transferring to and graduating from Cal State Northridge. With a passion for helping people, I worked as a pediatric speech therapist for 8 years prior to completely switching gears and joining the amazing team at TPC. Somehow, I’ve now been in Los Angeles for almost 10 years! I love the weather and the endless things to do here. I love the Baltimore Ravens and my dog, Doobie.
I work as a part of the commercial incentives team! My role as an account executive is to manage our client accounts, to ensure the application of production incentives goes smoothly from start to finish.
Commercial Incentives
Mindy Mettner
Vice President
I grew up in the Midwest and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Psychology. I began my career in non-profit research and have worked across many fields including education, technology, and most recently, advertising. I currently reside in Chicago and am very happy to now be a part of the TPC team!
In my free time I enjoy travel, scuba diving, yoga, volunteering, anything that has to do with spending time with animals, and binge-watching true crime shows or anything on BBC.
My role includes understanding and shepherding incentive projects as well as developing and maintaining Agency and Production company relationships to increase incentive awareness and success. I work closely with the Sales Team, to ensure upfront incentive strategy, and the Audit Preparation Team, to ensure maximum returns.
Commercial Incentives
TPC
Dawn Musser-Sepanik
Senior Vice President
Once I graduated high school in 1987, I started gearing up to go to Cosmetology school. Within that year, I found out I was going to be a mom. 20 years old with a new born was life changing for me and for the better. I became razor focused on being the best mom and giving my child the best life I could. But being a cosmetologist wasn’t going to be the best move for me with a young child. I needed a better plan!
On a beautiful day in August, 1989, my little boy came into my world. I had already taken my general education courses, so I decided to enroll in a business college to become a paralegal. While working 2 jobs and maintaining a 4.0 GPA, I graduated early and began my career in the legal industry. I was immediately placed at a law firm that specialized in Patent law (very boring). During my first week at that job, I was invited to join an office pool for the IL State Lottery. I decided to join and my boss covered my $6 entry fee. The next day, we WON!! Being pegged the “lucky charm” from that pool, I was so excited. The winnings were not enough to live a lavish lifestyle, but it definitely helped this single mom and her son get ahead in life.
After a couple more years it the legal industry, I felt it just wasn’t me. I decided to leave my career and jump head first into the advertising arena. Instantly, I felt like I was where I needed to be. I started on the agency side working in Account Management before transitioning to the Production department where I’ve spent over 20 years. At my last agency job, I was the Director of Business Affairs and built an amazing team. We worked together for 3 years before the agency had to shut down. Needing a bit of break, I ended up getting the best break yet. The team at TPC invited me to join them. We worked together on many incentives over the years and I truly enjoyed being around this team. It was my BEST move yet. I get to work with smart an amazing people while continuing to work with the agency folks that have been family to me over the years.
Work with Advertisers and Agencies in maximizing their production budgets through production incentives. Our team educates, informs as is the “go to” resource for this discipline.
Commercial Incentives
Kylie Ruehl
Managing Director – Head of Commercials
Focusing on overall strategy for our Commercial Division, we work with brands and their ad agencies to navigate and maximize the wild world of production tax incentives, getting cash back on their commercials!
For questions about Commercial Incentives, please email kruehl@tpc.us.
Commercial Incentives
Phil The Dog
Chief Incentive Fetcher
I help to fetch the production incentives from all over the US! I like to think of incentives as treats for advertisers shooting in certain states – cash savings doesn’t taste as good as chicken, but I can’t complain. Before helping fetch incentives I would nap about 20 hours a day, and still try to when I can. You may find me networking at an event for the Association of National Advertisers, if you see me come say hello and I will shake your paw. My favorite commercial we have worked on is everything for Tyson Foods – CHICKEN
Commercial Incentives
Steven Ward
Director
I was born and raised in Chicago but recently moved to Los Angeles when I realized I can live places that don’t have cold winters. I earned a degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University (Go Tony Romo). Prior to working for TPC, I worked for a day trading company trading options on agricultural futures. I have really come to enjoy my time here in LA and am glad I took a leap of faith not knowing what the future would hold for me here.
I currently work with the TPC Agency Audit Prep Team. My duties include analyzing all the transactions made to film a commercial and then deciding what can be used to qualify for a tax rebate.
Resources
New to incentives?
Grab our Quick Guide for a straightforward overview of the world of incentives!
Prefer data?
Check out our report with WBR, highlighting some trends and hurdles brands face when implementing production incentives into their strategy!
Are you involved in advertising and commercial production, having explored incentives but now
seeking a comprehensive guide to deepen your understanding? Our Full Guide has your back! Tailored for
advertisers and commercial producers like you, it enhances your incentive knowledge, maximizing your cash
returns.
Inside our Full Guide, you’ll find:
Understanding Production Incentives: Gain insights into what production incentives
entail and how they can benefit your production.
State Rankings: Gain valuable insights with rankings of states, helping you
strategically assess what states to consider.
State Factors to Consider: Uncover all the factors essential for decision-making,
ensuring a thorough assessment of different states, program dates, and websites for further information.
Terminology Dictionary: Find definitions of essential words and terms.
Networking Opportunities: Discover valuable networking events designed to connect you
with industry experts and peers.
FAQs: Find clarity on frequently asked questions.
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Industry Report
TPC partnered with WBR to survey 100 advertisers to produce a report exploring trends and
barriers brands face when implementing incentives into their strategy!
In this report you will find data and responses from industry leaders to questions like:
How did you become aware of state production incentives?
Have state incentives been prioritized in your organization, and in what ways?
What is your most prominent internal hurdle to leveraging these incentives?
What is your most prominent external hurdle to leveraging these incentives?
Guidance on production guideline language, and more!
Download this PDF to gain industry insights!
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