About

Rush Powers Media is a creative communications company led by seasoned media veterans who are dedicated to telling your story. We offer full-service video production – for web, DVD, HD presentations, mobile and/or broadcast. We also manage and produce web and print projects. Whether we’re working with nonprofits, foundations, schools, small businesses, or large companies our priority is always the same: mold a clear, concise and compelling message that effectively targets your audience. We work with the utmost efficiency – thoroughly planning ahead and gracefully adapting to change – to complete the work on time and on budget.

Speaking of budgets – we’re more than willing to work with you to settle on a project that fits within yours.  We produce top-quality work, but we won’t charge you high-end prices. We want to help you realize your communications goals by offering you rates you can afford.

Testimonials

Our Team

Dave Powers: Video Production Supervisor

Dave brings more than 14 years of TV/video production experience to Rush Powers Media, and oversees all video projects from start to finish. Depending on the scope of the project, he also takes on one – or several – of the following roles: project manager, script writer, field producer/interviewer/director, camera operator, video editor, and motion graphics artist.

For Rush Powers Media's largest ongoing project – producing video clips that accompany each physician's online profile on the Rush University Medical Center website – Dave has interviewed nearly 300 physicians (as of December 2011...with 100 more physicians slated to be interviewed by June 2012).      

Before focusing on Rush Powers Media full-time, Dave worked in network, cable and mobile television producing investigative documentaries, news magazine series, daily news briefs, promotional segments, interview segments, celebrity-hosted shows, live-to-tape music performances, live-to-tape talk shows, VJ segments and more. He was worked for channels including MTV, MTV2, VH1, CBS/King World, Court TV, AMC and Sprint TV's SEE Music and has interviewed and directed hundreds of musicians, actors and athletes.

See a select list of Dave's TV production credits
See a select list of celebrity talent Dave has interviewed and directed

Throughout his time working in entertainment/television, Dave was expected to think creatively, while delivering each project on budget and on time. He was also called on to create clear, concise and compelling stories that connected with the target audience. He incorporates all of these attributes and experiences into Rush Powers Media video productions.

Leah Rush: Web, Print and Data Projects Supervisor

As a multiple-award-winning, nonprofit professional for more than 14 years, Leah has developed a unique combination of project management, communications, fundraising, and journalism skills. She wears several hats at Rush Powers Media as the supervisor of all web, print and data projects. Depending on a project's needs, she'll either direct a team of designers and developers, create content for a website or printed report, or clean up, analyze and maintain robust databases.

Leah also wears another notable hat outside of Rush Powers Media. She is currently the part-time Executive Director of the Midwest Democracy Network, building brand awareness and supporting organizational development.

For the first 10 years of her professional career, Leah was a staff member at The Center for Public Integrity, a Washington, D.C.-based online journalism nonprofit. As Director of State Projects, she initiated and oversaw dozens of online-only reports examining ethics and special interests’ influence in statehouses across the nation, covering topics such as conflicts of interest among legislators, spending by industry lobbyists and the financial activity of state political parties. As Editorial Projects Coordinator at the Center, she supported multiple departments, synchronized copy flow, liaised with contractors and contributed to the communications scheme for wide-ranging investigations.

Projects under Leah’s direction garnered 10 national honors for online journalism, including three from CapitolBeat: The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors and five consecutive public service awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

See a list of Leah's Center for Public Integrity projects

Regan Souders: Producer/Video Editor

For Regan, a decade and a half of agency experience brings with it – well – a lot of experience.  Being a little bit right-brained, and a little bit left-brained, he has been fortunate to work as both an account executive, and as a creative professional. The result is a complementary mix of producer/editor skills, and client-based strategic thinking that fits right in at Rush Powers Media.

Regan has written and produced numerous television commercials, radio commercials, corporate identity pieces, case studies and instructional videos. Much of his recent work has been as the senior writer and producer for the nationally syndicated TV show, HouseSmarts with Lou Manfredini. Working on the show from its inception, Regan oversaw every aspect of production: budgets, talent, supporting producers, content development, field production, even the transition to HD delivery.

Regan’s production career began at WGN Radio in Chicago. There, he produced The Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan for over half a decade.

Before making the leap to production work, Regan logged more than six years of account service experience at marketing agencies for national accounts like Chamberlain Garage Door Openers, Marvin Windows & Doors and Char-Broil Grills. Focusing on his client’s goals, message and budget has always been an integral part of his work. 

Scott Foley: Director of Photography

Scott has been an independent filmmaker and freelance cinematographer 
for more than a decade. His experience ranges from shooting corporate 
video and television shows to writing, directing and editing festival-award-winning shorts. In his role as Director of Photography at Rush Powers Media he’s tasked with creating stunning visuals
 through careful manipulation of both camera and lighting. He also
 keeps abreast of the new and ever-changing technologies used in the
 creation of HD content.

Scott is especially pleased to have played a key role in developing
 the look for the Find-a-Doctor profile videos that Rush Powers Media
 is producing for the Rush University Medical Center website. He served
 as cinematographer for the nearly 300 interviews shot as of December 2011
 (with 100 more slated to be recorded by June 2012).

Some of Scott’s film and video projects have recently won prizes at The Wisconsin Film Festival, The Iowa International Film Festival, The 
Athens International Film Festival, and his latest accomplishment, a screening at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. Over the years, Scott has also completed projects with NBC, MTV, A&E, TLC, WETV,
 Spike TV, The Style Network, and Comedy Central.



See a list of Scott’s television production credits

In addition to his work in the field, Scott is delighted to teach
 part-time at Columbia College Chicago, where he instructs the next
 generation of film and video makers on topics such as producing,
 screenwriting and cinematography.