Massah DavidPhoto: Robert Ector
How they got their start: This year mark's the duo's 20th year in business. MVD Inc. initially launched as a public relations firm, and evolved into a creative agency.
"Both Massah and I come from very different backgrounds professionally, which plays a role in our agency's unconventional approach," Johnson explains. "I come from a journalistic background and started the agency after landing what I thought would be my dream job at Dow Jones—but quickly learned my heart was in entertainment. Massah came from the music industry as a marketing executive and truly wanted to create a space where she could be creative without limitations."
Miatta JohnsonPhoto: Robert Ector
What innovation means to them: To David and Johnson, innovation is all about disruption—"going against the grain and planting a flag in undiscovered territory," David explains. "It’s extremely important to us to remain innovative and forward-thinking; that is truly what drives us. There is a certain magic that comes with discovery, whether it’s from scouting unique locations or reimaging how we approach a 360 campaign. For MVD, thinking ahead excites us and fuels our passion to do what’s next."
How they stay inspired: "Culture is our pulse and keeps us inspired," the pair explains. "Whether it’s through film, art, fashion, tech, or music, we love to live at the intersection where all of those worlds can meet, as they all inspire us in different ways."
Memorable moments: Working on Kanye West's three-city Donda tour stands out to David and Johnson.
"Not only was it a global cultural moment, but it was historic in so many ways," they explain. "The five-week rollout took fans around the world on a visual listening tour with three unique stadium experiences in Atlanta and Chicago. The nontraditional listening events welcomed over 50,000 fans to each experience, as millions watched globally. The tour-level production fused with stunning visual storytelling and performance art was live-streamed; the first of its kind. The listening experiences broke Apple’s Livestreaming records."
The MVD Inc. team created the Dope Africans event series, which celebrates African creatives that are breaking barriers in the entertainment industry.Photo: Jorge Meza
"Birthed out of the idea of celebrating our duality as Africans and as first-generation Liberian Americans, this gathering celebrates the richness of the diaspora," the duo explains. "We wanted to create a space where we can further develop a community of African creatives that are breaking barriers across the entertainment industry, while unapologetically and proudly embracing our roots. It has become a safe space where we celebrate African music, food, fashion, and all that we are."
Their favorite thing about the experiential industry: "The ability to tell a story through experiences and providing a space for connection," they say. "There is so much power in human connection, and the experiential industry sets the stage for it."
Back to the full list: 20 Experiential Experts Changing the Future of Consumer Events
