CONVENTION DAILY

Denver Operatives: Ricky Kirshner & Mark Squire

by Brian Friel

Mon. Jul 28, 2008



Denver's production kingpins
Photos courtesy of the Democratic National Convention Committee

Co-Executive Producers

In 1968, legendary music man Don Kirshner was producing The Archie Show, an animated TV show about a pop group, and Bob Squier was consulting for Hubert Humphrey's presidential campaign. Forty years later, their sons--each of whom followed in his father's professional footsteps--are working together as co-executive producers for the convention.

From stage design to audio to lighting, Kirshner and Squier are responsible for the look and feel of Obama's formal introduction to the nation as the Democratic presidential nominee. Kirshner--who also produced the Emmy Awards, the Tony Awards, and the Boston Pops' Fourth of July show this summer--is Mr. Hollywood (even though he's from New York). He's responsible for the entertainment values of the convention production. Squier, a veteran PR man who worked on Dean's 2004 White House campaign, is Mr. Washington, charged with inculcating the production with the desired political messages.

Although Kirshner has spent much of his career in showbiz, he's no stranger to political conventions. His first job--albeit unpaid--was as a page at the 1976 Democratic convention in New York. He also helped to produce the past three c onventions. This is Squier's first convention gig.

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