L&R’s video services may be relatively new, but the partnership behind them isn’t.
Mike King and Wes Driver have spent years working together across multiple companies and a multitude of videos–everything from healthcare content to online docuseries to national commercials to creative comedy shorts.
Today, they’re helping establish and grow L&R’s video capabilities as part of the company’s expanding creative offerings, working alongside print, design, and merch production, to give clients a more complete communications toolkit.
We caught up with Mike and Wes to talk about how they got here, what they’re building at L&R, and a few questions that reveal who they are when the cameras aren’t rolling.
So let’s start with the fundamentals. Mike, what’s been your history with video production?
Mike: Well, that’s been the backbone of my career, really from the beginning. I’ve started several production companies over the years—built them from the ground up. And have done just about every kind of content—sports, music, entertainment—but have always had I particular passion for healthcare-related video.
Why so?
Mike: I just love feel-good stories. I love inspirational content. And there’s so much of that there. It’s the kind of content, the kind of stories, that makes a very visible, positive impact in people’s lives. And I love to be a part of it in any way I can.
You said you’ve built a number of different production companies. How did you end up with L&R?
Mike: I’ve been friends with many of the people at L&R for years. At one point, my previous production company, Neon, was actually headquartered inside L&R’s offices, so joining forces eventually felt like a natural progression. Now, I’m able to help grow both our video capabilities and L&R’s broader services—print, our suite of tech solutions. It’s exciting because we can now offer clients a much more comprehensive creative toolbox.
Wes, what about you? How did you get into video production?
Wes: Video has always been a big part of my life, even if it wasn’t how my career started. I was making movies throughout high school and college, just because I loved it. I eventually wanted to become a filmmaker, a writer/director. But my career actually began in publishing, as a copywriter and editor. In 2006, I joined HCA Healthcare in corporate communications, where I was hired primarily as a writer. Over time, though, I became the internal video resource, helping develop concepts, write scripts, oversee productions, all while helping build their internal capabilities. That’s actually how Mike and I met.
Tell us that story.
Wes: Mike’s company was one of HCA’s primary production partners. So we started collaborating on project after project—recruitment videos, commercials, impact stories—and developed a great working relationship.
Mike: We discovered pretty quickly we had a lot of the same ideas and attitudes about things—loved pushing corporate video into more creative places. So, at some point, around 2020, I convinced Wes to join Neon as Creative Director, and we’ve been working together ever since.
What’s been some of your favorite projects?
Mike: Early on in our work together, Wes and I discovered a mutual interest in using projections. It’s a technique you see a lot in sports hype videos. So we devised an approach for an HCA video–a partnership with the March of Dimes—that I’m still really proud of.
Wes: I always especially enjoy the videos that require a bit of creative scripting. When I was with HCA, every year, I would be responsible for developing comedic content for their IT department’s All Hands meetings. That’s, fortunately, become a tradition we’ve been asked to continue even after I left.
Anything you’re currently working on that you’re particularly excited about?
Mike: Absolutely—it’s the podcast studio we’re building here at L&R. I love podcasts. Personally, it’s just one of my favorite developments in media in the last few years. And it’s become such an effective way for organizations to connect with their audiences. Anyway, we saw an opportunity there, and are now designing a fully equipped, flexible studio that can easily adapt to any organization’s brand or style.
Wes: Yeah, it’s another communication resource we hope to see our clients take advantage of, very soon.
All right, we always end these spotlights with a quickfire Q&A. So here goes. What do you like to do outside of work?
Mike: Well, family is obviously a priority, and there’s always a kid’s baseball or volleyball game to get to. I also do love barbecuing just about every type of meat.
Wes: Honestly, for me, it’s still mostly media. I’m one of those weirdos who still actually likes to go out to the movies (often the local Belcourt).
What’s your favorite show you’re currently watching?
Mike: I’m a sucker for a good sports doc or series. I just finished the latest Quarterback season on Netflix and eager to get into HBO’s Hard Knocks.
Wes: That’s another passion we share, I guess. I’m also rewatching one of the all-timers, Mad Men, from beginning to end, learning everything I can from the greatest fictional creative director ever, Don Draper.
Morning person or night owl?
Mike: Morning.
Wes: Night.
Favorite social media app?
Wes: Letterboxd for movies. Twitter (or X) for culture and news. Probably not a great idea.
What’s the one thing people are most surprised to find out about you?
Wes: Not too big of a surprise, but even though I’m 6’6”, I never played a lot of basketball. Played through seventh grade, but that’s about it. Waste of height, I guess.
Mike: I am a classically trained trombonist.
And finally, what was the first concert you ever attended?
Wes: I honestly don’t remember my first, but I’m almost embarrassed to admit which artist I’ve seen the most: “Weird Al” Yankovic. Somehow I’ve seen him four or five times over the years. Mostly by circumstance—once at a county fair. But I was a huge fan as a kid, and I have to admit: the guy puts on a heckuva show.
