Tampa, FL (June 5, 2018) ‐‐ The Board of Directors of the Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Media Commission, also known as Film Tampa Bay, announces that it has unanimously selected Tyler Martinolich as its new Film Commissioner.
Martinolich, who took interim charge in October 2017 following the departure of Dale Gordon, was selected from a field of applicants at the Film Tampa Bay board meeting on May 31. The appointment takes effect immediately.
“Tyler’s success as Film Tampa Bay’s interim director made him a natural choice for the full‐time position,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who led the effort to create Film Tampa Bay as a way to drive economic development through local TV, media and film production. “The board looks forward to continuing to work with Tyler to build Hillsborough County’s reputation as a go‐to location for production crews looking for unique, visually and culturally diverse venues.”
Film Tampa Bay is a non‐profit company tasked with developing Hillsborough County as a location for film and video production. Its mission includes: Increasing production activity, permitting, hotel bookings, and local expenditures each year. Focusing on outbound missions, trade shows, and other travel to focus on important markets and engagement. Exposing Hillsborough County commercial production companies and crews to the national and global film community. Continuing to support local universities to provide valuable workshops, internships, and work placement opportunities. Cultivating a rich cultural environment that continues to support the importance of film through engagement with local film festivals and local organizations and film‐related events.
To achieve those goals, Film Tampa Bay provides financial incentives to encourage production companies to locate their work in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Over the last five years, those incentives have produced nearly $2.2 million in spending in the county, including over $630,000 on local salaries, $40,000 on hotels and $25,000 on car rentals.
Since Oct. 1, under Tyler’s lead, Film Tampa Bay has worked with 108 productions worth $4.6 million, a growth of about 44 percent over the same period last year. Since it began in August 2013, Film Tampa Bay has facilitated more than 900 productions, resulting in $52 million in local spending.
During his tenure as interim, Martinolich adjusted the agency’s direction to more commercial productions. As a result, television commercials have become a major part of Film Tampa Bay’s work, bringing spots for NAPA Auto Parts, The Home Depot and Yuengling Brewing Co. to Hillsborough County.
“The national and international exposure through Film Tampa Bay also helps build Hillsborough County’s reputation as a premier travel destination,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “We are proud to work with Tyler and Film Tampa Bay to showcase the wealth of experiences this destination has to offer,” said Corrada, who sits on the Film Tampa Bay board. “TV and film production has definitely become an important part of promoting the Tampa Bay brand to the world.”
About Film Tampa Bay
The Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Commission (Film Tampa Bay) provides permitting and production services on behalf of Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, City of Temple Terrace, and Plant City ‐‐ a premier filming destination with one of the most culturally‐rich and diverse landscapes in the state of Florida.