Funny Garbage: 10 Years of Making the Web Worth Watching
About Us
Funny Garbage has been in the forefront of web design, interactive entertainment and broadcast production for over 10 years. The company was started in 1996 by John Carlin and Peter Girardi; each of whom had extensive experience in the world of art, design and traditional media.
Carlin's previous company, The Red Hot Organization, created and produced some of the most successful albums and music specials in the 1990s. Girardi was the art director at The Voyager Company, a pioneer in interactive media development. The company became a real business when Kristin Ellington joined and gave the company a production process that has become the gold standard in the interactive industry.
By the mid-1990s, FG developed a reputation as one of the most creative and innovative interactive design companies in the world. In retrospect, much of that work anticipated what is now called Web 2.0. We developed broadband demos for Compaq Computers and AOL that were remarkably similar to what is now commonplace online as well as interactive TV applications for Microsoft, Cablevision and ABC, the later of which won an Emmy. In 1997 we created the first web site for Cartoon Network as one of the first and most successful online networks, rather than a site designed to promote what was on air. FG published a game a week on the site as well original flash animation that made it one of the most visited kids sites in the world with a peak average site visit of over 45 minutes.
When the interest in innovative web sites waned around 2001, FG turned to traditional media production such as the show "Crank Yankers" for Comedy Central as well as maintaining its web production through work for Bloomberg and Viacom; notably developing sites and applications for Noggin and The N, which became leaders in the new wave of web design.
Currently, FG remains in the forefront of both web development and broadcast production. We have a full roster of online projects, including a prestigious web site and analytic database for New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs through The Alliance for the Arts, and are producing content for a number of TV networks including Disney, Cartoon Network and MTV. At the same time our development of original intellectual property continues to grow with successful rounds of investment in Music to Go, the digital strategy company for terrestrial radio we co-founded, and new projects with Maria Bartiromo and L’il Jon.
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John Carlin, President & Chief Executive Officer
John's background in law, business, art and popular culture helped established the company as leader in the business of interactive media. John produced the PBS documentary “Imagining America” and curated “Masters of American Comics” one of the first major museum exhibitions to showcase the art of comic strips, comic books and graphic novels.
Peter Girardi, Chief Creative Officer
Peter was the youngest person ever to be awarded the prestigious Daimler-Chrysler Award for Design Excellence in 1999 because he lead the first wave of talented graphic designers to embrace interactive media. Now running our LA office, Peter created much of the visual design of Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers and two series for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim: Minoriteam and Saul of the Molemen.
Kristin Ellington, Chief Operating Officer
Not just your average C.O.O., but also an Executive Producer of all the premier FG projects. Truly the motor powering FG's daily operations, Kristin has been with FG since its formation, managing the growth of the company from a small design studio into a full-scale production and content development business with a global clientele.
Brett Webb, Director of Technology
Brett joined Funny Garbage in 1999 as a technical lead, immediately injecting his department with powerful programming chops, as well as some of that famed California cool. Serving as Director of Technology since 2005, Brett has combined his technical acuity, client-relations skills and artist's eye to oversee the construction of some of the best of the web.
Chris Capuozzo, Creative Director
A co-creator of the Funny Garbage style, Capuozzo's early involvement with graffiti, combined with an early love of comics and the osmotic influence of product packaging, informed and inspired the evolution of Chris' artistic vision. Spreading the word, Chris teaches class at his alma mater, the School of Visual Arts, and has published a collection of his graphic art titled Crazygon.
Fred Kahl, Creative Director
A multi-talented interactive producer, programmer, designer and born showman, Fred, a.k.a. The Great Fredini, has been the creative and technical lead in the development of hundreds of projects at Funny Garbage. A member of FG's original lineup, he has been instrumental in the creation of award-winning websites, animation, games and interactive applications for more than a decade.
Andrew Pratt, Creative Director
Having joined FG in 2000, Andy quickly established himself as one of the most talented interactive designers around. Ever mindful of the evolving interactive landscape that guides user experience, he effectively gears his vision and talents toward those who receive the majority of their information, entertainment and social life online.
