Our History
Perna Content began with a simple mission. To make great documentary films. We have evolved into a multi-media content creator. First came the documentary films. That led to books, which led to podcasts—and now programming.
Bill Perna
After graduating from the University of New Mexico and New York University, where he studied film and advertising, Bill began a 25-year career in marketing and advertising. He first built his career working in New York for such large advertising agencies as Grey Advertising, Wells Rich Greene, Doyle Dane Bernbach and Ogilvy & Mather. Then, with his partner, Peter Smillie, Bill spent 10 years in Los Angeles building a successful television-commercials production company, Smillie Films. While working with the legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles for two years back in New York, Bill developed the Branded Content division of Maysles Films. Bill and his family later moved to Maine, where he founded Perna Content and is still based.
Robert Whitcomb
Robert Whitcomb is a veteran editor and writer. He has served as the finance editor of the International Herald Tribune; as a vice president and the editorial-page editor of The Providence Journal; as an editor and writer for The Wall Street Journal, and as a writer for the Boston Herald Traveler (RIP). Whitcomb has written newspaper and magazine essays and news stories for many years on a wide range of topics for numerous publications; has edited several books and movie scripts; is the co-author of the book Cape Wind, and has been a commentator on many TV and radio programs. He's the editor of, and frequent contributor to, New England Diary (newenglanddiary.com), a blog updated on most days
Jennifer Brennan
Designer
Jennifer Brennan is a graphic and Web designer based in Jefferson, Maine. She has worked with Perna Content on various projects over the years, including helping design and maintain the Perna Content Web site. Her work can be found at jenniferbrennandesign.com.
Ken Hess
Media Director
Ken has 20 years of experience in TV programming and branded-content development, including as lead editor and director ofphotography on the Emmy award-winning World of Adventure Sports, on NBC. He has also worked in Web site development and computer-network infrastructure. Ken was in Vail, Colo., working primarily in the televised action sports industry, before moving to Portland, Maine, in 2010. His work has included projects with Red Bull, GoPro, Subaru and Jeep.