Mike Knowlton

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR | Campfire
After graduating from college, I played bass in a noisy indie rock trio. We released our own music, booked nationwide tours, and crisscrossed the country in a Ford Econoline van named Big Silver. We were no Nirvana — but I learned how to build something from nothing.
Fascinated by the early internet, I taught myself to code and went on to lead large-scale digital projects for brands like IBM, MoMA, and Tiffany & Co. during the early days of Silicon Alley. Eventually, I left to build my own companies — a user interface design firm, a digital agency, and a next-generation storytelling studio — focused on creating work that treated clients (and audiences) as partners.
I later founded StoryCode, a global community dedicated to immersive and cross-disciplinary storytelling, and became a frequent speaker at festivals and conferences exploring the future of narrative and technology.
Today, as a Partner at Campfire, I help shape new business, production and creative strategy for some of the world’s most ambitious brands and entertainment properties. Campfire is known for designing participatory storyworlds for our clients that turn audiences into active participants — and my focus is on ensuring those ideas translate into breakthrough experiences and successful partnerships.
If my Slack status says I’m away, you’ll likely find me chasing Tarpon in the mangroves.