In 2024, Studio-MZ celebrates its 25th anniversary, led by founder Mary Zimnik — a creative communications expert and educator whose career spans three decades and multiple disciplines. As a T-shaped professional, Mary brings both breadth and depth across writing, design, instructional strategy, and marketing-communications.
Her communications work includes media relations, brand development, and strategic marketing, with clients ranging from start-ups to established institutions. In education, Mary has developed 85 courses, 31 workshops, and 14 programs across two universities, teaching at prestigious institutions like Emory University and Southern Methodist University. Since 2012, she has specialized in instructional design and e-learning, notably developing and leading Emory’s Digital Marketing Certificate program online.
Before her academic career, Mary thrived in the film industry as a location agent for university campuses. She negotiated landmark contracts and developed a widely adopted location contract, twice securing the highest fees in university filming history (ref: New York Times). Her portfolio spans 50 feature films and commercial projects, including A Season in Purgatory, Scream 2, and Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius.
A digital nomad at heart, Mary balances her creative roles while traveling, teaching, writing, designing, and capturing photography. In her free time, she explores art forms and develops creative writing projects that blend with her visual storytelling.