Experience

Boots Road founder Spencer Critchley is an award-winning producer, creative director and writer with experience in broadcasting, film, digital media, public relations and advertising.

Clients and projects have included Obama for America; Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel); California Assemblymember Anna Caballero; the Emmy-winning PBS documentary "Blink"; web content for David Bowie, Moby, Britney Spears, Beatnik, Yahoo! and others; the Silicon Graphics-Time Warner-ATT interactive TV system; music for Warner-Chappell Music; and the multiple award-winning Choosing Success CDROM for CCC/Viacom, described by Wired magazine as "the most inspired piece of educational software ever created".

For Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Spencer worked on press and new media teams in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Colorado. Some of Spencer's photos from the campaign (including this one) can be found here.

As a journalist, Spencer reported stories for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio and others, winning awards for investigative reporting from the Public Radio News Directors and the Associated Press. For CBC Radio, he was a correspondent and guest host for the national entertainment and popular culture show Prime Time, the host of the syndicated Canada Rocks record review, and a contributor to The Entertainers and other programs.

Testimonials

"Spencer made a big contribution to the Obama campaign's success in the battleground state of Michigan. He managed our statewide radio efforts, designing a system so productive it was copied by Obama press teams in other states. He arranged radio, TV and newspaper interviews and wrote briefings for Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and other campaign figures. And he pitched in with our New Media team, helping design and execute our online presence while serving as our official photographer for appearances by Obama, Biden and others. Spencer's creativity and work ethic paid dividends daily, and it was a pleasure having him as part of our team."

Brent Colburn
Director of External Affairs
FEMA
Former Michigan Communications Director, Obama for America

"One of the finest producers I've had the pleasure to work with. Spencer has a deep insight into the creative process."

Stuart Dubey
Emmy-winning producer & composer
DubeyTunes Studios

"Spencer is one of those rare, creative individuals who is able to distill the essence from a barrage of words and communicate the intended meaning with precision and clarity. He is a master communicator."

Louis Fetherholf
Chief of Police
Salinas, CA

"Spencer Critchley is one of the most engaging, honest and talented mentors I've had. He took a group of eager, inexperienced interns and turned us into focused, skilled, truth seekers. His imagination and journalistic expertise were limitless. I look back on my internship at radio station KUSP as one of the best teaching experiences in my career."

Carrie Kahn
Reporter
National Public Radio

"Unanimously, the participants in the Leadership Salinas Valley found the presentation by Spencer Critchley and Zach Friend to be relevant, immediately practical and delivered in a positive, entertaining way. Of particular interest was the understanding the participants gleaned of the unique challenges and opportunities for garnering public support for police and other local government officials after the in-depth explanation of how the media works and responding appropriately to what they are asking for. I look forward to referring the graduates of the Leadership program to the Boots Road Group for impactful, effective training."

Brigid McGrath Massie
Business Consultant, Author of "What Do They Say When You Leave The Room?"
Facilitator, Leadership Salinas Valley

"As a guest speaker in our graduate program in documentary film and video, Spencer Critchley shared his remarkable experience and insight into the world of sound design and music. His presentation was both aesthetic and practical, and we were thrilled to have him here."

Kristine Samuelson
Professor and Chair
Department of Communication
Stanford University

"Spencer has very good ears and was hearing and detecting subtle changes to the mix from revision to revision. It is a pleasure to work with somebody that can and does appreciate what you do and how you do it. Spencer knows what he is listening for, knows what he wants and is great at communicating it very easily. I would work with him again anytime."

Marc Urselli
Grammy-winning engineer & producer