Who We Are
We were right about the campfires.
Long before the pitch deck, people gathered around for a good story — and left knowing what moved them, who to trust, and what mattered. The stage has changed, but the audience? Still there. Still listening, still caring, and still spreading the word.
We’ve got a combined 40+ years of experience connecting with audiences. Our work is making sure they spread the right word about you.
The People
Patrick Kirkland
Co-Founder & Chief Storyteller
Patrick is a writer who’s spent over twenty years building award-winning creative for brands such as Chevron, AT&T, Verizon, and Team USA. He’s a lifelong student of story, structure, and character. That taught him every brand story starts with three questions: Who are you? What problem do you solve? And why does it matter?
Amy Kirkland
Co-Founder & Executive Producer
Amy has spent twenty-plus years in arts, education, and cultural institutions, leading national partnerships, building education programs, and producing performances with Carnegie Hall, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lincoln Center, and Cirque du Soleil. She knows how to turn research and a rough idea into partnerships, programs, and performances.
One of us comes at a project through story. One of us through reach and engagement. Both end up at the same question: what will make this matter?
Fast facts.
The soundtrack
What’s playing when the work is going well.
Pat’s pick
Led Zeppelin
Amy’s pick
The Goat Rodeo Sessions
The rewatch
The movie we stop scrolling for, every time.
Pat’s pick
The Big Lebowski
Amy’s pick
The Sound of Music
The rabbit hole
Where a free afternoon disappears.
Pat’s pick
The Far Side
Amy’s pick
Ancestry + random historical facts
How we work
We start where every story starts: the end.
Storymakers come with a goal. A bigger stage. A new audience. A stronger voice. We work backward from there.
When you know where you’re going.
The direction is set. The materials don’t say it yet. We find the clearest way to say it, write it, and leave guidelines so the story sticks long after we’re gone.
When you’re ready for your next chapter.
You’ve grown. Your story hasn’t. We talk to the people who shape the outcome and make the big calls with you: who you’re for, what you stand for, how you sound. Then we create the materials you need most.
When your idea needs a stage.
You know the goal. Now it needs legs. We shape how the story meets its audience in person, from creative direction to the people and plan that get it made.
Capabilities
The Stories We Can Tell
Every project gets our partnership. Beyond that, we build teams around the work, as needed. We can bring in trusted collaborators through our network, work alongside your existing partners, or a combination of the two.
Strategy
- Brand & narrative strategy
- Audience & stakeholder research
- Positioning
- Team workshops
Story
- Brand messaging & voice
- Website copy
- Campaign concepts & copy
- Film & video scripts
- Fundraising materials
- Press kits
Experience
- Creative direction
- Program development
- Event & performance production
- Partnership development
- Production planning & team leadership
Invitation
Tell us what you’re making.
Whatever you have in mind, we want to hear about it. Send us your thoughts, goals, and anything else you think we should know. We can’t wait to hash it out with you.
Or email
hello@protagonist.ink