CLIENT STORY: MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine: Brian Whitfield: Telling Stories Through Color, Culture, and Community

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**Brian Whitfield: Telling Stories Through Color, Culture, and Community**

Brian Whitfield doesn’t just create art—he tells stories that resonate deeply with history, community, and identity. Based in Lansing, Michigan, Whitfield has become a pillar in the regional art scene, known for his vivid murals and public installations and the profound narratives each piece communicates.

With a career spanning decades, Brian Whitfield combines bold color palettes, symbolic imagery, and a strong sense of cultural awareness. His works often reflect resilience, unity, and African American heritage, whether a mural on the side of a city building or a commissioned piece inside a public institution, each work feels like a conversation between the past and present.

Whitfield’s approach to art is intentional. For him, every stroke, every symbol, and every figure has a purpose. He doesn’t create in a vacuum; he listens to the communities where his artwork will live. Public engagement is essential to the process. Before sketching a single line, Whitfield often spends time understanding the space, speaking with residents, and learning the stories that shape their environment. This foundation allows him to produce work that reflects his vision and honors the voices of those around him.

One of Whitfield’s most recognized strengths is his ability to combine historical relevance with contemporary visual storytelling. Many of his pieces reference civil rights history, ancestral roots, and the richness of African culture. Still, he presents them in a way that feels current, vibrant, and accessible to all audiences. His murals do more than beautify—they educate, empower, and encourage dialogue.

Brian Whitfield is also a dedicated arts educator. He invests in the next generation of creatives through workshops, mentorship, and collaboration with schools and nonprofits. His commitment to education stems from his belief that art should be a tool for empowerment, particularly for youth who may not always see themselves represented in mainstream culture or curriculum.

In Lansing, Whitfield’s presence is unmistakable. From his impactful murals across the city to his involvement in local initiatives, he continues to shape the cultural landscape. One example is his mural work for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which integrates transportation history with powerful community symbolism. Projects like this highlight how his work bridges functional public space with artistic expression.

What sets Brian Whitfield apart is not just his technical talent, but his unwavering purpose. His art isn’t to be admired—it exists to inspire thought, celebrate identity, and unite people. He uses his platform to spotlight stories that might otherwise go unheard and invites everyone who encounters his work to see themselves reflected in it.

His impact grows as Brian Whitfield continues to create, educate, and engage. His art remains a vibrant force in public spaces and personal lives, serving as a reminder that creativity, rooted in community and culture, can transform.

Video Marketing Trends to Leave Behind in 2025

As we move into 2025, Paul Schmidt of **UnoDeuce Multimedia** encourages businesses and content creators to reassess their video marketing strategies—and say goodbye to a few outdated trends. In a digital world where attention is scarce and authenticity reigns supreme, some once-popular tactics are no longer effective. Here are five video marketing trends that Schmidt says it’s time to leave behind.

### 1. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing once revolutionized the digital landscape, but its effectiveness is fading. Audiences have become savvy—they can tell when they’re being sold to and are no longer as trusting of paid endorsements. Instead, Schmidt emphasizes the power of real customer stories. Authentic testimonials from satisfied clients resonate more and build more substantial credibility. “Using your actual customers to help tell your story is your key sales tool when it comes to video,” Schmidt says.

### 2. AI-Generated Videos

The novelty of AI-generated videos is quickly wearing off. Viewers are becoming increasingly disengaged with content that feels robotic or overly polished. Generic visuals, formulaic narration, and a lack of emotional depth have made these videos easy to spot and easy to ignore. Schmidt advises creators to prioritize originality and human-driven storytelling. “Be real. Be unique,” he says. Audiences crave content that reflects genuine human creativity, not a machine’s approximation.

### 3. Overloaded Social Media Ads

The average social media user strongly dislikes intrusive video ads. The skip button is now one of the most-used features on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Schmidt warns that businesses’ ads will likely be ignored unless they are willing to break the mold with creative, customized content. Simply following trends isn’t enough—standing out requires thoughtful, engaging, and unexpected approaches.

### 4. Stock Footage Overuse

Stock footage was a practical necessity during the pandemic. But in 2025, audiences are tired of seeing the same staged handshakes and coffee shop scenes. The overuse of generic visuals now signals a lack of originality. Schmidt recommends investing in custom footage and building visual content that aligns precisely with a brand’s identity. “Create your visuals,” he urges, to truly differentiate in a crowded media landscape.

### 5. Clickbaity Titles and Thumbnails

Clickbait might earn quick clicks, but it destroys long-term trust. Misleading titles and thumbnails can hurt audience retention and damage brand credibility. “If you get caught doing that, fewer and fewer people will be watching more videos because they don’t believe what you’re saying or telling them,” says Schmidt. Honesty and accuracy in presentation go a long way toward building a loyal viewership.

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### Final Thoughts

As video marketing evolves, UnoDeuce Multimedia encourages marketers to embrace authenticity, creativity, and genuine connection over gimmicks and shortcuts. Trends like influencer marketing and AI-driven content may have once been exciting, but the future belongs to those willing to tell real stories meaningfully.

To learn more about how UnoDeuce Multimedia helps brands elevate their video storytelling, visit [UnoDeuce.com](https://unodeuce.superwebpros.com). Because in a world full of noise, authenticity still stands out.

Slavery to Freedom – Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee

For the final installment of our 25th Slavery to Freedom lecture series, we welcome Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. medical school dean. Her impact on medicine, leadership and health equity is groundbreaking—don’t miss this opportunity to hear her story!

Meet Josh Glassbrook – UnoDeuce Multimedia Spring 2025 Video Intern

Meet Joshua Glassbrook, an ambitious and creative intern currently exploring the exciting world of media at UnoDeuce Multimedia. From a young age, Joshua’s fascination with storytelling and technology has shaped his path—and now, as part of a dynamic production team, he’s turning that passion into real-world experience.

Joshua’s interest in media began early, inspired by watching his father work with a camera. That early exposure sparked a deep curiosity about how stories are crafted through visuals, sound, and emotion. “My youth was always full of video, so it’s no surprise that I’m here today seeing my dad work with a camera,” he reflects. His childhood was filled with gadgets—from Nintendo 3DS consoles to old camcorders—that allowed him to experiment, create, and learn about the tools behind the stories he loved.

Those early experiences helped shape Joshua’s creative instincts and gave him a strong foundation for pursuing a career in media. Today, as an intern at UnoDeuce Multimedia, he’s honing those skills professionally. Based in Lansing, Michigan, UnoDeuce is known for its mission-driven storytelling, helping nonprofits and small businesses amplify their voices through high-quality video content.

For Joshua, interning at UnoDeuce is more than just learning how to shoot or edit footage—it’s about gaining insight into how a creative business operates. He’s actively involved in hands-on projects, collaborating with team members, and working directly on client content. This immersion has given him valuable experience in media production, building relationships, and understanding the importance of teamwork.

“Being part of a team is really important to me,” Joshua shares. “I’ve been able to connect with people who are just as passionate as I am, and that makes the whole process of creating stories even more exciting.”

Joshua continues to nurture his creative interests when he’s not working on projects at UnoDeuce. He enjoys music, photography, and video editing—all of which feed his love for the media arts. His taste in film is broad, with a particular appreciation for the movies that emerged between 2020 and 2023—a time he considers especially rich in visual storytelling.

In the gaming world, his current favorite is *Team Fortress 2*, a classic team-based shooter known for its colorful characters and diverse gameplay. “*Team Fortress 2* is probably one of the most diverse shooters out there. It’s also a lot of fun,” he says. For Joshua, video games aren’t just entertainment—they’re another form of storytelling, combining visuals, music, and interaction in powerful ways.

As his internship continues, Joshua is eager to learn more, build new connections, and expand his skills across all facets of media production. Each day at UnoDeuce brings fresh challenges and creative opportunities—experiences that are helping to shape his future in the industry.

With talent, curiosity, and a strong support system at UnoDeuce Multimedia, Joshua Glassbrook’s media journey is just beginning. Undoubtedly, his passion and dedication will carry him far as he continues to craft stories and bring ideas to life through the power of media.

13th Annual Deucey Awards Most Outstanding Video Nominee: Downtown Lansing, Inc.

Downtown Lansing, Inc. is our final nominee for the Most Outstanding Video of the Year Deucey Award.

Montage of the new and improved Downtown Lansing. Showcasing the local businesses and bustling environments!