Alumni Profile
Steve Katzenberger
BA'77, Radio and Television
Founding partner, Creative Street Media Group, Indianapolis
"Most of all, I would counsel young people to make sure that whatever career path they choose makes
them happy — regardless of pay. If you love what you do, all that will fall into place."
Steve Katzenberger
Steve Katzenberger loves what he does. He fell early and hard for the lure of the camera, and he's never looked back.
Katzenberger is a founding partner in the Creative Street Media Group, which produces corporate, education, and entertainment programming for Fortune 500 companies and cable networks such as Animal Planet, HBO Family, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel.
The media business was bred in the bone for Katzenberger, whose grandfather worked as a traveling film projectionist. During the summers, Katzenberger tagged along, and was sometimes treated to private screenings in his grandfather's basement. "I remember thinking he had the neatest job in the whole wide world," Katzenberger says.
It didn't hurt to be growing up during the golden age of a transforming new medium: TV. "The '50s and '60s were not only a wonderful time to grow up, but also an equally wonderful time for television. Often when I was told it was bedtime I would tell my mom that I need a little more time, as I was 'studying' the commercials."
Katzenberger's mother might have entertained a little natural skepticism of her son's claims to studiousness, but he really meant it. During his junior year, his high school built a black-and-white television studio. Katzenberger went (in his own words) "nuts," working so hard that he was conscripted into service as assistant to the teacher.
Arriving at IU, he had no doubt that he wanted to be involved in media production. He was fortunate to encounter teachers and mentors there who helped guide and focus his passion. Herb Terry, John Winninger, Barrie Zimmerman, and the late Dick Yoakam all left their mark on Katzenberger.
He graduated in 1977 with a radio and television major, minors in business and theatre, and experience at two television stations under his belt. He stayed on at one of them, WTTV, until taking a job with an award-winning cinematographer. Seven years later, he and business partner Dave Smith founded Creative Street.
These days, Katzenberger is right where he wants to be. He loves his job; he loves his family; he loves living in Indianapolis (which only needs a mountain or an ocean nearby to be "beyond perfect"). If he were to imagine a different path for himself, though, it would involve teaching. "I really enjoy working with young people," he says, "and seeing their faces light up when they make a connection or are successful in something."
Katzenberger has found a way to stay involved with young people, as well as with IU. He and Creative Street have been active supporters of MultiVisions, a student-awards event that brings telecommunications alumni from all over the country back to Bloomington to share with students their experiences in the media business.
Katzenberger's most heartfelt advice to young people applies well beyond his chosen field.
"Most of all, I would counsel young people to make sure that whatever career path they choose makes them happy — regardless of pay. If you love what you do, all that will fall into place."