HOLLYWOOD – Bob Fulp was promoted Sept. 4 to director of Seminole Media Productions (SMP) and its 45 employees. He’d been the operations manager since 2018. Fulp previously worked as a special projects coordinator and video production manager in the department. In all, he’s been at SMP for more than a decade.

The Tribune asked Fulp about some of the facets of the department and a little bit about his background. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Tribune: How is your new position different than the previous one?

Fulp: My new role continues to provide leadership to seven divisions under the SMP umbrella – Florida Seminole Tourism; graphic/web design; hotel audio/visual at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood; live event production; the Seminole Tribune; video production; and the tribe’s WTIR-FM radio station on the Brighton Reservation.

Tribune: When the community sees SMP employees out in the field with video cameras, what service are they providing for the tribe?

Fulp: SMP’s video production division records and archives community events, including historic, cultural and traditional affairs, to preserve for the Seminole Tribe. We use the latest digital media technology with high-resolution cameras to showcase the tribe’s storytelling traditions currently and for the future. In addition, we produce social media and training and promotional videos for Hard Rock Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Hard Rock Support Services and other Seminole Gaming properties.

Tribune: The video production and live event production jobs often involve long hours, correct?

Fulp: It’s not your typical 9-to-5 job – they work early, late, on weekends and holidays. These teams work diligently to get the job done for all our clients. We look for individuals who have the experiences needed, but also someone who understands the brand and integrity of the Seminole Tribe and Hard Rock.

Tribune: For those who may not be familiar with the Florida Seminole Tourism office, tell us more about it.

Fulp: Florida Seminole Tourism oversees marketing and advertising efforts to support the tribe, with a focus on cultural and tourism enterprises. Examples of upcoming events include the Indigenous Arts and Music Festival, the Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow, and Brighton Field Day Festival. The department maintains social media accounts and a blog showcasing the tribe’s rich tourism endeavors, both past and present.

Tribune: Tell us a little bit about your personal life?

Fulp: I’m from a small town south of Indianapolis called Greenwood. I moved to Florida after graduating high school; I’d had enough of the cold winters. I went to the [former] Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and received a degree in photography. I worked at multiple TV stations, national cable networks and independent video production companies.

I was married in 1991 and widowed in 2021. I’ve got two children, a daughter, 32, a son, 28, and a dog. I enjoy the beach, the Florida Keys, exercising, biking and golf – although my game is terrible.