Film commission concludes search for new leader

TAMPA — The Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Media Commission, also known as Film Tampa Bay, has appointed Tyler Martinolich its new commissioner.

Martinolich, 35, had been serving as interim commissioner since October 2017, following the departure of Dale Gordon.

According to a press release, Film Tampa Bay — a nonprofit company tasked with developing Hillsborough County as a location for film and video production — conducted a national search for Gordon’s successor before deciding to remove Martinolich’s interim status. The appointment takes effect immediately.

“Tyler’s success as Film Tampa Bay’s interim director made him a natural choice for the full‐time position,” states Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who led the effort to create Film Tampa Bay as a way to drive economic development, in the release. “The board looks forward to continuing to work with Tyler to build Hillsborough County’s reputation as a go‐to location for production crews looking for unique, visually and culturally diverse venues.”

Film Tampa Bay, according to the release, provides financial incentives to encourage production companies to locate their work in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Over the past five years, those incentives have produced nearly $2.2 million in spending in the county, including more than $630,000 on local salaries, $40,000 on hotels and $25,000 on car rentals.

Martinolich, the release states, has landed TV commercial productions for brands such as NAPA Auto Parts, The Home Depot and Yuengling Brewing Co.