President and CEO Ken Lorber; Executive VP and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Deeny Kaplan; Senior Strategic Advisor, and CEO of 2G Digital, Josh Pine, and London office head, Director of Global Sales, Liz Clarke, reflect on industry shifts, strategic expansion into Los Angeles, and human-driven AI integration.
Founded 25 years ago in Miami, the two-time Emmy Award-winning language studio The Kitchen is marking a major milestone as it expands its footprint across the global media supply chain. Over the past two decades, the company has navigated massive technological and viewer-habit shifts, evolving from traditional dubbed deliverables into a comprehensive end-to-end post-production and localization powerhouse. Today, through its strategic alliance and integration with Burbank-based 2G Digital Post (The Kitchen x 2G Digital), the entity provides studios, networks, and distributors with a single, unified workflow spanning post-production, automated QC, digital fulfillment, and multi-language dubbing.
The integration of Miami and Burbank facilities establishes a strategic dual-hub model. "Having a presence in L.A. in front of the studios—combined with the 2G side of the business where we have also been providers to all the major studios—is crucial," explained Josh Pine, Senior Strategic Advisor and CEO of 2G Digital. "What's unique about the combination is that 60 to 70 percent of both companys’ gross revenue comes from the same customers. We can provide a much more expanded service under a unified global sales strategy," Deeny Kaplan, Executive VP and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer added. The model delivers significant operational efficiencies: "Offering Tier 1 US English dubbing capabilities in Miami at about a third of Los Angeles-based localization costs for the same, is undoubtedly a winning formula," she concluded.
Despite growing into a global entity, The Kitchen maintains a high-touch, personalized service philosophy. President and CEO Ken Lorber emphasized the competitive advantage of remaining agile: "When you're a big monster, it's really difficult to be efficient. In the post-production days, people preferred smaller companies where there are no walls and no barriers. Clients can call us anytime." Kaplan reinforced this hands-on approach: "You're not going to get a robot when you call us; you're going to get us. Ken once phrased it best: 'large enough to get the job done, small enough to remember your name.'”
Technological adaptation has been central to the company's quarter-century longevity, particularly regarding emerging tools like artificial intelligence. Rather than viewing automation as a replacement for human talent, The Kitchen leverages AI to optimize specific operational pain points. "AI isn't going to come in and just change everything overnight, but parts of it can add massive efficiency," Lorber noted. Pine, who brings extensive background in AI technologies, expanded on this measured implementation: "AI is like the Atlantic Ocean—it's huge. People lump it together, but it ranges from bandwidth management and automation to workflow tools. We never look at it as replacing human beings; it allows us to double or triple our business capacity with the same resources."
As content consumption patterns pivot toward short-form verticals and multi-screen habits, global sales efforts are adapting to meet distributors wherever they operate. London office head, Director of Global Sales Liz Clarke highlighted the fluid nature of today's market: "Viewing habits have changed enormously. Content is being cut into one- or two-minute vertical viewing because audience attention spans have shifted. With major L.A. client teams relocating materials groups to London, we are working directly across territories to stay aligned with distributor needs."
Backed by its renewed TPN Gold Shield Badge for end-to-end content security, The Kitchen continues to win major studio RFPs while expanding its 24/7 global coverage. "Watching the industry grow and change requires complete flexibility to go with the flow," Kaplan concluded. "Every day, our combined teams are getting closer to our ultimate goals, and that is what makes this 25-year mark so exciting."
The Kitchen Executive Team
Deeny Kaplan, Ken Lorber, Josh Pine, , Liz Clarke