Derrick Dzurko
Founder and CEO of Executive 1 Media Group
Derrick Dzurko is an American media strategist, CEO, journalist, documentarian, and cultural storyteller whose work spans three decades across entertainment, and brand architecture. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up surrounded by the creative energy of Motown, shaped by the influence of his older brothers and his close friend Roquel Payton, son of Four Tops legend Lawrence Payton. Those early years gave him a rare, front‑row education in performance, recording, and the business behind the music.
Biography
At 19, Dzurko moved to Los Angeles, where he launched his career in entertainment and founded BMT Records, an independent label based in Long Beach. His work in gospel, R&B, and hip‑hop introduced him to the worlds of artist development, production, and independent distribution — experiences that would later inform his approach to storytelling and brand identity.
After years in the music industry, Dzurko transitioned into media, communications, and public‑facing identity development. This evolution led to the creation of Executive 1 Media Group, a California‑based agency specializing in media strategy, advertising, and digital identity engineering. Through E1MG, he has shaped campaigns, narratives, and public profiles for clients across healthcare, entertainment, and public service.
Dzurko is known for his ability to translate complex personal histories into clear, authoritative public narratives. His work blends journalism, archival research, and modern media architecture, helping individuals and organizations strengthen credibility, visibility, and cultural impact.
Derrick Dzurko Media Executive and Journalist
Today, he continues to build Executive 1 Media Group from its headquarters in California while developing documentary‑style projects that preserve real stories and elevate underrepresented voices. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to culture, community, and the power of narrative.
Work, Media & Strategy
Advertising Partnerships — Clients Past and Present
Work, Media & Strategy goes hand and hand, for more than three decades, I’ve worked behind the scenes helping brands, creators, and leaders shape the way their stories are built, positioned, and understood. My work has always gone beyond visuals or publicity, it’s about strategy, structure, and the architecture behind how a brand shows up in the world.
These logos represent partnerships, campaigns, and cultural moments where I’ve contributed strategic direction, media development, and narrative framing. Each one reflects a different chapter in my journey through California’s media landscape — from storytelling and brand identity to advertising strategy and public visibility.
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Timeline
BMT Records
Founded BMT Records in Long Beach, California, marking the start of a lifelong journey in music and entertainment. Built a reputation for discovering and developing independent talent across the West Coast.
Executive 1 Media Group
Derrick and Carollyne Dzurko launched Executive 1 Temporary Services, marking their first step into entrepreneurship. In the same year, Derrick founded Executive 1 Media Group expanding from music into local advertising and producing commercials for Los Angeles colleges. These early ventures became the foundation for the media strategy agency that would later serve clients across the nation.
National Media Expansion
Scaled operations to serve high‑visibility clients and public figures. Integrated creative production with digital branding to deliver cohesive, high‑impact campaigns.
Jamitta Thompson and Laura Turner
The foundation of Executive 1 Media Group’s modern era was built through the long‑standing collaboration of Derrick Dzurko, Jamitta Thompson, and Laura Turner.
Jamitta Thompson, Senior Marketing Advisor, brought the digital expertise that helped establish Executive 1 Media Group’s online presence. She played a key role in Park Avenue Products, an early venture Derrick created to develop and market consumer products, contributing to product creation, branding, and public representation. Jamitta also played a vital role in teaching Derrick WordPress and coding fundamentals, laying the technical foundation that still powers the brand today. Her influence remains just as strong now as in the early days, continuing to guide E1MG’s platform development and digital strategy.
Laura Turner, Lead Staff Writer, played a significant role in shaping E1MG’s investigative and documentary-style media work. Through her professional network, she introduced Derrick to Cheryl Floyd of Floyd Nutrition, a connection that led to national commercial campaigns and helped establish the foundation for future high-visibility media projects. This experience broadened Derrick’s understanding of regulated marketing, strategic communications, and large-scale brand development, preparing him for future initiatives that included national media campaigns, Guinness World Records documentation, and the promotion of Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen’s historic achievement as the first African American to own a chain of urgent care centers.
Together, Derrick, Jamitta, and Laura form the core leadership team that continues to guide Executive 1 Media Group’s creative direction — blending strategy, storytelling, technology, and investigative precision to serve clients nationwide.
Latest Article by Derrick Dzurko
Beyond the Blueprint: 5 Powerful Ways Architectural Storytelling in California
California has always been more than a place. It’s a blueprint — a living structure where culture, innovation, and ambition collide. And in this environment, storytelling isn’t decoration. It’s architecture. Every successful brand begins the same way an architect begins a building…
The Power of the Press Release in the 2026 Media Landscape
In a digital world overflowing with noise, the press release remains one of the few communication tools that still carries institutional weight. It’s trusted by journalists, recognized by newsrooms, and essential for brands that want to be taken seriously. For more than three decades…
California Marketing & PR Firms: The Real Power Behind Modern Brand Growth
California has always been a place where ideas move fast — faster than the people building them, faster than the platforms promoting them, and faster than the market can keep up. Behind every product launch, every rising public figure…
Contact
For press interviews, feature stories, project inquiries, brand collaborations, or speaking engagements, please feel free to contact Derrick Dzurko using the form. He welcomes opportunities that align with his work in media strategy, storytelling, and cultural impact. All professional requests are reviewed directly, and serious inquiries will receive a personal response.
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