Behind The Brand: David Koechner Goes From ‘SNL’ To YouTube And Beyond

[Editor’s Note: Created by Bryan Elliott, Behind the Brand is a show that profiles the people who are making things happen. From up and comers to the big guys, we show you how they go about their business. Behind the Brand give you insights to grow your biz from the experts who’ve done it. Check out all installments of Behind the Brand here.]

David Koechner (pronounced: kek-ner) is probably one of the funniest comedic actors who’s name you can’t remember, so you might know him better as Todd Packer, the over-the-top worst friend of Michael Scott (Steve Carell) from The Office or as Champ from Anchorman, the Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Steve Carell cult classic (with a sequel coming to theaters in December). Whammie!

Koechner is the real deal–and obnoxiously humble I might add. He’s a devoted husband and father with 5 children and it’s obvious his priorities are in the right place. During our interview he doted over his kids as they walked carefree in and out of our cameras.

Koechner is a busy working actor on TV, film and now the Internet (including at least one incredibly successful branded campaign). He’s been at this role for a while. Koechner studied in Chicago at the famed Second City with all the best up-and-comers of the time, including Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and more. He told me a great story off camera about his crazy audition with Lorne Michaels and how he won the job as a cast member on SNL over another now well-known podcasting comedian (who shall remain unnamed).

His new venture is a staring role and executive producer job on a new comedy pilot sticom called Whitey from Leslie Greif, the producer behind the blockbuster History miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.

In his spare time Koechner hones his craft in a comedy laboratory of sorts on the Internet with his own Youtube channel: Youtube.com/DavidKoechner where he can engage with his fans and says it feels like the “old days in improv at open mic night.”

Watch more as we go Behind the Brand with actor comedian David Koechner and let us know what you think by Tweeting @BryanElliott @DavidKoechner or leave a comment below.

Bryan Elliott is a Southern California native with a previous 15-year history on the client side of strategy & brand marketing and production in industries like action sports, entertainment & movies, and digital tech. His recent credits include writer and executive producer of reality web series, Looks Easy, and Behind the Brand, a TV show that profiles the people in business who are making things happen. Behind the Brand is in its 4th season with over 50 full-length episodes and airs on cable TV networks and nationally online.

Bryan is an active writer, speaker, teacher & host. He has been a guest lecturer on university campuses including UCLA, USC, UCI, Champan University and more. He is the founder of Linked Orange County and The Action Sports Network, community builder and advocate of social business. You can find him on Twitter @BryanElliott.