Planet CheckPlanet CheckPLANET CHECK sprouted as a 60-second green news report. These speedy, proudly rock-like productions have covered the gamut of all things environmental from peak oil, wireless waste, science, policy on Capitol Hill, soy dogs at ballparks, pesticides, tidal energy, and more. Thanks to the founder’s rock n’ roll background, the feature regularly incorporates musical activists like Michael Franti, Neil Young, Indigo Girls, and Jack Johnson to name a few.
Mo Mellady, Founder
Planet Check is the brainchild of Mo Mellady, an accomplished voice-over artist with a dedicated career path focused on strategic environmental messaging. She is a broadcast professional with a history of alternative rock (91X , Live 105) and talk radio formats, copywriting and production expertise. From 2004-2010, Mo was the voice of the animated pop icon, “Erin Esurance.”
Other voice credits include projects for Disney, NBA Green Week, Save the Redwoods, Nickelodeon, Cingular Wireless, Bank of America, Sony Playstation, Mtv.com, Cox Communications, and more. Ms. Mellady also has enjoyed being an emcee and performer for Green Festival, Health ‘n Harmony, and Viva Variety in the Bay Area.
OUR MISSION
Planet Check expands public awareness and action in environmental issues by informing, entertaining, and motivating its audience amidst events and news that affect the health and sustainability of our world. Planet Check was created to reach out beyond the choir by reinventing environmental news and reporting to make it both interesting and personally compelling to a broad audience. In the words of Julia Butterfly Hill…”To make consciousness cool.”
HISTORY
Planet Check was founded by Mo Mellady in 2002, in partnership with Jack Perry. This compelling sixty-second audio report on environmental issues packed a lot of punch in a short amount of time (:50 content/:10 sponsor tag).
Charter sponsors included Clif Bar and Esurance. In 2004, Planet Check went national airing on alternative rock formats and Air America Radio Network. In 2005, Planet Check produced a one-hour pilot for Air America. Planet Check covered World Environment Week & Farm Aid, as well as participated in Green Fest, SF.
In 2006, Planet Check began publishing weekly podcasts in a 30-minute program entitled “Planet Check Rocks” on Towerpod.com, as well as Planet Check minutes on the Westwood One Network. Planet Check covered the National Biodiesel Board Conference, Clinton Global Initiative and participated in a media panel at the Clean Cities Conference.
In 2007, Planet Check sprouted into video production operations by covering Live Earth. In 2008, Planet Check co-produced a video on the food crisis for Comcast’s VOD Green Scene Channel.
The feedback has been extremely positive, and as a result, Planet Check has developed a solid reputation for delivering real value to both its audience and sponsors.
The Planet Check brand stands for quality and creativity along with a unique image and identity that immediately distinguishes its programming from everything else.
Sound designer, copywriter, strategist, production director. Planet Check examines the positive impact great minds have on the human habitat. We strive to be objective and non-political as we illuminate the best efforts of science, media, artists and engineers that create the mechanisms of sustainability in every area of endeavor.
Dr. Matthew J. Forrest
Dr. Matthew J. Forrest is a scientist with a PhD from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a professional writer, editor, and instructor with strong expertise in ecology, geology, geochemistry, water chemistry, conservation, and sustainable development. Matthew also earned BA degrees in English (UCLA) and Marine Biology (UC Santa Cruz), as well as an MS in Marine Sciences from Moss Landing Marine Labs. He has published book chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals on myriad topics ranging from structural geology and gas and water geochemistry, to amphibian disease ecology, and balancing conservation of endangered species with green energy development (see link to all science publications here).
Most recently, Matthew has been working with researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Fiji on a project calling for the International SCUBA diving sector to increase participation and involvement in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)–particularly SDG 14, Life Below Water (see press release here and link to paper here). Matthew also attended the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon where he met with scientists, financiers, and politicians in order to promote these efforts.
Dr. Forrest joined in 2021 as co-host.