Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Mars.
Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been making videos since I was a kid—back when YouTube was still new and people were just figuring out what online content could be. I always loved the process of storytelling, whether it was through film, television, or music.
FOMO started in 2023 as my way of spotlighting local artists here in Cincinnati. What began as filming live performances quickly turned into Amplify, a full interview series highlighting independent musicians. We’ve grown a lot since that first season, and now, with Season 3, we’re taking things in a completely new direction—mixing music, absurd comedy, and psychological horror into something I don’t think people have ever seen before.
It’s been a wild ride, but at the core, everything I do is about creating something unique and giving artists a platform to be seen in a way that feels real.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any creative journey is ever smooth, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be. There have definitely been challenges—figuring out how to fund and produce each season, keeping things fresh, and just navigating the realities of independent production.
One of the biggest struggles has been balancing creative vision with audience expectations. With Amplify, I always wanted to highlight musicians in a way that felt genuine—not just another cookie-cutter interview series. But when you’re trying to build something new, there’s always that question of, “Will people get this? Will they care?”
Season 3 has probably been the biggest challenge yet. We’re pushing the format into something completely different—something more immersive, more surreal. But that’s also what makes it exciting. Every struggle has led to something more creative, more ambitious, and more true to what I want this to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At its core, FOMO is about creating unique, immersive experiences through storytelling. We specialize in video production, interviews, and alternative media, but what sets us apart is how we approach it.
Amplify is probably what we’re best known for—it started as a simple interview series but has evolved into something completely different. Season 3 is unlike anything we’ve done before: it’s a blend of live artist interviews, surreal comedy, and a psychological horror narrative running underneath it all. It’s part Adult Swim, and part ARG horror mystery—but at the heart of it, it’s still about giving independent musicians a platform.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to the vision while constantly evolving. It would’ve been easy to stick with a format that works, but I never want to make something predictable. I want to create work that surprises people, unsettles them, makes them laugh, and most importantly, makes them engage.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The best thing about Cincinnati is the creative community. Through Amplify and FOMO, I’ve met so many insanely talented independent artists, musicians, and filmmakers—people who are making incredible work without waiting for permission. There’s a real DIY spirit here, and that’s something I respect a lot.
As for what I like least? The potholes. No hesitation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fomotv513?igsh=czh1bTE4MnlrdTVu&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fomotv513?si=p-cXbdRSSo69PuHf
