We Make Fun

About Us

We are a comedy company. That’s likely over-simplified, but it’s cleaner than a long list of descriptors. We produce Comedy Hack Day, a collaborative explosion of creativity fueled by a community of amazing comedians, developers, and designers. We use the word “fun” a lot in these company bios, so come be our friend and see if we mean it.

Our Mission

We believe that humor combined with slick design and a creative use of technology can make complicated ideas more understandable and products more fun. Our mission is to bring great ideas to life and help others do the same.

Why Cultivated Wit?

Our company’s name stems from the Roman poet Horace, who wrote: “A cultivated wit, one that badgers less, can persuade all the more. Artful ridicule can address contentious issues more competently and vigorously than can severity alone.” Between that message and a shared vision of global conquest, we feel rather connected to the Romans.

Bio Stuff

Brian Janosch
Brian Janosch
CEO / Creative Director / Midwesterner
Brian Janosch is CEO, creative director, and resident expert in beer and cheese. Brian has held several titles in media and comedy including writing, editing, project managing, product developing, web strategizing, and gerunding. Brian still contributes to The Onion, where he previously worked for four years as deputy managing editor coordinating the writers room through production of books, videos, and physical pieces of paper placed in boxes on the street.
Craig Cannon
Craig Cannon
Product Director / Doomsday Prepper
Craig Cannon is product director and outdoorsman at large. Craig served as graphics editor for The Onion and campaign manager for the How To Be Black marketing campaign, contributing to the planning and largely implementing the digital strategy behind much of the book’s success. He’s a graduate of New York University where he served as president of the campus satire magazine and, for his thesis, designed an eReading platform.
Adam Peterson
Adam Peterson
Technical Director / Iguana Wrangler
Adam Peterson is interactive and motion director, and serves as Cultivated Wit’s chief ambassador to Utah. An accomplished animator and programmer, Adam lords over pixels and forces them to do his bidding. He previously worked with Mike at I Shot Him, building acclaimed web sites and bringing stories to life by granting characters the gift of motion. Adam owned and operated a pet store at the age of 18, and that is not a joke.
Baratunde Thurston
Baratunde Thurston
President / Hashtagger-In-Chief
Baratunde Thurston is the president and company spokesmodel. He also holds the role of supervising producer of digital at The Daily Show, a television program you've perhaps heard of. He wrote the New York Times bestseller, How To Be Black, and served for five years as director of digital for The Onion. He has advised the Obama White House, has more than 10 years experience in standup comedy, and more than 30 years experience being black.