What’s the impact of the pandemic on you, your company, your approach to doing business in the future? What practices emerged that you will continue even as restrictions are loosening?
The Pandemic was sheer hell for everyone. But a silver lining within Chelsea was how the whole team with our directors, reps, and crew doubled down on being there for each other and standing strong. My team is far and away the most unified it’s ever been and we’ve implemented all kinds of traditions to keep us tight moving forward.
How has the call for equity, racial and social justice affected, honed or influenced your sense of responsibility as a company in terms of the content you create and/or your commitment to opening up opportunities for filmmaking talent from underrepresented backgrounds?
The last couple years have been transformational for me and have completely altered my view of our country and the world around us. This country is hindered by the deep set biases. As for my business the Chelsea Team is committed to social justice and will continue to advocate and fight for equity until it becomes a reality.
What’s the biggest takeaway or lessons learned from work (please identify the project) you were involved in that was or is in the running for current awards season consideration (i.e., Emmys, Cannes Lions, etc.)?
The most relevant and innovative brands take a stance and use their platforms as a megaphone for justice, equity, and the environment as social responsibility is now essential for brands that want to thrive. For Chelsea Libresse Wombstories, P&G Widen the Screen, States United for Gun Safety and our work for LinkedIn were bold conversation starters for change.
While gazing into the crystal ball is a tricky proposition, we nonetheless ask you for any forecast you have relative to content creation and/or the creative and/or business climate for the second half of 2021 and beyond.
The power of Creative has never been more essential — the world desperately needs big ideas and innovative solutions and our industry will continue to flex its muscle as we ride the wave of radical societal change we’ve been swept up in.
What are your goals, creatively speaking and/or from a business standpoint, for your company, division, studio or network in 2021?
We opened an office in London and we’re really excited about all the potential we see in the UK and European markets for the Chelsea directors.
What work (advertising, entertainment)--your own or others--struck a responsive chord with you and/or was the most effective creatively and/or strategically so far this year? Does any work stand out to you in terms of meshing advertising and entertainment?
Beats By Dre’s “Do You Love Me” takes my breath away every time I see it. The message is so spot on and the execution is perfect and it’s just what the world needed this year: showcasing joy, pride, solidarity and determination and a healthy cultural slap on the wrist calling out double standards, double talk and bias.