What trends, developments or issues would you point to thus far in 2022 as being most significant, perhaps carrying implications for the rest of this year and beyond?
How to stay connected in the current climate of being in and out of isolation. Simple, quick conversations and face-to-face planning are no longer the industry norm. There’s no going back, so we are still learning how to adapt and find the right balance with the new ways of communicating and collaborating since there is significantly less in-person human interaction.
How have any societal issues–such as the pandemic, the Supreme court decision on abortion, calls for equity, inclusion, diversity, racial and social justice–impacted the way you do business, company policies and/or selection of projects/creative content?
In today’s social climate, the only time to stay quiet is when we are listening to those who are underrepresented and disproportionately stacked with challenges. Factor in what’s happening in the Ukraine and the recent Supreme Court decision, so many people on our team have been personally affected by recent events, and we look to them to help us lean into the causes they personally care about.
To foster these important dialogues, we believe transparent communication and staying connected — even in times of isolation — are paramount. It’s what we strive for with our team and clients alike.
Ultimately, our company values are rooted in humanity, not politics, and human interaction and communication in these trying times really do require looking deeper at the human condition.
What’s the biggest takeaway or lessons learned from work (please identify the project) you were involved in this year?
Honestly, my favorite “projects” are all about giving back — cause work. Being a partner to The Advocacy Group (TAG) by hosting a micro-fundraiser for their Holiday Toy Drive this past December was so fun and rewarding for the team. We are committed to making it a WAR tradition. TAG is also an incredible Los Angeles-based non-profit dedicated to helping and instilling hope for people and families struggling with addiction and mental illness.
What work (advertising, entertainment, documentary) — your own or others–struck a responsive chord with you this year and why?
Oprah + Viola: A Netflix Special. The interview revolves around Viola’s traumatic childhood and her success, referencing stories from her memoir, Finding Me. To survive her childhood and excel in her craft as a Black woman in this industry is a humbling and inspiring example of resilience and perseverance.
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 2022 and beyond.
We are busy and we are grateful for that. At the 15-year mark, we continue to bridge design and technology, and we look forward to forging ahead with some really great ongoing client relationships. We are leaning into growth (for a change), aligned with a goal to keep the base philosophy and culture intact. It’s not an easy thing to accomplish, but we feel great about where we are going and the bigger opportunities on the horizon.
Has the first half of 2022 caused you to redefine or fine tune the goals of your company, division, studio or network–and if so, in what way(s)?
Yes, we are hiring! Always looking for new talent at all levels, including apprentices across departments.
