Jelly, a London-based animation, design and production company that’s produced for a bevy of American agency and direct clients, has opened a full-time presence in New York and dispatched its sr. creative producer, Eri Panasci, to lead it as executive producer. The news was announced today by Chris Page, Co-Founder and Partner.
Launched in 2002, Jelly functions as both a production company and artist management agency. On the commercials front, Jelly represents a global roster of directors and creators who’ve produced animation and motion graphics for brands like Lacoste, Apple, Samsung, and Adidas. On the artist management front, it represents a lineup of highly awarded illustrators and designers who regularly collaborate with brands on print, digital and outdoor ad campaigns as well as providing editorial illustrations for many of the top media brands globally.
Panasci’s move to New York is also a homecoming; a Connecticut native and graduate of Boston University, she’s worked in New York, San Francisco and London for such media and advertising companies as McCann and Vice Media. She joined Jelly in London in 2016, overseeing design and production assignments for such clients as Virgin Media, Google, Nespresso, McDonald’s, and Bombay Sapphire.
“We’ve been thinking about this and talking about it for some time,” Jelly co-founder and partner Chris Page said about the move to New York. “We’ve been eager to collaborate more fully with our American network and to be able to bring our roster of amazing talent and bullet-proof project management to work with them more effectively. The fact that we have an American as part of our management team who wanted to lead the charge–and who could reconnect with her American network of clients and colleagues in the process–made it an easier decision. We felt it was a fantastic opportunity to be in our clients’ backyard.”
Panasci said, “One of the things I’ll be able to do is provide a deeper level of service for our US clients from New York versus London, and meld that with the Jelly model and culture. And being able to put a face to a name is always good, especially when you’re dealing with someone who understands the American market and its expectations.” The studio has lined up U.S. representation with James Bartlett of Mr. Bartlett, whose initial brief will be to handle the East Coast.
What’s also unique about Jelly, related Page, is its dual role as both a production company and illustration agency that treats both disciplines with equal gravitas. “And we’re able to cross-reference our creative capabilities, and do it successfully,” he added, noting that Jelly often handles integrated packages for clients that combine still imagery for print and out-of-home with motion work for TV, web and mobile.
“This approach is well-suited to the current needs of our clients,” Page continued. “We find that there’s rarely a campaign that’s purely one medium or another these days, and we can comfortably deliver a suite of assets across the board. Utilizing the prowess of our rostered talent, as well as our full service in-house animation studio KITCHEN, we’re a one-stop solution for delivering robust campaigns.”
“Jelly has been doing this successfully in London for 15 years,” Panasci pointed out. “We’re known for our production capabilities and the caliber of people we represent. Across the board, whether working with still or motion projects, our goal is the same: to build relationships, deliver great work and generate repeat business.”
Panasci said the focus of Jelly’s U.S. operations will initially be motion work, but adds their illustration talents will also be available, and they’ll be showing print portfolios along with showreels when meeting with agencies and clients. Jelly’s head of illustration, Nicki Field, will accompany Panasci in March to kick off the New York presence with a series of meetings and screenings.
Recent and notable Jelly projects include “Hot House,” a zany TV spot for Virgin Mobile, co-directed by Design Lad and KITCHEN; “SOHO,” an animated short for the shared workspace company Fora and London agency Anyways, directed by Niceshit; and “Escape,” a spot for the outdoor clothing company Berghaus, directed by Em Cooper for VCCP that utilizes the director’s unique, hand-painted technique.
While based in London, the studio is at ease working in America, Panasci added. They’ve produced campaigns for such shops as 72andSunny, Mother, Droga5, BBH, Wieden + Kennedy and Publicis, working with both their U.S. and European offices. Most recently, Jelly signed the New York-based animation team ROOF to a representation agreement for the UK market; the team played a leading role in the recent “Imaginary Friends” campaign from RPA in Santa Monica.
