Creative Director/Director
Spittn Image
1) The most relevant business lessons I learned in 2018 would have to be “clarity” when on a creative project with other creatives. I have been on several great projects where “collaboration” was at the heart. But the one thing I know that can make a collaboration a bit “muddy” is expectations or not being clear on the creative goal. I had to really look at my part when it comes to working with others. As I go into a few projects for 2019 with other creatives, I find myself being very clear with what is asked of me and what I ask of others. So we can make the process enjoyable and effective.
2) The industry is at a really interesting crossroads, with social media being at the forefront. It’s really easy to get caught up into rushing projects, to stay afloat with the heavy competition that is seen online. I really believe social media can be a great asset if you don’t let it dictate your talent and creativity. But use it as a platform to share, promote, motivate, and last but not least, inspire. I believe it’s going to be a great balance in exciting projects that are independently inspired, and perfectly executed with today’s technology across the board.
3) I am joyful about the goals we have for 2019. Spittn Image has grown into a really safe creative home. Which has been our goal from Day 1. We are starting to expand our company in fun, creative ways. It’s going to be exciting to share these projects in the future. I truly believe when Melissa Ciampa decided to start Spittn Image, she had the heart and love for the production industry drive the company, which still stands today. I am honored to be the Creative Director of a company that motivates me and inspires me.
4) I am excited about the completion of my next short film “The Witching Hour,” which was exec produced by Melissa Ciampa and written by Lucia Tarantino. This was a great project to be part of. I learned so much as a filmmaker. I took some risk and stretched myself creatively with the responsibility of such a tender story. I hope it resonates with the audience. Sometimes, you just never know. LOL. We are embarking on the “film festival” journey now. Excited for the possibilities.
5) I am really inspired about the actions being taken against these issues. We as a strong, female-led company, obviously really keep our rights in place and at the forefront. But we also work with respectable teams and employees. Our platform is very liberal and morally conscious. I am excited to continue to see such issues addressed, in order to keep our rights as women just as equal in the work place.
6) Our company Spittn Image is slowly expanding with other creatives added to the roster. We believe that with careful selection to our team, we will be able to create “what matters” content to the world, and give creatives a safe home to create in. With no boundaries!
Google Opens Its Defense In Antitrust Case Alleging Monopoly Over Online Ad Technology
Google opened its defense against allegations that it holds an illegal monopoly on online advertising technology Friday with witness testimony saying the industry is vastly more complex and competitive than portrayed by the federal government.
"The industry has been exceptionally fluid over the last 18 years," said Scott Sheffer, a vice president for global partnerships at Google, the company's first witness at its antitrust trial in federal court in Alexandria.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states contend that Google built and maintained an illegal monopoly over the technology that facilitates the buying and selling of online ads seen by consumers.
Google counters that the government's case improperly focuses on a narrow type of online ads — essentially the rectangular ones that appear on the top and on the right-hand side of a webpage. In its opening statement, Google's lawyers said the Supreme Court has warned judges against taking action when dealing with rapidly emerging technology like what Sheffer described because of the risk of error or unintended consequences.
Google says defining the market so narrowly ignores the competition it faces from social media companies, Amazon, streaming TV providers and others who offer advertisers the means to reach online consumers.
Justice Department lawyers called witnesses to testify for two weeks before resting their case Friday afternoon, detailing the ways that automated ad exchanges conduct auctions in a matter of milliseconds to determine which ads are placed in front of which consumers and how much they cost.
The department contends the auctions are finessed in subtle ways that benefit Google to the exclusion of would-be competitors and in ways that prevent... Read More