The AICP National Board of Directors has elected a new leadership slate. Tabitha Mason-Elliott, partner at BARK BARK, was elected chairperson, succeeding Lisa Mehling, owner/president of CHELSEA, while Sally Campbell, founding partner of Somesuch, was elected vice chairperson. Additionally, Robert Fernandez, CEO of Moxie Pictures, was re-elected treasurer.
Mason-Elliott previously held the post of vice chairperson. In addition to serving as chair, she will continue in her role as chairperson of AICP’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Committee. Fernandez is a former chairperson of the AICP National Board. Mehling now assumes the role of immediate past chairperson, succeeding Rich Carter of brother, who remains on the Board, having been elected by the membership for a term as director at large.
Mason-Elliott, along with Campbell, have helped the Board set a robust agenda to address the changing business landscape, with issues ranging from competing with agency in-house production and post production models to new labor challenges and the ever-evolving attack on DEI initiatives. “Our focus is on equipping our membership with an advanced educational outlook that fosters strategic business approaches, underpinned by data and experiential insights, to empower informed decision-making,” Mason-Elliott said. “Our deepest strength lies in the collective knowledge of our community, and we’re redoubling our efforts to leverage this wealth of intelligence to navigate and adapt to this shifting environment.”
Campbell is looking forward to collaborating with Mason-Elliott in driving and further developing this agenda. “I’ve been with the Board for several years now, and they’re all such talented and deeply experienced people,” she said about her new role. “It’s been a steep learning curve since I moved here from the U.K., and I’ve been hugely aided by my involvement in AICP. Being alongside Tabitha is a massive bonus as well, and in part is why I accepted the role. I am so respectful of her and grateful for her; I cannot wait to learn from this incredible woman! And with both of us being advocates for women and for representation and equity – and not afraid to speak up–I think we’ll make a formidable team.”
Similarly, Mason-Elliott is eager to collaborate with Campbell. “Sally is passionate advocate with big ideas and a heart that’s in the right place,” she observed. “She’s got a high degree of integrity and brings an unconventional approach to AICP. And as someone whose business was not founded in the U.S., the viewpoints she brings to the issues we face offer a different perspective.”
Campbell is the third woman to serve as vice chairperson of AICP, while Mason-Elliott is the second woman elected chairperson, and the first person of color to hold the position. “While Tabitha’s election is history-making for our association,” said AICP President and CEO Matt Miller, “more importantly, it’s a recognition of her role as a dedicated and effective leader in our industry. Her experience, insight and acumen as a producer bode well for our membership as we enter a phase of rapid transformation. The same can be said for Sally–they’re both proactive, forward thinking professionals who have a deep grasp of the challenges we face. I’m excited to be working with them.”
Campbell said she’d like to see a continued emphasis on promoting diversity and inclusion: “E&I seems to have taken two steps forward during the pandemic, but in the last two years has seemingly taken 25 steps back in the industry. AICP must continue moving forward in this regard, making sure everyone is aware of it.”
Regarding awareness, Campbell added that “members should also be more aware of what AICP does to support them, how integral we are in so many areas, and how to best utilize the information and tools we have to offer to their advantage. We’re an experienced, talented community that looks after one another. What we’ve found is that mutual, two-way support is key.”
An award-winning producer and partner at BARK BARK, Mason-Elliott oversees the production of TV series, documentaries, promos and branded content for a wide range of clients across agencies, networks and brands. Her company’s work has won numerous awards and honors, including Cannes Lions, Clio Entertainment, The Telly Awards, Promax and the Addy’s.
Campbell co-founded Somesuch in London in 2010 in partnership with her husband, Tim Nash, relocating to Los Angeles in 2017 to launch their U.S. office. As executive producer, she’s served on the juries of some of the most discriminating competitions in the world, and has exhibited a drive to promote and nurture underrepresented talent.
A former chairperson of the AICP National Board of Directors, Fernandez brings many years of industry leadership to the post of treasurer. He was chairperson for The AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the Commercial in 2008. His work as a producer and executive producer in both commercials and entertainment ranges from multiple winners of AICP Awards to the Cannes Lions Palme D’or and an Academy Award.
On the AICP National Board, all six incumbents were re-elected to serve a two-year term. In addition to Campbell and Carter, the general member director at large seats were won by Ralph Laucella of O Positive, David Thorne of Furlined and Mal Ward of Arts & Sciences. Scott Taylor of Taylor & Taylor was re-elected as an associate member director at large. The additional directors at large are: Margaret Capossela, NEED Financial; Yvette Cobarrubias, Cosmo Street; Gloria Pitagorsky, Heard City; and Frank Scherma, RadicalMedia.
Andrew Colon, SMUGGLER, is the West Regional Director, joining Fernandez, who is the East regional director; Qadree Holmes, Quriosity, and Lisa Masseur, Tessa Films, as Midwest regional directors; and Brian Hwang, Threaded, as Southwest regional director. Mason-Elliott retains her seat as Southeast regional director, and remains president of the Southeast Chapter.
