1) Given the tension swirling around us in the news, I think brands with a sense of humor and lightness are going to be such a relief. Information and argument will feel like a drag; this is a time for us to bring more inspiration to our work and be more entertaining and less literal. And I think we’re going to be having a lot of conversations about how brands should behave in the world when consumers, especially millennials, are becoming increasingly more activist and engaged.

2) We’ll be making our first work with our new partners at General Mills, and as a team we’re setting expectations high. We have Cheerios, Yoplait, Nature Valley, and the Big G portfolio of cereals, and we want these brands to be the most talked-about in the country. We want our work to make that happen, we want to have fun while we’re making it, and we want you to be able to see that in the work.

3) I spent most of 2016 leading the Secret account at W+K, and that work came from creative and strategy getting super tight. So, now more than ever I’m an proponent of strategy and creative moving as one. A lesson I’ve taken out of that work is that being insightful about your audience, finding the true heart of your brand, being authentic and human, and being brave enough to get into an argument when you know you’re on the right side of it, will have celebrities sharing your work on Twitter for free. Oh, and the future is female creatives and female Directors.

4) Survive New York.

1) We’ve arrived at an exciting moment in our industry. In stark contrast to the rigid separation of the past, we are finding that more and more companies are enthusiastically adopting the integrated production model that Humble and Postal were born from. When Humble began a decade ago, we were one of the first hybrid studios out there with a wholehearted adoption of this integrated model that puts production and post production under one roof. We put a core team of killer young artists who could concept, direct, shoot, edit, and design all in the same room and sparks flew. Shortly after, other production companies followed suit. Agencies starting developing production companies in-house and production companies took on more original content and creative responsibilities. It’s impossible not to see that the continued integration of our industry has lead, and will continue to lead, to more efficiently produced, beautifully crafted quality content.

2) In the New Year I am more inspired than ever to continue to push the unique culture we have here even further and redefine what it means to be a fully integrated production company. As Humble and its sister post production company Postal continue to grow, we know that our culture is our greatest strength. While the directors are still the heart of Humble, our creative roster has grown to include more writers, performance artists, performers, and non-commercial filmmakers. Our best work happens when we break the old relay race model, with each department passing the baton to the next, and we let this extended roster get involved in ideation and execution from day one. For example, some of the best original content projects we have in development came from our Office Manager in LA, we are in post production on our first ever interactive feature film, and we won a Cannes Lion for a Snapchat. I really believe that when you remove barriers, good ideas can come from anywhere.

3) I’ve learned that curiosity and openness are key. We are always searching for new platforms and mediums to tell stories no matter how far outside of our comfort zones they may be. Take the past year at Humble and Postal – while a big part of the team was focused on bigger and bigger spots, feature films, and longer form content, a series of unexpected projects taught us that good things really do come in small packages. Our first foray into micro-storytelling came in 2014 when we partnered with BBDO on the award-winning “Fix in Six” Vines campaign for Lowe’s. We later partnered back up with the brand to produce their first-ever Snapchat videos which racked up over 300,000 views in just 3 days. With 30+ stop motion animations, over 50 million impressions, and a Cannes Lion - we’re sold. What’s next?

4) To land bigger fish. You can take that as a metaphor or not.

1) It’s been already a really intense year and it’s only January. This plays on two levels for our industry. Marketers and their partners will have to work together to be nimble and responsive to the changes in people’s moods, because that´s what big brands are supposed to do—be on the side of their customers, making them feel special and accompanied under any circumstance. And circumstances are going to be tougher, more challenging and more unexpected than in the past five years. On a second level, for big brands, keep doing what is needed to reinforce their positioning, vision and voice amid all the noise, despite the context. It is almost a schizophrenic task, but these are the times we live in, at least for a while.

2) For me it has always the same resolution: try to do things that I haven’t done before. Of course, I don’t always succeed in doing that. Though I can say that this year that will be the case; there are already a couple of pieces of work that I can’t talk about but are in that realm. As a creative leader, that’s what I ask my team as well as the whole agency. We have to honor Saatchi’s mantra: Nothing Is Impossible. We have to do things that make other people ask, “how did they do it?” Again, if you are lucky, you’ll have two or three of pieces of work like that in a normal year. But that’s the task and the challenge.

3) The most important lesson for me came from the election period, and it was that we are on the verge of living inside a bubble, scrolling and checking feeds that only show us the things and the content that we agree with. If one of the ultimate goals of communication is changing people´s minds, attitudes and behaviors, then how we are going to achieve that without being able to properly reach those who think differently on social media?

4) I am taking acting lessons, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. It helps my English; that’s the rational reason behind it. The real one is that I love movies and storytelling in general, and becoming a director or writing a TV show is something I always wanted to do. In that regard, understanding how acting works is critical. And there is no better place to do it than New York.

1) Brands will choose independent agencies in greater numbers as trust continues to erode with the holding companies.
Creative work will be transportive, light, fun and humorous—a balance to the tense and dark climate we’re living in.

2) Joan doesn’t have a New Year’s resolution, but as a company we’re committing to better understanding, empathizing and connecting with audiences. To that end, we’re investing heavily in proprietary data and R&D this year.

3) By far, our most relevant lesson was how much better the work became when clients were invited into the creative process.

4) I wish it was more lofty, but my personal resolution is to Peloton three times a week.

1) With the political landscape changing I don’t think anyone has a clear idea of what will happen in the industry. The erosion of the silo model has already started and I think it will be a feature of 2017. If the motivation for doing this is just to retain more of the production budget, then it will have limited success. If it is motivated by the desire to produce a more creative result together with a more efficient production process, then there is a greater chance of success. 

Framestore made a conscious decision over five years ago to find different solutions to our client’s needs. We are now at a point where we are amongst the best in class not only in VFX for Film, TV and Commercials but also in Experiential, VR, AR and Dark Rides. 2017 will be a year for taking risk and delivering impactful projects. You can only do that if you have built the company to that end. Brands are open to different solutions; some agencies and production companies will restructure to create those solutions and others will just continue to talk a good game but hope that they can sustain a business model based on the past not the future. 

2) This year—even more so than previous year’s—is going to be an important one for everyone not just in our industry. We need to focus less on what has been happening and work towards a greater understanding of people’s needs. If we can see the greater picture it will bring a better understanding of what we can offer as solutions to brands wanting to connect with their customers. Then we need to structure our companies in such a way that will not be constrained by the way we have done business for the last thirty years but rather build on the legacy that we have created in ways that are relevant to the next five years. I can’t detail the projects that we are currently working on but I can tell you that Framestore in 2017 looks very different to Framestore twelve months ago.

3) The Field Trip to Mars exemplifies the project that provided the most valuable lessons last year:
 - Have the courage to take on groundbreaking projects 
 - Trust your team to live up to their potential 
 - Always keep at the forefront of your mind what you - and the client -  are trying to achieve
 - Find a way of working as a true collaborative partnership (and McCann NY were a great partner with us). Groundbreaking work involves taking risks and when you have partners who understand this and are supportive you can deliver a remarkable experience.
 - You can’t always trust third party suppliers of brand new technology!

4) I have stopped using Facebook. There are some things that I miss but I feel liberated and not particularly less informed about the world. I’d rather spend the time that I’ve saved actually talking to people. But frankly, even watching a re-run of Seinfeld is more uplifting than the majority of time spent on Facebook.

1) More different outlets for brand communications and advertising. Nothing will go away - look at print and radio - but there will be more ways to attempt to reach and connect with consumers. Creatively, this is hugely exciting as the means of production and distribution have never been more democratic; while from a business point of view, it requires one to be more focused and nimble than ever.

2) To look at the change that’s happening around us as an opportunity. Not to get bogged down in the way “things should be”, but to look at the way things are and what they are changing into.

3) Being very focused on your own company’s brand message, work and really digging in to understand its DNA. And then communicating that to your clients and potential clients in a clear and effective way. Don’t assume that because you know the story or that there was some press on it, that everyone knows. We are all living in a sea of communications and no one can take everything in.

1) Creatively ideas will continue to move from the traditional to emerging platforms across all media. Ideas that tell stories across all of these platforms will be the big winners. The center of gravity of these ideas will change but the ones that engage across film and social, experiential, PR, branded entertainment and new emerging platforms will be the ones we all remember.

2) Looking for big brands to play bigger roles in society. To be fearless as we continue to pursue creative platforms that can stretch to hold content that can educate, entertain and engage. As we pitch new business and expand relationships with existing clients we have a pretty high bar when it comes to what we feel will move both our clients brands and our own brand forward. With regard to agency culture we want to change the way we each think about, connect with and represent those different from ourselves.

3) You never know when or where that next game changing client or idea will appear. Never write off the little things. Chase down and every opportunity but remember to stay honest and true to what you believe in deciding what to pursue. Once you’ve decided to engage, jump in head first and don’t look back.

4) Meditation! I’m 15 days in and feeling great. (I’m also really bad at keeping resolutions.)

1) 2017 will be a year of action and breaking through in this saturated environment whether in a marketing, digital, or political level. Hopefully people will take more risks and there will be more purpose driven creative. In the age where social media has grown to feel like a true human connection, in 2017 I hope people will look beyond their devices, engage and find the value of in person contact and communication. Each year in business we talk about the change in the industry and business models, being agile, flexible, nimble. 2017 will seed that this is the norm and drives innovation.

4) I know I am not alone in feeling there aren’t enough hours in the day, but I am committed to trying to be present in the moment. Whether that is doing something to center myself, or time to hear what someone is saying without distraction, giving oneself room to pause and reflect is vital.

1) Ad agencies start to realize that certain production companies if not all of them have the capabilities to help at an early stage in the process of creating great ideas over many platforms and bring them in on the fun. Also we will see more and more brands coming to production companies for creative ideas. They’re recognizing the incredible talent that our directors and artists and internal teams offer, and they’re making us partners earlier on in their creative processes. It’s a thrilling time in production!

3) There was so much learned in 2016. One thing that was more apparent than ever: don’t count out new technologies and innovation. Everything old is not new again. I’ve always been told to take risks in my professional life, but never before have I seen one of those risks pay off the way our investment in VR did in 2016. Hiring a head of VR and formalizing the practice has been one of the most exciting and rewarding initiatives we’ve undertaken since I joined Tool five years ago.

1) Creatively I think this is the year where innovation and emotion merge. We’ll see compelling storytelling through techniques such as experiential, VR, and AI. This trend will build stronger connections between brands and audiences that are measured, refined and targeted to emotional influence. Clearly the challenge for all us content creators is to tell authentic stories that generate a wide variety of entertainment at a price that makes everyone happy. The old adage of FAST-CHEAP-GOOD, you only get two. Is now FAST-CHEAP-GREAT – how do we deliver all three?

2) There’s amazing talent out in the world and I want to find the right people for the job. It’s not always the most obvious choice, sometimes the riskiest approach can provide the most unique outcome. My resolution is literally thinking outside the box as much as possible.

3) It’s not as much about keeping up with current trends as it is adapting them into the most effective work. Yes, you could create an innovative idea but if you don’t know what do with it, it falls flat.

1) As production partners, we are increasingly being approached early on to help develop concepts. It’s the realization of what we have been advocating for some time; early involvement means more successful productions start to completion. It’s like a cooking challenge where you are given gourmet ingredients and are asked to come up with a delicious meal. To be a trusted partner requires strong, experienced producers who know all of the complexities involved in producing all kinds of media. That allows creatives, both agency side and directors, to focus on what they most enjoy with the protection of knowing what’s possible. This movement is also part of what I see as the renewal of the relationship - that with all things being equal, you choose to work with people you trust to solve the puzzle. It’s a people-driven industry and we’ve seen a refocus on valuing the relationships forged and the interest in collaborating in a more resourceful, more open way.

2) As the relatively new President of the AICP Southwest chapter, one of my big goals is to foster more connectedness throughout the chapter. We have exceptional talent here, but often operate in silos and identify with where we work rather than operating as part of a creative community. If we can encourage a sense of place and pride in the region, we will raise everyone’s profile as a creative destination.

3) To be completely who we are, and appreciate it. We aren’t going to be all things to all people, and we are okay with it. We compete not by trying to be like other companies, but by being ourselves. Too often, people are lured by the shiny object of what’s trendy or by competing through similarity. Resisting that temptation in favor of going by instinct, being passionate about what you have to offer, isn’t always as simple as it sounds but it is, in the long run, more valuable. This isn’t a resolution as much as a reminder: be yourself.

4) To continue to invest my time in people I care about. Mentoring and developing talent and on a broader scale. To be appreciative of that simple idea, and act on it.

1) Big budget advertising will still be dominated by major brands, but the barrier to entry for advertising has really been lowered thanks to the Internet and mobile. There is a huge demand for great content across all platforms right now. Viewers want a great story and great concept whether they’re consuming it online, in a headset, in a live experience, or on TV.

2) I think 2016 really ended on a low note for the U.S., and I’d like to see Biscuit rectify the negativity in 2017 by continuing to create amazing work that inspires—whether it’s a funny commercial that brightens someone’s day, or a groundbreaking PSA that incites positive change. Director Aaron Stoller’s latest work for the National Partnership for Women & Families does a bit of both.
In the PSA, a 260-week pregnant paralegal struggles throughout her workday, unable to afford enough vacation time to actually deliver her baby. The commercial shows the enormously pregnant woman humorously maneuver around the office, while shedding light on the darker issue of workers who are unable to take paid family leave. It’s entertaining, but it also sends a bold message that sticks with the viewer.

3) Roll with the punches, and be willing to adapt and change. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as you’ve planned or imagined, and in order to succeed you need to be able to deal with it. There were a lot of curveballs last year, and many of us in the advertising industry were surprised if not shattered by the outcome of the election. It’s just another reminder of how we need to be ready to adapt and work together to create calls to action.

4) A healthier 2017. Am I being too vague? Seriously though, I think that’s really what everyone strives for after the holidays.

1) Each year the branded opportunities get richer and more diverse. About twenty percent of our work is now in VR/AR storytelling and we’re seeing a lot of growth in that vertical for us.
I’d also like to think there’ll be a substantial increase in bold ads and campaigns that feed the activist spirit in each of us. The Women’s March helped bring together a lot of great voices with some powerful things to say ... and it was a whole new level of awesome. I’m looking forward to effecting a change and helping the greater community.

2) I love that the animated short, PEARL, was the first VR film to receive an Academy award nomination. We’re really pushing for that seminal project that marries the best of creativity and technology ... with a brand. Yeah, I know it’s an easy task.

3) We produced a VR film for Oculus on the NBA finals that I’m super proud of. We had several storytelling challenges and worked against some of the common filmmaking “rules” for VR. The first was that we created a 25-minute film when the norm is well under ten minutes. The pacing was super fast at roughly five seconds per shot instead of the typical twenty seconds per shot. I’d say the lesson is not to be so precious with conventional thought and push beyond our comfort zone.

4) Strive to be good to people and to make meaningful positive change.

1) 2017 is going to be the year in which we see the first wave of customized content which taps into the partitioning power of vast big data networks. It will start small but programmatic advertising will have implications well beyond the confines of media buying. What’s so exciting about that to me as a creator is that we will finally take the first steps towards being able to speak directly to each individual member of the audience in a way that’s personal to them.

2) We founded Bullitt just three years ago with the belief that entertainment would become a central driver for global brand messaging and a mission to provide our partners with the very best the world of entertainment has to offer. We are constantly asking ourselves how we can better accomplish that, but our mission remains the same. As 2017 begins we are excited to see that brands truly are embracing the power of entertainment as a platform to drive brand identity and promote values. These are the two most enduring aspects of a messaging campaign in the eyes of a consumer because they are how your audience connects on an emotional level with what you are saying... Do they identify with who you are? Do they believe the same things? If the answers are “yes” then you have a bond that is incredibly difficult to break.

3) That China is one of the most forward-thinking markets in the world. The country has matured in a fully digital age and is unconstrained by the legacy thinking that, in many ways, still holds other parts of the world back—it’s a perfect example of the leap-frog effect. In 2016 we formed a number of strategic alliances with top tier media and advertising companies within China to expand our presence there.

4) I kind of feel like the New Years resolution is the kiss of death for actually achieving something you want. Achievement comes from a never ending desire to accomplish something. So, I don’t actually have a ‘resolution’ per se, but I would love to run a 6-minute mile again :)

1) In 2017 we will continue to transition our company to be able to respond to the needs of the many opportunities that come our way. Cutters Studios has seen more and more of its business coming from diverse sources, i.e., marketing agencies, PR agencies, professional service companies, client direct, along with our traditional ad agency business. The way Cutters Studios is set up providing very high level production, editorial, design, animation, VFX, audio mixing, sound design and new media puts us in a very enviable position to offer content creation from start to finish. Creatively, maybe a continued trend of more long form storytelling as we’ve done recently with Hallmark. Also, more brands continuing to venture into Cause Marketing. Using their power and money to bring attention to worthy causes.

2) This is the year of diversification as we move into new areas of opportunity. It’s early in the year, but we’re working on some very creative projects for BCBS, McDonald’s, Nintendo and more. Unfortunately, none are released for air yet so we can’t be specific regarding the creative.

3) It’s always the same: It’s your creative talent and the culture that encourages the continued growth of that talent. As this industry gets more and more competitive, our talent, culture and relationships are what will see us through.

4) To continue to remind myself that I’m a very lucky guy to be working with so many talented cool people!

1) One of the beautiful things about our industry is our collective ability to conceive and execute big ideas quickly—being creatively nimble allows the cultural climate to inform our work and for our work to react and respond in kind.

In the last year, we’ve seen a groundswell dictate for authenticity and 2017 will continue to see viewers and clients demanding stories that elicit a genuine connection—the kind of stories that leave an impact on the viewer and cut through the communication clutter to touch on some visceral truth. We’ve seen a lot of clients gravitate toward real people work, both for poignant scripts and situational humor, but good storytelling takes so many forms: a striking image, a beautifully woven narrative, an absurdist moment that leaves you belly laughing.

Confronted with the uncertainty and fragility that 2017 has ushered in, storytelling and the way that it binds and inspires us is more important now than ever.

2) I was so encouraged to see the Free the Bid movement gain traction last year and felt privileged to be part of an industry that is taking concrete steps toward becoming more inclusive and supportive of all talent.
We are lucky enough to have some amazing women on our roster and it is so exciting to get them involved in projects that might not have been so open in the past.

Our director Tricia Brock kicked off 2017 shooting a campaign that took it one step further—an agency came to us with great female targeted scripts that been helmed by a largely female creative team, who in turn insisted on working with a woman director and editor. It was wonderful to see all of the amazingly talented women in all facets of the industry come together to make something amazing!

Our industry is really leading the pack here and I hope that 2017 will see even more opportunities to promote diversity of all kinds.

3) We are dedicated to being true partners with our agencies—our directors love to lean into each project, letting it creatively evolve as the job unfolds, and we’re always ready to dig deep to tackle any production hurdles that arise. A lot of factors make our work more challenging than ever—shorter timelines, tightening budgets, increased deliverables—but collaborating together we can find solutions that let the work flourish. And personally, I try to approach each job with exuberance and bask in the movie magic we’re get to experience and create everyday—we are so lucky to call filmmaking work.

4) 2017 is a year about getting my hands dirty and getting involved in my community more actively. 2016 taught us that we’re all accountable—we can’t sit back and expect the best outcome. And I’ve also resolved to brush up on my billiard skills and finally become a pool shark.

1) I feel a creative revolution coming! Right now the business feels as fun and creative as I’ve seen in a long time. We’re seeing great creative that’s pushing, while working within the boundaries of the clients. 2017 has already started with a bang and we’re expecting it to continue.

2) To keep having fun and keep pushing ourselves creatively. They’re so many great opportunities to make people socially aware of what’s happening outside our personal bubbles. Station developed three relevant very topical projects last year that made us very proud and we’re already slated to create more in 2017. (Projects- #OneMoreDay, Motionpoems- How Do You Raise A Black Child and “Wake Up”)

3) As always to never make a decision based on money but always do what’s best creatively and somehow the money will work itself out.

4) To be a better husband, father and person every day.

1) Brands will continue to move back to evocative storytelling versus focusing on functional benefits. We need to win consumers’ hearts before their minds in order to build long-term relationships. Data will have a great role in helping guide, adjust and make the work stronger by understanding consumer responses.

The industry will continue to sharpen its focus on innovation. This year we will continue to see a lot about applying tech and infusing it into everything we do. Over the past few years there have been major advancements in things like wearables, AR, VR, voice, and beyond. The focus ahead will be on building these innovations into the work we create for our clients and the ways we engage with consumers.

We need to continue to play a significant role in our clients’ businesses, where we serve as more than just their creative agency, but as partners who help grow their brands and businesses through creativity, data and innovation. Product innovation is one specific place we can have an even greater impact this year.

2) 2016 was a great year for Energy—a year where we tripled our awards over the year before. This sets the creative bar higher than ever before. In the year ahead we will continue to see great storytelling coming out of our agency, with bigger, bolder creative for more brands, across more categories.

3) Unlock untapped potential. I started putting together new creative teams on different projects to push people outside of their comfort zones. Mixing things up forced people to step up to the plate and showed me what each person was made of while helping ignite passion within each of them to do great work.

4) To surround myself with great minds and to keep pushing to become a better, stronger, more energized agency.

1) I don’t have a crystal ball, but I am getting into the power of crystals. My wife has the house filled with them. The industry needs to think hard about how people are feeling in the current cultural climate. This is a time when people are questioning more, and making their own stand. They’re also looking at brands in the same way. We say this a lot at CP+B, but actions speak louder than words. Brands can take action and make a stand. You see this with REI’s Opt Outside work. It’s hard to make a brand meaningful to someone if we keep saying the same things. An action like REI’s is a stand. It helps define what the brand means to you. Warby Parker, TOMS, you get the drift. This is what changes perceptions and behavior towards a brand.

2) Adding meaning to a brand is the most important thing we can do. My resolution is to continue creating more purpose in the brands we work with here. Create actions that help define who they are. And, if in some way we can help this planet or humanity in the same breath—even better. We have a couple of projects like this in the works. Overall, our mission at CP+B is super clear. It’s the same one every year, and just like every other year we dive into it wholeheartedly: to create the most written about, talked about and outrageously effective work in the world.

3) 2016 taught us a lot about the world we live in – how differently we all think and how differently we see the future. But I’m not sure specific work experiences in 2016 were more compelling than other years. What I have learned over the last few years through the many smart people with whom I’m lucky enough to work every day, is that positivity, pure optimism paired with dedicated action can move mountains. Stay positive, believe, work, inspire, encourage, support (and read SHOOT Magazine). These things will create success in the year ahead.

4) I always overshare. Just ask anyone at CP+B about my meniscus or calcium score. So here we go. One of my resolutions is to get more connected with different aspects of this universe (I know that sounds trite – but it’s a goal). The hardest, and most fun resolution, is to ski the Royal Elk Glade at Beaver Creek. I promised my son I would do it this year with him. Oh, and to lower my calcium score.

1) It’s chilling to note that many fear we are moving into a “post-truth” age. As an industry that polls even lower than the new POTUS, we have an obligation to fight this trend tooth and nail. Fight for not only our industry’s credibility but that of our entire culture. And that starts with advising brands to PROVE, not claim. To never take eyeballs for granted. There is also evidence that brands are over-relying on technology at the expense of great storytelling. How many times have you sat in a 3D showing of a film and said, “Why is this in 3D?”. Great storytelling will always be the key to building relationships with brands. But it starts with truth. And being disciplined over what role technology plays.

Business-wise, there are no rules. It’s a wild west out there. More and more entities are emerging to craft those stories. I think none will render any others obsolete. There is more than enough room for all of us to help brands truthfully earn relationships, not assume them.

2) We are a Content Engine. Our Resolution is always: Never forget that—even if we all stopped making content tomorrow—audiences would still have enough content begging for their viewership to last the rest of their natural lives. Literally. Always, always, always consider what it takes to get audiences to consume content WILLINGLY. Make their eyeballs your eyeballs. Build trust one frame at a time. From a business standpoint, let every single engagement be a Proof-of-Concept engagement. Be willing to apply yourself in an ala carte way to those who are late-adopters. Always put story before glory.

Since we all tend to emulate the pop culture relevance of our cousins in entertainment, I hope we will all continue to pay close attention to what it took for them to earn that relevance in the first place. That, we do.

3) We launched in the fall of 2016 to find—through massive amounts of positive feedback and engagement—that we could not possibly be any timelier with what we’re doing. Budgets will always “suck”. So, there is a clear need for nimbler, more efficient, laser-guided storytelling that directs more and more of those $$ to the screen. We’ve also learned that while not every brand or agency partner may be ready to operate exactly as we’d wish, if we remain malleable and open to a confluence of ideas and opportunities, we can’t help but add value.

4) Talk is nice. Proof is better. Go with the latter. Be nicer than necessary.

1) The landscape will continue to change and we need to continue to push creativity and take risks with work that can actually make a difference. This is a time where we all want to be heard, so what better time to do that. Be brave.

2) Always look ahead, always treat everyone graciously and with respect, which can be a lost art in this business. Be open to adapting as our world - and our business = continues to change.

1) I don’t think anyone can deny that the unfolding new world order will color every part of our lives, including the advertising industry both creatively and in terms of how we do business. What is up for debate is specifically “how” and I think that’s difficult to predict at this time. I received an email update from the company that runs our benefits yesterday attempting answer what the recently signed Executive Orders mean for our business and they may just as well have embedded a gif of Garfield shrugging in the body of the email. Even their best business and lawyerly minds don’t seem to know. Obviously, we’re all hoping for the best.

2) I don’t do New Year’s resolutions - personally or business-wise. They are just something to break. Our continued goal is to collaborate with our partners creatively and financially to put good work out there.

3) I find that every job, every mistake, and every success is an opportunity to learn something for the next time. Hard to pinpoint one as the most relevant. It’s all cumulative.

4) Ha ha—nice try. No resolutions. I meant it.

1) I think the business will continue to be extremely competitive. This makes it very important to do the best creative work possible, and to maintain great relationships with your clients. We value every opportunity to create new relationships, and to make sure we are having fun doing it. We never lose sight of the fact that it goes beyond just exercising our own creativity; we’re helping a client launch a successful campaign.

2) I know this is redundant, but the business is still very competitive, so it’s more important than ever to do the best work possible, and to have solid relationships with clients. We just finished shooting a really nice project that Pam Thomas directed for UC Health. We were introduced to a new agency through an agency producer who is a very good friend of ours. So that’s a perfect example of a strong prior relationship introducing us to a new agency with an incredibly strong piece of creative. Lizzie and I both feel that our favorite part of this business is the people we get to work with, so we really appreciate the chance to make more connections.

3) We made a documentary last year that we are so proud of and that will be in several film festivals this year (should we say this since we don’t know for sure yet?). It was so much fun because everyone at Community got to participate in telling a powerful story, while also meeting new crew and learning how to be more resourceful. This is one of several “outside the box” productions we had a chance to do last year, and we’ve learned that making good content, no matter what form, is the future. Most projects we do now have so many various pieces to them beyond just the traditional TV commercial, and it’s really exciting. Being able to do all kinds of filmmaking and productions opens us up to more business opportunities for sure.

4) Umm, lose some weight hopefully. Oh, and to be more politically active, because…yeah...

1) I think we’re going to see the continuation of two key trends: The proliferation of brand direct engagements outside of traditional agency relationships, and the growth of higher volume/lower cost digital video content. We’re seeing more and more global brands building their own internal creative teams and agencies, bypassing the traditional agency model and coming to the production, VFX and post community directly. On the other end of the spectrum, the growth in mobile, social and digital video platforms is also driving new engagement models. Creatively there are new opportunities for companies like ours to provide end-to-end services, from core creative to editorial, VFX and post – for both traditional ‘high end’ work as well as low cost/high volume content.

2) At Deluxe we have multiple brands that face the feature film, TV and advertising communities. In general, features work is global, while advertising is local. Behind the curtain across our companies, we have been working to extend integrated global production capacity; giving our clients the ability to tap into global capacity, technology and creative resources anywhere in the world, but still offer a high-quality personal experience at a local level. It’s not our new year’s resolution – we’ve been doing this for some time. The focus is to extend and expand.

3) Get as much cash as you can up front. That’s not new; it’s just still true.

4) I’d like to get more sleep.

1) I hope this is the year the industry stops focusing on channel agnostic ideas and instead starts thinking about big brand ideas that seamlessly move across channels. Technology has a nasty way of distracting brands from their purpose. Too often we see technology for technology’s sake. In these examples you can usually swap out one brand for another, sometimes even an entire category for another. It’s lazy and it doesn’t serve the brand. I think we will also start to see brands offering consumers actual utility as opposed to passive engagements. The trick will be to do this while still serving the brand’s greater purpose. Again not utility for utility’s sake, but utility to serve the greater brand narrative. I have a feeling we’ll see some of the most interesting advances in this area come from mobile.

2) Do more that scares me.

3) Make sure your work is relevant. Always ask, “Will anyone care?” Because chances are they won’t. Which means you have to keep starting over until you’re pretty sure they will.

4) I was in the very fortunate position of having a few months off between jobs this year. In those months, I was never tethered to my cell phone during family time. My New Year’s resolution is to keep that up in my new job.