CONTACT

ED ZAZZERA

I’m a seasoned multi-platform integrated producer and leader, with over 20 years’ experience in advertising production, obsessed with bringing transformational ideas to life in all shapes, sizes, forms and worlds.

My focus is, first and foremost, on creative production with craft in execution at the center of everything. I love to make ideas great! I have produced countless branded content films, commercials, experiences, social content and integrated projects. Throughout my career my work has received honors, as both Producer and Head of Production, at Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clio, AICP, AICP Next, the Webby’s and others.

With 10 years experience running production departments for Dentsu Creative, McCann Health, BBH New York, DDB New York & Red Urban NY, I’ve directly managed integrated teams of Content, Digital, Experiential, Print & Art Producers, and Business Affairs specialists. I enjoy building the best integrated production teams on the planet, capable of keeping up with the ever-changing production landscape and demands of today.

I’ve also managed revenue generating internal production & post production studios - consisting of Editors, Directors, Animators and Producers. Implemented best practices for efficient workflow processes for production & post and built out bespoke, agile, social content creation capabilities for our client’s specific needs.

EXPERIENCE

DENTSUCREATIVE | HEAD OF PRODUCTION | 2021 -

Lead production across all Dentsu Creative US agencies.
Manage a production team of 160 producers, business affairs managers, studio artists, creators and innovators.
Guided the transformation and integration of the production teams for legacy agency brands (McGarry Bowen, 360i, Firstborn, MKTG and Isobar) to work as one cohesive team, guided by one process and vision.
Enable the team to deliver highly crafted creative at scale no matter the medium or budget, from traditional to innovation, small social posts to big TV, to experiential and fully integrated campaigns.

McCANN HEALTH | DIRECTOR of INTEGRATED Production | 2019 - 2021

Brought in to establish and define integrated production @ McCann Health.
From the ground up, built and manage an integrated team that produces across all areas of production: Content, Art, Print, Digital, Experiential, and more…
Established production process and best practices for the agency.
Manage all aspects of staffing plans and SOW’s.
Responsible for executional excellence across all areas of production.
Work in tight collaboration and partnership with the CCO, ECD’s & CD’s to maintain high execution standards and craft.
Ensure effective training and mentoring processes for younger producers.
Responsible for production education across the agency.
Manage production for global clients: Eli Lilly, Astra-Zeneca, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, J&J, Novartis, RB, BMS, GSK and more.

BBH New York | DIRECTOR of Production | 2018 - 2019

Managed an integrated team of Content, Art & Print Producers, and Business Affairs managers.
Managed BBH’s In-House Production Studio, The Slaughterhouse, comprised of Editors, Directors, Animators, Audio engineers, and Producers. The studio created work across Film/Video, Still, Social Media, Live Action & Post Production with budget ranges from $5k - $1MM. Implemented practices for efficient workflow processes for production, post-production and archiving content. Maintained and managed the studio’s P&L.
Active member of the BBH NY leadership team.
Maintained tight working relationships with agency CCO and ECD’s to ensure that production best practices lead to exceptional production execution.
Ensured processes that included production throughout agency process – from brief through execution.
Lead initiatives around mentoring & training producers.
Ensure myself, my team and creatives are up to date on all emerging production talent and technology.
Responsible for all production hires, from agency to studio production for staff and freelance roles.
Manage all aspects of staffing plans and scopes of work.
Maintain a strong reputation and relationships within the production community.
Regularly invited to judge for advertising production related award shows and to participate in industry related panels.
Managed and produced for all of our clients; Playstation, Brighthouse Financial, Grub Hub, Seamless, Harman Kardon, TAP Portugal, Vaseline.

DDB NY & Red Urban NY | Head of Content Production | 2009 - 2017

Managed an integrated team of Content, Digital, Art & Print Producers, and Business Affairs group.
Managed DDB’s In-House Production Studio consisting of Editors, Directors, Animators and Producers. Led several in-house productions that resulted in award winning work for Water Is Life, Smithsonian Zoo, and NYC Ballet. The studio created work across Film/Video, Still, Social Media, Live Action & Post Production with budget ranges from $5k - $1MM.
Via the Studio, built agile, social content capabilities and teams for our more socially driven clients to deliver on the “always on” aspects of their business.
Helped form integrated production at DDB, along with establishing a new integrated workflow process for both general advertising production and internal studio production.
Manage all aspects of staffing plans and scopes of work.
Worked in tight collaboration with the agency CCO to maintain high executional standards.
Lead initiatives around mentoring & training producers.
Responsible for hiring across the production group and keeping an eye out for top talent.
Maintain a strong reputation and relationships within the production community.
Regularly invited to judge for advertising production related award shows.
Managed and produced for clients: Heineken, Dos XX, Tecate, Mars, State Farm, Cotton, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Electrolux, Atlantic Healthcare, Eli Lilly, Merck, Qualcomm, Exxon, Huawei, Time Warner Cable, BBVA, Facing Addiction, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival.

BBDO | Executive Producer | 2004 - 2009

Produced filmed content for all media across the following accounts: Monster, DirecTV, Snickers, FedEx, G4, Guinness, Red Stripe, Motorola, Target, Pepsi, Starbucks, Mountain Dew, AMP, Conservation International and eBay.
Managed and mentored jr. producers. Responsible for their growth and development.

Cliff Freeman & Partners | Senior Producer | 1999 - 2004

Produced filmed content for all media across the following accounts: Fox Sports, TBS, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Mohegan Sun, Budget, Midas, Go.com, Value City, Coke, Quizno’s, and Staples.