Franki went in-depth about the IHC team, explaining how each member contributes creatively and practically.
This doesnt just apply to our public face, but especially internally when we are making business decisions.
The continuity between the videos is very important, and we are always expanding on the mythology.
My professional life started by playing in bands and organizing concerts.
In late 2003 I moved to Los Angeles.
Around 2014 the original impulses of IHC began to wear thin for me.
I wanted something more.
From there we started working with Sundance and Adult Swim producing events and marketing for them.
And so, we began our transition to what IHEARTCOMIX is now.
Today IHC exists primarily as a creative agency with a specialty in connecting music and geek culture.
We work with tentpole movie studios and independent films to popular musicians and world-class brands.
True to form, we never stopped creating ourselves.
Take us through a recent workday.
Recent work day in late 2018 included:
Wake up, shower, coffee/breakfast and small morning workout.
We discussed next steps.
Post call we assembled the team and delegated duties.
Met with Adult Swim at their Burbank office to discuss next steps.
We had a busy 2018 with them producing several event and marketing projects.
This meeting was about setting the stage for 2019.
The video was released on 11/2/18.
This preview happened as the opening of my monthly DJ night calledHITS!atGold Diggersin Los Angeles.
IHC 1NFINITY A&R outreach to music artists we are interested in signing.
Casting for a new photo shoot collaboration by the mega-talented Parker Day.
She is creating photos starring human versions of our cartoon characters calledLost Daze.
This is part of our preparation for our 15th anniversary in 2019.
Check-in on current in-production Pabst Road Show, a 13-city experiential distributor presentation we developed and produced for Pabst.
At this point we only had 3-4 shows left.
Wrapping up our Tenacious DPost-ApocalyptoZone at LA Comic Con activation with a recap deck.
Organizing a LA screening of the documentaryMATANGI / MAYA / M.I.Aat the Regent Theatre.
2019 strategy planning, which includes our 15th anniversary, new hires and new goals.
I recently hired my first one.
Post work day Crossfit class.
Attended a work related event.
The IHC office is in the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles.
The walls are mainly decorated with art from our various past projects or murals.
We also have several handmade costumes lying around as well as an endless cascade of weird stuff.
We like to keep it fun and creative.
My personal desk sits in the back of the room.
I am surrounded by white boards as I like to keep ideas easily accessible at all times.
Besides that my desk is fairly simple.
Whats your best shortcut or life hack?
I know A LOT of people from all kinds of industries and disciplines.
Where conversations are with them, their specific job roles, etc.
Its broken up between music, entertainment and brands mostly and then split between creatives and industry.
HOWEVER I wish there was an even more efficient way, but I havent found it yet.
Traditional address books just dont cut it.
HMU if you have the secret!
Where conversations are with them, their specific job roles, etc.
IHC 1NFINITY is famous for music videos that share a fictional universe.
How does that shared universe affect the process of making music videos?
First off, we are essentially making mini-movies each time.
Second, and probably most important, each video needs to be a collaboration with the artist.
This is always the most difficult aspect to get right and usually the most complicated when finalizing the product.
The balance is tricky.
Third, we are universe building.
With each video and in the time between them, we are writing story, creating props or designing.
This expresses itself as experiential and social campaigns around narrative elements, movie posters, merch and fan screenings.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
While decks are standard in most industries, our decks take on a special place in our workflow.
We go over-the-top in terms of design and the story we are trying to tell.
We pride ourselves on their uniqueness.
We have decks not just for projects, but for just about every aspect of IHC.
They are created as a collaborative effort internally and no project officially begins until fleshed out in this format.
Hes the dependable freak in the room.
We are creative partners on our characters, TV show projects and the IHC 1NFINITY storyline.
The majority of video content from IHC has come through him.
Ashley Aguirre | Sales & Marketing:Ashley is a wizard, especially when it comes to decks.
Most of our design and business materials go through her.
She excels at handling clients, being creative and generally inspiring the team.
Shes the glue that keeps us together.
She helps me directly with day-to-day management.
Hes the dependable freak in the room.
John Travis | Business Affairs:John started with IHC at the end of 2017.
He runs a company calledHollywood Plumbingthat helps get creative businesses in shape financially.
He handles the majority of our business affairs now and has been our secret weapon.
Weve just filled the position and are excited for the next chapter.
Beny Ashburn | Accounts:Beny works with us freelance on agency projects.
However, shes so involved at this point its hard to deny the incredible influence shes had.
Her experience has brought a new level of professionalism we needed.
Dina Murietta | Event Production:Dina is one of our two main event producers.
She can tackle any size project and is a great team player.
We are lucky to have her on our side.
Robyn Baskins | Event Production:Robyn is our other main producer.
Shes mainly NYC based, so comes on board mostly for projects outside of LA.
Shannon Cornett | Event Production:Shannon excels at concert production.
Shes my go-to when we have music or comedy related events.
We come from a similar DIY background and speak a language not normally understood in the agency world.
Inge Colsen | PR:Inge has handled IHCs PR off and on for years!
Shes been with us through thick and thin.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
Lots and lots of notes.
Lately Ive been moving towards making the list shared, so team members can contribute where they can.
How do you recharge or take a break?
I watch a lot of TV and movies or read comics to shut off.
Drawing, writing or creating playlists if Im feeling creative.
Exercise or travel adventures do the trick too.
Mostly, I just need to be alone and be in my own space away from the madness.
Whats your favorite side project?
Ive been writing my first feature length screenplay the past year or so.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
I recently finished Walter Isaacsons biographies ofLeonardo da VinciandBenjamin Franklinand just startedSteve Jobs.
All three also found their greatest achievements later in life, which I also find interesting.
If anything, it fuels the fire and Id recommend them to any creative/business person seeking some life lessons.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Chris Swansonof Secretly Canadian, orLights.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
If you dont ask, you dont get.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
The biggest challenge for IHC at the moment is a general understanding of who we are today: Perception.
This issue breaks down two fold:
Business.
2019 will be our 15th year.
For the first 11-12 years we were a very different business.
BUT a lot of the world still thinks of IHC as who we were.
Our new clients dont, but the rest do.
Thats been something weve been addressing more and more.
