Director of Production

• Apr 2022 - Present

I lead the Production department at the 100+ person communications & marketing agency. As a producer, I operationalize creative ideas and utilize creative problem solving to deliver on them – this includes providing recommendations for the best way to bring it to life and pulling together the best team and crew to execute the vision, always working within budget and timelines and optimizing and troubleshooting as needed. I also oversee a team managing the day-to-day of all creative projects, providing guidance ​and human-centred mentorship. LEADERSHIP• Oversees profitability of the production department.• Identifies opportunities and needs for continued departmental growth.​• Manages, mentors and provides guidance and direction to two direct reports.• Assigns projects based on best fit to Producers who manage the day-to-day workflow.• Defines and optimizes project management and production process and best practices at the agency.• Mediates conversations between creative and internal teams.​• Nurtures and grows positive relationships with internal teams. • Vendor relationship management and growth.​• Receives any workflow/budget/timeline/resourcing-related issues escalation on production projects.​PRODUCER/PROJECT MANAGER• Leads scoping and planning on larger-scale projects with heavy production needs.• Identifies recommended production partners and creative solutions based on need, budget, and timing to ensure high-quality final product and delivery.​ • Collaborates with Creative Director on project assignments and resourcing decisions.​• Involved in creative development process to ensure all ideas being put forward are within budget.• Troubleshoots production challenges and recommends solutions without compromising the final product. ​• Reviews creative production briefs to ensure they are sufficiently complete prior to the briefing.​• Supports account teams on SOW development.​• Quality assurance on creative deliverables.​ Show less

Creative Production Manager

• Jul 2020 - Apr 2022

I manage the Creative department at the 100+ communications and marketing agency, acting as trusted advisor and the first point of contact for all creative and video requests. In the role, I established and enforce a project intake process, briefing documents, and workflow best practices for the department. I built trust with internal teams allowing our volume of work to grow during my time in the role. This role requires me to wear the many hats of project manager, creative operations manager, creative resource manager, and trafficker. I develop and manage budgets and workback schedules for all creative and video projects, which are upwards of 70 projects at any given time (from very small scale to large scale), and I manage the in-house creative team as well as a large team of freelancers, who I assign the work to based on need, budget, timing, and skillset. Show less

Marketing Manager & Director of Content Studio

• Sep 2018 - Jul 2020

LEADERSHIP• Member of the leadership team running an in-house agency providing strategic and creative support to multiple successful firms in the finance industry.• Manage team of up to 5 direct reports; managing all projects and workflow, personnel/HR matters, and professional development.CONTENT/PRODUCER• Pre-production: ideate concepts; scope projects; manage resources and workflow of projects; secure locations; secure stakeholder buy-in of ideas and manage expectations throughout the project.• Production: manage on-the-day shoot logistics, talent coordination, scheduling, and release forms; provide on-set creative direction.• Post-production: oversee video editors, illustrators, graphic designers, and motion graphic artists making creative decisions; monitor delivery timelines and formats; manage overall quality and creative control to ensure clients' vision/interests are met.STRATEGY & PROJECT MANAGEMENT• Lead planning, execution, media support, and reporting on all marketing strategies/tactics. Includes SEO, SEM, social media, email, print, website builds, web content management, and video, visual and written content.• Project manage all deliverables; mentor an Account Coordinator on the day-to-day project/client management. Show less

Marketing Manager

• Apr 2018 - Sep 2018

Account Supervisor

• Aug 2012 - Mar 2018

Client experience: Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, Tourism Nova Scotia, Halifax Shopping Centre, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Saint Mary's University, Sobey School of Business, Algonquin Resort, Town of Wolfville, Irving Oil, Waterfront Development, among others. PROJECT/ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT • Supervised the management of multiple client accounts and ensured all projects were completed on strategy, on budget, and on time. • Maintained senior client relationships and an in-depth knowledge of my clients' business (key issues, industry trends, and competitor situation). • Tracked and reported on financial performance using budget control reports; identified any changes in scope; created all estimates; submitted quarterly projections. • Built project timelines and liaised with internal departments to allocate resources accordingly. • Managed two Account executives who supported on day-to-day project management. STRATEGY • Facilitated and lead brief development and campaign planning using a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach; collaborated with all internal teams (insights, media, social, creative, studio) during this process. • Performed research on target audiences to inform account planning. MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION/CONTENT • Collaborated with video and social media teams to strategize and develop content. • Coordinated all video and photo shoots: managed relationships with external parties (photographers, set extras, agency producers); oversaw talent casting and coordination; secured locations; performed interviews to determine featured stories/people; managed release forms; assisted on-set; etc. RELEVANT LINKS https://trampolinebranding.com/work/ https://www.adsoftheworld.com/media/film/art_gallery_of_nova_scotia_prime_suspects Show less

Production & Hospitality Assistant

• Jul 2009 - Aug 2012

• Managed audience coordination, guest list, and talent hospitality prior to various live-to-tape shoots for Bravo! TV Canada, MuchMusic, and MTV Canada. • Assisted production team and crew on-set during taping (studio runner). • Guests have included Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, K-Os, Emily Haines, Michael Buble, Nikki Yanofsky, Matt Good, Lady Antebellum, and Bryan Adams. • Managed audience coordination, guest list, and talent hospitality prior to various live-to-tape shoots for Bravo! TV Canada, MuchMusic, and MTV Canada. • Assisted production team and crew on-set during taping (studio runner). • Guests have included Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, K-Os, Emily Haines, Michael Buble, Nikki Yanofsky, Matt Good, Lady Antebellum, and Bryan Adams.

Writer / Editor

• Jan 2008 - Aug 2012

• Writer and editor for the now defunct online arts and entertainment magazine, and on the founding team to establish the PR arm of the company. • Managed the publication’s relationship and communication with Universal Music. • Writer and editor for the now defunct online arts and entertainment magazine, and on the founding team to establish the PR arm of the company. • Managed the publication’s relationship and communication with Universal Music.

Editorial Intern & Writer

• Jan 2011 - Sep 2011

• Published 20+ pieces in print and online, including a feature piece in the September issue.• Wrote copy, conducted interviews, and performed research for Fashion, Travel, Beauty, and Culture sections of the magazine.• Pitched ideas in editorial meetings and seasonal planning sessions.• Assisted stylist and art director on set of photo shoots, including the July 2011 cover shoot.• Managed as many as six concurrent fact-checking projects on a daily basis.• Assisted the Publicity and Promotions team at promotional events, including ET Canada’s 6th Birthday Party, ELLE Canada’s 10th Anniversary Party, and H&M’s Style Centre.Writing Samples: https://www.scribd.com/user/156078402/Amanda-Wenek Show less

Blogger

• Jul 2011 - Aug 2011

• Blogged daily (7x week) about my experiences as an intern as part of an Olay-sponsored blog; was featured in a full-page spread in a print issue of the magazine.• Completed TC blog training in effective online writing, including SEO.

Marketing Specialist & Inside Sales Associate

• May 2010 - Dec 2010

• Coordinated a sales team that raised $146 million during a 6-week national sales period resulting in the company’s first public fund listed on the TSX; involved cold calling and pitching fund to arrange meetings, and providing inside sales support and follow-up. • Managed the website on Wordpress—generated original content and managed daily updates. • Developed marketing collateral in-house such as video interviews and sales sheets. • Coordinated a sales team that raised $146 million during a 6-week national sales period resulting in the company’s first public fund listed on the TSX; involved cold calling and pitching fund to arrange meetings, and providing inside sales support and follow-up. • Managed the website on Wordpress—generated original content and managed daily updates. • Developed marketing collateral in-house such as video interviews and sales sheets.

Production Assistant

• Aug 2009 - Aug 2009

Production Assistant for Rethink Breast Cancer: “Save the Boobs” PSA featuring Aliyah-Jasmine Sovani, providing on-set assistance for the day-long shoot. The video went viral, and was discussed in the LA Times, The Huffington Post, The National Post, ABC News, New York Daily News, and on the talk show, The View. Production Assistant for Rethink Breast Cancer: “Save the Boobs” PSA featuring Aliyah-Jasmine Sovani, providing on-set assistance for the day-long shoot. The video went viral, and was discussed in the LA Times, The Huffington Post, The National Post, ABC News, New York Daily News, and on the talk show, The View.

Production Intern, The After Show

• May 2009 - Aug 2009

• Assisted crew and producers for taped and live shoots for The After Show, MTV Live, and MTV News, providing most support to The Aftershow starring Dan Levy and Jessi Cruickshank. • Supported production team through all stages of production including research to aid in interview prep, participating in daily pitch/story meetings, stage set-up and take down, wrangling guests, and studio running on-set. • Prepared research packages, transcribed interviews, and time-coded clips as needed. • Appeared live on The After Show and performed in various taped skits on MTV Live. Show less

Production/Editorial Intern

• Aug 2008 - Aug 2008

Assisted in weekly production tasks such as page layout and copy-editing, performed research and fact-checking, and wrote online updates for a weekly column. Assisted in weekly production tasks such as page layout and copy-editing, performed research and fact-checking, and wrote online updates for a weekly column.

Editor In Chief

• May 2007 - Apr 2008

Editor-in-Chief of The Journal, the student run weekly paper at Saint Mary’s University. Managed the budget and a team of 10 (editors, writers, an Art Director and photographer). Managed story assignments and editing all written pieces, as well as overseeing layout, photography and production.

Features Editor

• Sep 2006 - Apr 2007

Worked as the Features Editor for The Journal, the student run weekly newspaper at Saint Mary’s University. Wrote, edited and managed story assignments for my section.

Research Assistant - Philosophy Department

• May 2007 - Aug 2007

Research Assistant for a philosophy professor writing a book on the topic of bio-ethics in the pharmaceutical industry. Sought out articles relevant to topic, highlighted/summarized important points, wrote essays and created arguments based on research, proofread rough drafts of the book, and provided other support as needed.

Teacher’s Assistant - Philosophy Department

• Sep 2006 - Apr 2007

TA for a first year Critical Thinking (philosophy) course. Assisted with marking assignments, papers and exams.

Residence Disciplinary Committee Member

• Sep 2004 - Apr 2006

Sat on the Residence Disciplinary Committee, participating in bi-monthly hearings for students appealing residence disciplinary decisions. Captured meeting minutes. Sat on the Residence Disciplinary Committee, participating in bi-monthly hearings for students appealing residence disciplinary decisions. Captured meeting minutes.