Dear Art Producer

In this special live edition of Dear Art Producer, host Heather Elder brings together agency producers Sari Rowe, Jen Lamping, and Billy Diesel, alongside renowned photographer Art Streiber, for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it takes to get noticed, earn trust, and land the job.

From standing out in a crowded field to building lasting relationships, the panel explores what art producers look for beyond a great portfolio, why fresh work and personal outreach matter, and how reputation, collaboration, and chemistry influence hiring decisions. They also get candid about the realities of bidding, the time and effort behind treatments, what makes a creative call stand out, and why asking thoughtful questions can make all the difference.

Plus, hear practical advice for navigating rejection, turning pitches into future opportunities, and building the kind of creative partnerships that keep artists in the conversation long after a single job is over.

Sari Rowe - Freelance Art Producer Jen Lamping - VP, Director of Integrated Production at RPA Billy Diesel - SVP, Executive Broadcast Producer at Omnicom Art Streiber - Editorial and Entertainment Photographer

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In this episode we talk with Rob Haggart (founder of A Photo Editor,) and Mary Dail (President of the Artist Management Association) for a candid conversation about the fear and uncertainty AI is stirring among artists, the ethics and legality of AI training on copyrighted work, the shifting language around usage rights, and how organizations like the AMA are working to educate artists and standardize contract protections.

AI is reshaping the agency world and the way in which advertsing campaigns are concepted and created. In this episode, we sit down with Madi Nauta (Executive Producer, Anomaly) and Denise Knickerbocker (Freelance Art Producer) to talk through what the agency shift really means for working photographers and directors. From how briefs are changing to what clients are now asking for, this is a candid conversation about navigating a pivotal moment in our industry.

Heather and Kelly sit down with producers from Preacher to discuss the work, the challenges, and the changes creatives in the advertising industry are navigating: from AI and evolving client relationships to the way content is being created, consumed, and valued. Season 1, Episode 4 of Community Table.

In this special episode, Heather and Kelly sit down with two art producers from a large holding company and a creative director from an outdoor apparel sports brand to discuss how AI is reshaping creative work, shifting expectations around usage, and redefining the roles behind the work.

Heather and Kelly sit down with producers from Orchard to discuss the work, the challenges, and the changes creatives in the advertising industry are navigating: from AI and evolving client relationships to the way content is being created, consumed, and valued. Season 1, Episode 3 of Community Table.

Heather and Kelly sit down with producers from Droga to discuss the work, the challenges, and the changes creatives in the advertising industry are navigating: from AI and evolving client relationships to the way content is being created, consumed, and valued. Season 1, Episode 2 of Community Table.

In this episode of Dear Art Producer, host Heather Elder talks with Emily Cunningham, Creative Producer at JOAN Creative, about the unexpected path that led her into production and the fast-moving reality of agency life today.

Emily shares how she went from retail visual merchandising to Miami Ad School, where a chance invitation to a production meeting completely changed her career trajectory. After shifting from art direction into production under mentor Sherry Anderson, she eventually joined JOAN.

Known internally as JOAN's "queen of radio," Emily discusses producing everything from motion and audio projects to pitch rips and sizzles, while also serving as a key "historian" for client relationships and brand knowledge. She talks about the importance of bringing production partners in early as briefs evolve, how AI tools are currently being used for previs and creative exploration, and why business affairs conversations around risk matter more than ever.

Connect with our guest:

• Emily Cunningham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyherringdine/

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In this episode of Dear Art Producer, host Heather Elder talks with Lauren Wood, Senior Producer at GUT New York, about the art and reality of modern production.

Lauren shares her path from broadcast and her early days as an SNL page to agency roles at McCann and GUT, and breaks down the producer's role as the bridge between creatives, clients, and vendors and turning big ideas into executable work. She dives into the rise of social-first content, the current (and often misunderstood) role of AI in concepting, and why analog processes still matter in a fast-moving, budget-conscious world.

Along the way, Lauren offers practical insights on sourcing talent, running effective creative calls, navigating bids, and communicating with clarity, especially when timelines slip or decisions don't go your way.

This conversation is a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make great work happen today.

Connect with our guest:

• Lauren Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-e-wood-285560a0/

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Heather Elder's Bio

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In this episode of Dear Art Producer, host Heather Elder sits down with Ali Berk, Head of Creative and Production at Billie, to talk about building a career that blends creative vision with production leadership.

Ali shares her journey from menswear design at Tommy Hilfiger to editorial, then into agency life at 72andSunny and Wieden+Kennedy, working with brands like HBO, Google, and Adidas, all before stepping into her current in-house role at Billie. She unpacks what it really means to lead both creative and production, from shaping brand storytelling across touchpoints to producing work within the realities of annual budgets.

The conversation dives into how she approaches collaboration, why strong creative partnerships matter, and how thoughtful planning sets great work up for success. Ali also offers a clear-eyed perspective on AI's practical role, how she discovers and evaluates talent, and why transparency around budgets and usage is non-negotiable.

Plus: her take on skipping unnecessary triple bids and why the best artists know how to protect spontaneity on set.

Connect with our guest:

• Website: https://www.helloaliberk.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-berk-9010636/

More about your host:

Heather Elder's Bio

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-berk-9010636/