Highdive has announced the promotion of industry veteran Jen Passaniti to President of 1986 Studios, the agency’s in-house production arm. The move follows an impressive year of 117% growth for 1986 Studios in 2023.
Passaniti will continue to serve as Head of Production for Highdive while spearheading 1986 Studios’ strategic vision and production operations.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the way Jen has led 1986 to great growth and creative output,” said Megan Lally, CEO of Highdive. “Jen’s creativity and business know-how can be seen in everything from our award-winning Super Bowl commercials to our scrappy social media content for clients. Under her leadership the last four years, 1986 has added talent from renowned shops such as The Mill, doubled in size, and is on track for another 50% growth this year.”
Passaniti’s industry accolades include two Emmy nominations, AdAge’s 2023 Head of Agency Production of the Year, and a spot on AdAge’s Leading Women list in 2021. Her expertise has driven 1986 Studios to become a powerhouse for commercial production, efficiently delivering high-quality work for clients across diverse platforms.
The decision to elevate Passaniti to President comes as client demand grows for faster, more efficient production capabilities and innovative tools like AI integration.
“Jen is a true visionary when it comes to leveraging the latest tech and tools to increase efficiency for our clients’ productions,” said Chad Broude, Co-Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Highdive. “She has played a key role in integrating smart AI tools into our processes, allowing us to deliver work with greater speed and precision, all while maintaining our high creative standards.”
Beyond her achievements in production, Passaniti is an active mentor in the advertising industry. She is deeply involved in initiatives like the Commercial Director Diversity Program, which fosters opportunities for underrepresented talent, and AdAge’s The List initiative through the Generation Next Mentorship program.
“It has been such an honor to watch the 1986 team grow and take on new work that is pushing the boundaries when it comes to commercial production,” said Passaniti. “With my expanded role at Highdive, I’m looking forward to continuing to create award-winning work that moves the needle for our clients and inserts them into relevant cultural conversations.”
With Passaniti at the helm, 1986 Studios is poised for another milestone year. Her leadership and commitment to innovation position the studio as a leader in the rapidly evolving landscape of commercial production, further cementing Highdive’s reputation for delivering groundbreaking creative work.
ALSO READ:
This article was brought to you for FREE.
If you rely on Reel Chicago for your news then please
keep The REEL alive by contributing here.
