FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK | by Lucero Ruiz, Creative Director
What a year! Thank you, team, for making it happen in 2022! I look forward to an even more exciting journey in 2023. I don’t know if I say this often enough, but I’m privileged and honored to work with the very best in the industry. Please take some time to celebrate the amazing work every single one of you tackled in 2022. 

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Creative Highlights: 2023 Q2 Spec  

Client: Affiitiv Advertising 
Department:  Copy and Art 
Our Art Department turned up the heat with impressive designs for Q2. Can’t wait to see what’s in store as production takes the baton on the chosen creative!

THE WRITERS' ROOM | by Lis Casanova, Jr. Creative Architect
As a new member of the team, I've gotta give all the credit to the OG crew that's carried the department for years! So, here’s a shout-out to Harriet’s NIADA and Lotus videos which received first-hand, luxury-client compliments; Mark’s Ultimate Driving Machine Electrified, which was submitted for a Telly award; Bill’s role in helping the WeCycle nonprofit establish brand-guidelines. We, of course, could not do it without the help of the traffic team: Mindy, Gina and Jeff! 

The small but super-mighty crew added two new writers to the team in November (myself included) so there is no telling how much we'll achieve in 2023! Already, we’re compiling a Manufacturer Copy Guide that will allow us to write more consistent copy across the board and serve as training material to newcomers as well as freelancers! 

THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR | by Adam Anderson, Video Director
We're dashing through the end of the year with the wind on our heels! Production has finished strong with grand projects for Zeigler and Mitsubishi, an exciting new collab with Lotus, and prepping gifs and videos for the NIADA.

 Also, in the works is new spec for Q2, taking on Summer with hot new creative and feel-good vibes. Not to mention some fun projects that involve Anthony Hernandez’s skill behind the camera. Finally, we are entering the new year with a brand-new Production Training Packet, created by our own editors to help everyone get up to speed and refresh on Production quickly and efficiently. Check it out on A-Net for some high-quality education from our in-house experts. 

I am so proud of the work we have done this year, especially of the growth of our newer team members, who are rounding out their first year with us, and of the amazing leadership of our senior staff who continuously push and refine themselves and others. Happy New Year from the AV Production Department, may this coming new year be interlaced with joy, progress, and inspiration! 

BEYOND THE LENS | by Emmitt Ingram, Production Assistant 
With the start of a New Year, I find myself in a state of disbelief at how great 2022 has been not only creatively, but productively as well. The Production Department has maintained consistent quality and put in a lot of effort this year to raise the bar. Every member of our team has shown a dedication to their craft that cannot be matched. We have produced some of the highest quality spots in company history this year. Most importantly we did not rest on our laurels and have been pursuing fresh ideas and innovations that will help this team stay consistent in raising the bar even more in 2023. Looking forward to next year I find myself gleeful at the possibilities. With some of the smartest and most talented individuals I have ever met I am going into 2023 supporting some of the best artists in the industry. Regarding the future for our department the band Bachman-Turner Overdrive said it best “You ain’t seen nothing yet!"

ALL ABOUT THAT ART LIFE | by Duane Grant, Art Director
We are wrapping up the year strong in the art department. The team has done an amazing job this last quarter and not even a hurricane could stop us or bring down our team morale. Art has created some amazing Q2 spec and the team continues to impress me with their spec concepts and designs. 

Currently, we are working on an internal art hall of fame concept to display the best of the best on a-net. We’ve also gathered our training materials from this year to add to our art training library and are continuing to improve our training process for next year. 

A big thank you to our senior designers who have shown true leadership throughout the year and helped our new designers grow immensely. All the talented and creative individuals make this art team THE BEST department at AA… I said what I said. Happy new year to everyone!