23 June, 2012

An Emmy For Take This Lollipop

Getting a text that says "Holy Sh**!" from Jason Zada never felt so surreal. Tonight June 23, Jason took home an Emmy.  The competition was stiff, and quite frankly not like any we'd experienced in any Advertising based awards show. Ellen. We competed against Ellen.

Jason Zada is one of those people who I've always believed in. We connect in a way when we're working that confirms my love of the craft.  Jason moves at a fast,furious but methodical pace. He is thoughtful, considerate and a consummate professional.  He understands the roles of everyone on his teams. This is why the work is so good. He considers the actual production impllications of a creative idea. Innovation is born out of that kind of understanding.  It's the communication, the commitment and the drive. I know I don't have to tell all of you how difficult it can be to get something made. Even when it has money. Well, this was not that kind of project. This was a project where Jason had a script, an idea and no client, and no budget.

I've watched Jason pull rabbits out of hats before, in fact he does so with the ease of a magician. However, this was a masterpiece. Fast. Furious. Methodical. When Jason is working on a project, he knows what he wants, he sees it before it's done. You just have to trust him. Clients do, and we do, and in this case it was no different. Because he was the client. I've worked with Jason for a long time now, and he never settles. He doesn't care what he has to do personally to help with a project to make it great, he rolls up his sleeves. This is why I count him not only as a key collaborator, but a great friend. Jason pushes. Himself, his team. Me. So when I got his text tonight, was I surprised? No. I was elated. I cried. I am not a crier. There are two times I can recall in my life really crying with elation in business. The first time when I got a call that we'd won a Gold Lion for MINI Dominatrix, and the second tonight. I feel lucky to get this kind of joy from my work, and from the people I am lucky enough to work with. 

Take This Lollipop might have been the first time the general public heard his name, but you've seen Jason's work before, Elf Yourself was also him. A small, core team can do amazing things. Especially when you're under the watchful and detailed eye of a creative thinker/maker like Jason.  Jason is someone who believes in the creative product, and results. He pushes the team to fight for the best possible thing you can get, where you do it because you love it, and because you genuinely want to make things, and you want everyone to contribute to make something special. That's why we do this.  Jason is that kind of person. I am brimming with pride. Not only about this Emmy, but about the way the entire Lunch network banded around Jason tonight. A true collective. Likeminded creative people who understand what it means to be rewarded for pushing the envelope. It's not "no". It's "how". Small, independent, expert collaborations can do incredible things. 13 Million Likes and Counting.  Welcome to the New School.

- Amy Miranda

Tags:
awards, jason zada, lunch, maxwell gosling, scott hiers, takethislollipop