Today we’d like to introduce you to Gillian Jean.
Gillian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has always served as the compass pointing me in the right direction. My passion for music led me to Central Park SummerStage after graduating from Boston University, followed by working as the Communications Director at the jazz label Motéma Music. Around the same time, I launched the Sound Dessert music blog where I shared my favorite new discoveries and started hosting music showcases.
Realizing I wanted to explore multiple avenues in the arts and entertainment industry led me to where I am now as the founder of Gillian Jean Creative. I work with all different kinds of talented and inspiring clients, providing them with digital marketing, social media, brand partnership and event services. It’s been so rewarding to move across these different spaces and spotlight meaningful art forms and stories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been filled with so many incredible moments I wouldn’t trade for anything. From bringing people together through events, and building community with clients and fellow entrepreneurs to executing exciting digital marketing campaigns that align my clients with impactful causes, brands or partnerships.
That said, it’s also been filled with its share of challenges. There can be ebbs and flows, but I’ve learned how to navigate and adapt when the unexpected happens, be it with a client or in the real world – like when the COVID pandemic hit us all. When life comes at you, I find accepting instead of resisting leads to the best outcomes personally, mentally, and professionally. Taking a pause and recalibrating. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary. Thankfully, I have amazing family and friends that I can turn to when I find myself in need of advice and clarity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Gillian Jean Creative offers boutique marketing services including digital marketing, social media management, brand partnerships, events and consulting.
The logo is inspired by the rainbow and the color ultraviolet. Invisible to the human eye, it evokes the magic that can be found when you look beyond the surface. This is how I approach work and life: looking closer to tap into the deeper meaning, the big picture.
I’ve had the honor of working with a range of music and film industry clients and beyond including: Academy Award-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Terry Sanders, Provençal Collective, Icenhauer’s, Culture Collide, Vision Films, Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp, and musicians like Cowboy Diplomacy, WYO, Culture Wars and many more.
One area I specialize in is organic outreach and securing aligned partnerships with brands and social media users. One example is the digital marketing campaign designed for the film “Liza, Liza Skies Are Grey.” The film features Mikey Madison and Sean Scully as a young couple sharing a motorcycle adventure together along the PCH. To promote the film’s release, I organized a social media giveaway with Triumph Motorcycles for a chance to win a pair of motorcycle jackets in celebration of those who forge their own path. Sean and Triumph did a photoshoot with one of Triumph’s bikes to announce the giveaway across both of their Instagram accounts. The campaign received excellent engagement and garnered strong awareness for the film’s release.
Ideating and executing these digital campaigns is always exciting, especially once we see all the pieces come together and fall into place.
Additionally, I relish producing events, typically with a live music component. This has included launch events, music showcases, album release shows and beyond. I’ll help secure the venue, drink sponsors, talent and more. In March 2022 I produced five days of showcases, about 100 musicians in total, for Austin bar Icenhauer’s to mark the return of SXSW Music Week. Watching people connect with music and discover a new favorite artist is a feeling that never loses its magic for me. With everyone being so immersed in technology these days, I think taking time to gather in person, make meaningful connections, and enjoy the moment, continues to be vital.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always interested in meeting aligned and passionate people and exploring fun and fresh ways to collaborate and build something special together. If you’re reading this and your gut is telling you we should connect, I invite you to reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gillianjean.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/gillianjean_
Image Credits
Portraits: Lauren Slusher Photography Triumph Motorcycles: John Ryan Hebert Gem + Bolt: Reese Vonderschmidt
