Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Gibson and Amanda White.
Jon and Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
iam8bit began 15 years ago as the first pop culture art show. Today, you see hundreds of galleries and thousands of shows around the world hosting themed events for everything from movies to TV shows. iam8bit set that movement in motion, asking 80+ artists to interpret their memories of 80’s videogames in paintings, sculptures and other mediums. Because iam8bit was the first company to remix IP in this artistic way, big brands like Nintendo, Capcom, PlayStation, Xbox, Bethesda – and even non-gaming brands like HBO, Disney and Warner Bros – started approaching us about bringing fun to campaigns that were otherwise driven by rigid style guides. iam8bit brings something to creative marketing that you can’t fake. We really love the things we collaborate on, so when you experience something we’ve produced – whether an event or a mailer or a product design – it’s a more pure kind of energy. You smile because you feel like it was something made just for you, and that’s because we refuse to put things out into the world that we’re not satisfied with…even if that means ruffling some feathers in the process. We believe firmly that you gotta do it right or not do it at all.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been peachy. No conflict. Ever. (Kidding, of course.) A dear friend once told us, “You know you’re successful when you have you have your first lawsuit.” He was correct. We won’t tell you who said that or what the legal matter was because it’s irrelevant to the moral of the story: We knew we had the confidence to persevere as a little creative company because even when we were challenged by a massive conglomerate treating us poorly, we stood up for what was right. And we won. It was scary, but this speaks to doing the correct thing, even if it’s hard. – another one of our mottos.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about iam8bit – what should we know?
Founded in 2005 and celebrating its 15 year anniversary, iam8bit is a creative production emporium that has quietly redefined the entertainment industry, time and time again. Collaborating with a plethora of partners and narrative-busting IPs, iam8bit punctuates the importance of engaging with fans directly. By creating the videogame industry’s very first community events, the company injected the idea of experiential immersion into game and film marketing (back when it was simply known as “theatre”). iam8bit also played a crucial role in the vinyl renaissance, minting its first record in 2010. The company is based in Los Angeles and co-owned by Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Los Angeles has everything – the ocean, the mountains, the dessert, downtown, suburbs. Nearly every type of climate and activity are within a short drive. The east side is especially attractive to us because Echo Park is so incredibly walkable. Everyone who works at iam8bit lives within a couple of mile radius, which proves pretty great for productivity and overall personal happiness. The only disadvantage is that not everyone else we work with lives and works on the East Side. LA is gigantic, so when we do have to drive crosstown for a meeting or appointment, it takes a really long damn time.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2147 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
- Website: www.iam8bit.com
- Phone: 213-908-6154
- Email: info@iam8bit.com
- Instagram: @iam8bit
- Facebook: iam8bitproductions
- Twitter: @iam8bit
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/iam8bit-los-angeles?osq=iam8bit
Image Credit:
Seth Cuddeback
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