Conversations with Hitomi Demers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hitomi Demers.

Hi Hitomi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a kid, I was always obsessed with pop culture. As a millennial, I came up in the TRL and tabloid era, so being plugged in was easier than ever. Once it was time to enter the workforce, I got my first job as a CBS page, which threw me right into the heart of the entertainment industry. I was lucky enough to have grown up in Southern California, so I was able to stay close to home while I worked my way up.

It wasn’t glamorous, but I was excited nonetheless. I moved onto a few gigs at the E! network, which was the first time I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. It was an amazing experience and I learned so much about how traditional television was made. After that, I transitioned into digital media, which allowed me to be much more hands-on for every step of the process. The turnaround and output where also way more fast-paced than the more traditional model, which meant that there was so much more room for experimentation and ownership over more of the creative process.

I’ve been doing that ever since, working in women’s lifestyle, documentary, comedy, drag, and fitness spaces. I love that I get to learn something new every time I move into a different arena, and I look forward to being a lifelong learner as the industry changes.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. I graduated college during one of the worst economic recessions we’ve seen, and I had to keep a positive outlook throughout the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. There have been so many changes to the landscape over the last 15 years of my career, and I’ve had to remain adaptable. Many of the companies that I’ve worked for have had major layoffs, sometimes closing shop entirely. Sometimes the platforms that they’ve invested in change their structure and algorithms, forcing my team to have to shift their strategy significantly. There’s so much that is out of our control, from the large-scale, to my role personally.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have primarily worked in the pop culture and lifestyle spaces. I work as a producer, which can mean almost anything, to be honest. For me that has looked like developing show concepts, casting talent, handling pre-production, research, directing talent and crew on set, managing editors, all the way through distribution across different social media platforms. Almost every job I’ve worked on involves working with sponsored and branded content, which often involves working with brands to execute their vision. I like to think that I’m known for my positive attitude and relaxed energy on set. Working in digital usually means smaller budgets and tight turnarounds, so there are always make-it-work moments, and I pride myself on always finding a solution that makes everyone happy.

I’m most proud of staying true to my own principles, striving to making work that I can stand behind. Sometimes the content might not be something that is 100% in my wheelhouse, but I can always find something to get excited about. Often times, that means finding community with my colleagues and knowing that no matter what, we’re on the same team. I remind myself and my crew that we are lucky to be making something that will being joy to others. Even when the hours are long and the work gets stressful, at the end of the day, it’s not that serious.

I think what sets me apart from others is my enthusiasm to make the best end result possible, no matter the size and scale of the work. The thing that excites me the most if building a community of creatives wherever I go, so that I can surround myself with the best people possible.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love to listen to podcasts made by fellow creatives doing work that excites them. I love the Glamorous Trash podcast, they somehow manage to feature primarily female creatives talking about pop culture in a way that’s thoughtful and funny. I also love that the guests are often friends and colleagues of the host and spotlight how they met and what kinds of work they have done or are doing, and how they helped each other get there.

I follow many female content creators on Instagram (@abeautifulmess, @hotpinkpineapples, @keikolynn, @samswhurld, @awwsam) whose pages include DIY, fashion, makeup, cooking, and general lifestyle. I get so much out of their work and am constantly inspired to push myself out of my own comfort zone. I also really admire that so many of them have moved out of more traditional media spaces and have carved out a space for themselves that they can have ownership over. I know from experience that content creation is a lot of work, so I respect what they have each created.

I also love the Asian American Girl Club podcast “Undefinable”, as well as the “Tiger Sisters” podcast. They have really interesting guests and have such unique perspectives on success, entrepreneurship, and ambition. I appreciate how they tackle these topics from a cultural perspective. In recent years, I have really been activated to connect to my culture as an Asian American, and these two podcasts frame that so well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hitomidemers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellohitomi/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hitomi-demers-16472599/