VCU Commons Theater
907 Floyd Avenue
Tom Mooney
President, ADDigital Productions
Topic: Creating Stories With Production in Mind (Avoiding Money Bombs)
In my 36 years in the advertising business, I've seen many changes, including agency mergers and power shifts within agencies from creatives to producers to account executives to cost control consultants. And I've also seen trends come and go, including small production, an explosion in the number of directors, fascination with superstar directors from Hollywood and MTV, celebrity-driven commercials, mindless vignettes, emotional stories, and on and on and on. But.....the importance of quality production and good stories remains. And it's not always about the money. In addition, I will tell my entire life story (to the chagrin of my family and business partner).
Bio:
Tom Mooney has been in Advertising for over thirty five years and is currently president of ADDigital. He has won virtually every industry award, including Cannes Lions, Clios, Andys, Addys, AICP Production Excellence, an Emmy and a Peabody. Tom has guided the careers of many distinguished directors, including four Directors Guild of America (DGA) nominees (and one winner) for Best TV Commercial Director.
Since its inception in 2009, ADDigital has produced projects for Ace Hardware, ESPN, Nickelodeon, Porsche, the Sundance Channel, Sotheby’s, and the USGA among many other distinguished clients. The company has also produced award-winning short films and web series, including a film on veterans for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Before forming ADDigital, Tom was a founder and owner of one of the top commercial production companies in the world, Headquarter Films, over which he presided for 16 years. Prior to that he was the director of marketing for global production companies Spots Films, Bianchi Films, and LoFaro & Associates.
A native New Yorker, Tom spent almost twenty years in the music business before entering the advertising arena. He was a drummer and lead singer in several NYC-based bands, including the NYC August Rock Band and the Yorkville Saints, and he also did a stint on the road with the Ohio Express.
Tom holds a BFA in theater from Hunter College, where he studied with Lloyd Richards and Harold Clurman. He wrote and appeared in “Tent Six” at St. Clemens Theater, and continues to write in his spare time. Tom is a Vietnam Veteran, the father of two great children, and an amazing granddaughter. He resides in Manhattan with his wife.