Inside the Search for Creative Talent - E74

The decision to hire someone based on who they are, rather than their past accomplishments, is a powerful approach that can redefine talent acquisition strategies. In this episode, Rei talks with Ali Brown, President and Executive Producer at Pretty Bird, to uncover the secrets behind spotting and nurturing new talent in the creative industry, and key strategies that have kept Pretty Bird at the forefront of film and video production. Follow along as she shares anecdotes and strategies that have been pivotal in sustaining Pretty Bird's influence and leadership in the competitive realm of film production.

Ali Brown brings expansive knowledge of industry production and distinct storytelling to her roles as President and Partner of award-winning production company PRETTYBIRD and Academy Award-nominated creative studio Ventureland. Under Brown’s leadership, PRETTYBIRD’s work and roster continue to be recognized on the global stage with top honors from Cannes Lions, One Show, Clio Awards, D&AD, and the AICP Awards, as well as being named Ad Age’s Production Company of the Year twice. Between 2024 and 2025, the company and its projects earned 182 distinctions across award wins, shortlists, and longlists, including an Emmy nomination for the award darling “Michael CeraVe” spot. In 2025, PRETTYBIRD was named Production Company of the Year at the Clio Awards and ranked No. 2 on Ad Age’s Production Company A-List, cementing its status as a powerhouse in the commercial arena. 

Brown co-founded Ventureland in 2020 alongside Oscar-winning producer John Battsek and PRETTYBIRD partners Kerstin Emhoff and Paul Hunter. Her creative vision continues to drive compelling scripted and unscripted storytelling, executive producing Netflix’s Emmy-winning Beckham, Academy Award-nominated Bobi Wine: The People’s President, Apple TV+’s Government Cheese starring David Oyelowo, and Hulu’s Daytime Emmy-winning docuseries Searching for Soul Food. She also executive-produced Netflix’s American Manhunt anthology, with its 2025 installments on O.J. Simpson and Osama bin Laden becoming global streaming hits. Further demonstrating her commitment to bold, original storytelling, Brown executive produced three films that premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival—Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation, Just Sing, and Birthright—and oversaw the film component for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2025 Good News Mass—a multi-sensory, multimedia collaboration between composer Carlos Simon and acclaimed director Melina Matsoukas. 

Internationally recognized for her leadership and insight, Brown has served as an ANDY’s Global Juror, Creativepool’s Creative of the Year, President of the New York Film Festival Film Craft Jury, a repeat speaker at Ciclope, and President of the Direction Jury at D&AD. She previously made history as the first female president of Cannes’ Young Directors Award Jury. Deeply committed to inclusion, Brown founded “Double the Line,” an initiative supported by AICP’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, aimed at increasing opportunities for BIPOC talent in production and post-production. Brown, alongside Kerstin Emhoff, was also a finalist for Creativity’s Diversity & Inclusion Champions of the Year in 2021.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Discovering the Secret to Developing Creative Talent
• 2:58 The Art of Service and Creativity in Production
• 9:12 Discovering and Nurturing Undiscovered Talent in the Creative Industry
• 15:38 The Impact of Artistic Upbringing on Career Choices
• 17:34 Ali Brown's Pivotal Career Moments and Creative Partnerships
• 21:58 Key Takeaways

Episode References:

• Ali Brown | LinkedIn
• PRETTYBIRD | Website
• 2025 Highlights | Government Cheese
• 2025 Highlights | Levi's 'The Denim Cowboy' campaign starring Beyoncé
• 2025 Highlights | NikeSKIMS 'Bodies at Work'
• 2025 Highlights | American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson
• 2025 Highlights | American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.