Celebrating 17 Years of Milestones
This month, we proudly celebrate 17 years of Hollywood Branded, a significant milestone in an industry where many businesses don't survive beyond the first few years. I still vividly remember when the agency's name came to me, long before the thought of starting my own business even crossed my mind. After a decade of mastering product placement and building global relationships, I hit the proverbial glass ceiling and knew it was time to create something more.
That’s how Hollywood Branded was born, driven by the desire to learn, do, and teach, and despite the challenges, we've built an agency capable of creating anything our team and brand partners can imagine in the world of pop culture branded partnerships. In this article, Hollywood Branded reflects on our 17-year journey, highlighting the agency's growth, challenges, and notable accomplishments along the way.
Hollywood Branded Named to the Inc 5000 List
The second celebration this month is a big one - we have even more to celebrate than an anniversary. I'm incredibly proud to announce that Hollywood Branded has earned the rank of No. 1546 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America!
Now you may say, huh ok, a list of 5,000. But wait, let's put this into perspective. Out of the more than 32 million small businesses that the SBA says are in the U.S., only a tiny fraction grow fast enough to earn a spot on this prestigious list. A super small portion of a percentage. This is a celebration as it's not just about surviving - it's about thriving in a landscape where most businesses falter. Achieving this ranking is a testament to our relentless drive, innovative spirit, and the incredible support of our team, clients, and partners. It is proof that, as an entrepreneur, I've gotten a few things right.
Photo Credit: Inc.com
Where We've Had Learning Lessons
It's easy to let everything blur together over the years and to focus on the failures versus the successes. Still, when I take a step back and look at what storms we have weathered, the mountains we have climbed to succeed, and the massive amount of partnerships we have built, I'm very proud of what my initial vision has accomplished and brought to life in the form of a very unique creative agency.
In the past 17 years, Hollywood Branded has accomplished a lot, including:
- Specializing in creative activations, building brand integration, product placement, celebrity endorsements, influencer marketing, event activations, and celebrity seeding.
- Produced commercials, documentaries, and digital series.
- Built 10,000+ brand partnerships.
- Worked with 250+ brands.
- Reached 100+ billion people.
- Created $100+ million in partnerships from scratch.
- Partnered with 5,000+ productions.
- Delivered over $1+ trillion in media value.
- Designed 600+ licensing, PR, and promotional partnerships.
- Mastered 500+ gaming and digital content partnerships.
- Built robust multi-year partnerships with linear, digital, PR, and retail extensions.
- Crafted music partnerships seen globally.
- Worked with 2,000+ celebrities and influencers.
- Hosted celebrity events and won numerous awards.
- Published 1,800 industry insight articles.
- Hosted 400 podcast episodes on "Marketing Mistakes (+ How To Avoid Them)."
- Brand sales have soared. This July, one of our product placement partnerships caused the brand's stock to jump from 560,000 daily trades to over 17.7 million. If that's not proof that this branded pop culture marketing works, then I don't know what to tell you.
Embrace The Challenges, They Forge Your Strength
Reflecting on these 17 years, the most important lesson I've learned is that every challenge, setback, and obstacle is an opportunity in disguise. Owning an independent agency in Hollywood, especially as a woman, is not for the faint-hearted. It's tough, and sometimes more than you think you can even handle, it can feel like the world is against you. But it's in these moments of adversity that we discover our true strength.
As an adventurer at heart and avid scuba diver, I've faced sharks in the ocean and as an agency owner I've faced them on dry land. (If you don't get my reference, go watch "Swimming With Sharks" to get an understanding of how Hollywood can work.
Only one truly is the apex predator that have the teeth to tear you apart - the rest are just bullies who have failed to understand the goal of building businesses based on mutual benefit. I've learned to stand tall, fight when needed, and fiercely protect what I've built for our clients, team, and agency. The journey hasn't been easy, but it has been worth every battle scar. Each challenge has made me tougher, more resilient, and more capable of leading this agency to greater heights.
The real takeaway here is this: Don't fear the storms - they're what shape you. The failures, the struggles, the near-misses - and all of the f*ups you manage to do on your own as you stumble along trying to figure it all out - are the crucibles that forge your success. They've taught me that resilience isn't just about bouncing back; it's about using those setbacks as a springboard to leap even higher. If there's one piece of advice I can offer from my journey, it's this: Embrace the challenges, learn from them, and let them fuel your growth. It's in overcoming them that we genuinely thrive and open doors to opportunities you would otherwise never be prepared to be able to handle without those learned lessons and battle scars.
A Client Success Story
One of my absolute favorite partnerships from the last year has been the incredible collaboration we built for Mean Girls with Pilot Pen. The foundation of this partnership was laid through product placement in the movie itself, which we then leveraged to create a commercial spot. To add to the excitement, we launched a pink line of pens that flew off the shelves, selling out on Amazon on day one! The success didn’t stop there - our team masterminded an adorable unboxing campaign, supported by dozens of influencers, that took the marketing to the next level.
Photo Credit: Pilot Pen / Amazon
A Heartfelt Thank You
As we celebrate this milestone, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my team, who works so hard every day to keep our clients and partners happy and who build phenomenal campaigns that are literally made up from scratch - each and every time.
To our clients and partners, your trust and collaboration have been the driving force behind our success. Your bold ideas, shared visions, and commitment to innovation have allowed Hollywood Branded to thrive. Our team and I are honored to work alongside you and look forward to many more years of fruitful partnerships.
And, of course, I want to extend a special thank you to my wonderful, fantastic husband, Ian Drummond, who has been by my side through thick and thin for the last eleven years, helping tremendously in ways that make all the difference both behind the scenes and as the COO of Hollywood Branded for the previous five. Ian, your support and love mean everything in the world to me.
A New Chapter for Hollywood Branded: LA 2028
Finally, our entire country should be celebrating the completion of the Paris Olympics! With the most medals of any country, Team USA really did kick @$$. The professionalism, passion, and power of these mighty athletes are a testament to perseverance and the impact of manifestation.
As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris came to a spectacular close, with Tom Cruise stealing the show in a jaw-dropping stunt, the world’s eyes are now turning towards Los Angeles, the next host city in 2028 where the power of Hollywood is sure to be front and center. The handover to LA Mayor Karen Bass marked the beginning of an exciting journey for our city, and my team and I are ready to seize this moment to build Olympic-sized partnerships in our hometown! No travel or hotel rooms needed - we've got this. :)
Paris 2024 was recently dubbed the most product placement-filled Olympics in history - a trend I explored in last week’s newsletter. It’s clear that athletes need brand support to sustain their careers, and there’s no better way to engage with fans emotionally than through home country pride. Sponsorships and brand partnerships don’t just elevate the games - they play a crucial role in easing the financial burden on host cities, helping cover the massive overhead of pulling off such a monumental event. Brands that step up can create lasting, mutually beneficial relationships that resonate long after the final medal is awarded.
As LA gears up to host the world for World Cup 2026 and Summer Olympics 2028, we will be helping brands craft innovative sports and entertainment partnerships that blend pop culture, celebrity influence, and creative sponsorships. We’re excited to build groundbreaking activations to help make unforgettable experiences for brands and fans. The world will be watching, and we’re here to ensure our clients shine the brightest.
Photo Credit: Spa Business
Here's To The Future
As Hollywood Branded looks back on the growth, challenges, and successes, the journey has been anything but easy, yet immensely rewarding. From overcoming industry hurdles to forging powerful partnerships, the agency has emerged stronger, more innovative, and ready to tackle the future. With eyes set on LA 2028 and beyond, Hollywood Branded is excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences and groundbreaking activations that resonate with audiences worldwide. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey—here’s to many more years of success and innovation! Cheers!
Eager To Learn More?
As we celebrate 17 years at Hollywood Branded, these related articles offer further insights into the importance of adaptability, strategic partnerships, and longevity in the ever-evolving landscape of brand marketing and entertainment. Explore how these themes have shaped our journey and continue to drive our commitment to excellence.
- Developing Resilience For Both You And The Brand
- BlackBerry and Hollywood: A Tale of Brand Identity and Resilience
- Pop Culture Powerhouses: Iconic Brands Gear Up for Anniversaries
- The Art of Licensing and Brand Partnerships: From Bridgerton to Queen Charlotte
- Breaking the Mold: The Rise of Women-Owned Celebrity Brands
Want to stay in the know with all things pop culture? Look no further than our Hot in Hollywood newsletter! Each week, we compile a list of the most talked-about moments in the entertainment industry, all for you to enjoy!
