We love our fAmélie and want you to get to know each of us a bit better. Introducing Jacqueline Mellow, Amelie’s fearless Creative Director.
Currently relocated to Colorado from NYC, Jacqueline’s been in the advertising and design world for 12+ years. She has been recognized by the most respected awards organizations and trades in the industry such as The One Show and Creativity. Putting action where her beliefs are, she is also the co-founder of She Is Booked, a literary themed fundraising organization that supports women’s charities. Further, she is an award-winning author and has yet another book being published on the horizon.
Q: What do you love about Amélie?
A: I love our mission, our people and our clients. After coming from NYC advertising and working with consumer brands after consumer brands—while it was definitely fun— spending every waking moment (and sleepless nights) thinking about how to sell a sugar-overloaded soda to children, can wear on anyone. I was hungry for clients that I not only believed in, but were doing good for our world. Amélie is the jackpot for this kind of work. Add on co-workers that are not only kindhearted, but are passionate about helping cause based initiatives, you’ve got a recipe for a pretty spectacular unicorn.
Q: What is your vision for the evolution of Amélie’s creative approach?
A: I’m a big advocate of social advertising and the benefits it brings to clients. Especially in today’s climate with most of us at home. Screen time is more active than ever. Pushing our creative to work on these platforms is paramount.
I also think government sector clients, and even some cause based/ non for profits, can get a bad rap as far as design goes within their initiatives. I want Amélie to help fight this stigma with continuing to push fresh, beautiful and thoughtful art direction and messaging into each of our briefs. There’s no reason why we can’t marry how we think and sell consumer products with how we tackle educational platforms or awareness campaigns. Branding is what catches eyes. What has people sit up and pay attention. Let’s help the world give a damn and look amazing.
Q: What do you give a damn about? What does built on Purpose mean to you?
A: I give a damn about being kind to others, the freedom of expression and cultivating a life filled with experience and connection. Built on purpose means creating with intention. Whether for our own happiness or that of others, it’s about thinking before we act.
Q: What do you think makes a great creative department?
A: Elasticity, good communication and internal inspiration. Elasticity, meaning my creatives not only have a variety of talents in their arsenal to be able to execute briefs differently, but we have the flexibility to solve our “problems” differently based on the best creative solution to give our clients results. Good communication, because need I say more? And internal inspiration
Q: We know you’re not just your resume, how do you spend your time when you’re not working?
A: When I’m not working, I’m working. The habit of someone who finds passion and inspiration in many places, I suppose. When I’m not running a creative department I’m the co-found of She Is Booked, a literary themed fundraising organization that supports women’s charities. I also am a fiction author of four novels. My fifth book comes out next summer 2021 from Montlake Publishing. But if you are wondering if I can “kick back and relax”, the answer is very much yes. My husband and I moved from NYC to Colorado specifically because of our love of nature. We go on roadtrips, camp and hike whenever we can.
Q: If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose? Why?
A: 100% flying. I could go anywhere anytime. Plus, who doesn’t love the view of earth from above?
Q: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
A: Maybe Tina Fey or Paul Rudd. Mainly because they both are amazing and hilarious I’d like to be able to laugh about my life.
Q: Where do you draw your creative inspiration from most often?
A: Traveling. I love experiencing new surroundings, food, people and languages. Inspiration hits me the hardest when I’m among new cultures, and even familiar ones. So much richness to mine.
