Profile: The Soloist
“It’s not easy to work with the marketing campaign of a Hollywood feature film, with A-list talent (Robert Downey JR and Jamie Fox), and custom mold a faith-based campaign around it. Jesse did just that.” - Karen Frankel // Director of Marketing, Participant Media
Participant Media
Participant believes that a good story well told can truly make a difference in how one sees the world. Whether it is a feature film, documentary or other form of media, Participant exists to tell compelling, entertaining stories that also create awareness of the real issues that shape our lives.
The company seeks to entertain audiences first, then to invite them to participate in making a difference. To facilitate this, Participant creates specific social action campaigns for each film and documentary designed to give a voice to issues that resonate in the films. Participant teams with social sector organizations, non-profits and corporations who are committed to creating an open forum for discussion, education and who can, with Participant, offer specific ways for audience members to get involved. These include action kits, screening programs, educational curriculums and classes, house parties, seminars, panels and other activities and are ongoing “legacy” programs that are updated and revised to continue beyond the film’s domestic and international theatrical, DVD and television windows. To date, Participant has developed active, working relationships with 156 non-profits who collectively have the potential of reaching over 75 million people.
The Soloist & Jesse
I worked with Jesse to execute a screening program for the release of The Soloist, with Willow Creek Church.
Jesse’s well-versed aptitude in media, helped to create a program, which helped to satisfy Willow Creek’s mandate and also helped to broaden the film’s marketing outreach.
Jesse created a program which worked within Willow’s VOX series and encouraged students to make short videos, which reflected their understanding of issues of homelessness. The winning films were selected and now live on Takepart.com as part of the film’s social action legacy components. Jesse also planned a taste maker’s screening for Willow Creek for 500 congregants prior to the theatrical release. Jesse was instrumental in outreaching to Willow Creek’s community about the program, and played the film’s trailer in 2 consecutive Sunday sermons, prior to the release of the film. This not only helped to encourage students to participate in the program, attend the screening he planned for Willow’s community, but also helped to market the awareness of the film on a larger scale.
It’s not easy to work with the marketing campaign of a Hollywood feature film, with A-list talent (Robert Downey JR and Jamie Fox), and custom mold a faith-based campaign around it. Jesse did just that. Due to his creative, intuitive nature, we completed a successful screening program together. I hope to continue to work with Jesse on future projects.