Karen Jacobs
Executive Producer
I believe that anything can be achieved, always starting with yes. The joy of production is seeing a creative idea come alive. I have deep experience in management and production for advertising, broadcast, online, social media, series, and events; managing in-house as a production company; planning, budgeting, celebrity and licensing negotiating; process development and training. Let's make some things.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |
Creator and Co-host Texas Monthly podcast Shane and Sally
Spring 2024, over 1 million downloads
Listen to Wicked Words back story on the podcast
Resume
Creator and co-host Texas Monthly podcast "Shane and Sally"
March 2024, over 1 million downloads
On July 4, 1988, 16-year-old Shane Stewart and 18-year-old Sally McNelly went out for the night in the West Texas town of San Angelo. They watched the fireworks, stopped for burgers, and drove to the lake outside of town. They were never seen alive again. Reporters Karen Jacobs and Rob D’Amico pick up the cold case of two murders that have haunted their family, their friends, and generations of investigators.
TBD Post, Austin TX; based in New York, NY
Managing Director/ EP 2020 - current
Strategically update operational systems and growth plan for post production house in Austin TX; manage workflow of work and client relations, all contracts, legal and HR issues; manage staffing and profitability and oversee all producers and process; create marketing plan and implementation nationally; work with owners on long term growth; manage team communications and training. Created community outreach program. Projects include features and series for Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon, PBS, Discovery; commercials for national brands and agencies.
Greatest Common Factory, Production/Agency, Austin TX
Co-founder, Managing Partner / Business 2011-2019
As a hybrid production company/agency, managed implementation of a a new way of approaching integrated production with clients. Managed client relationships and all business functions such as contracts, budgeting and negotiations and legal, managed all business affairs issues; partnered with creative, strategy and media for broadcast, digital, print, social, asset capture, post production, and events. Ongoing work for Nike, Jordan, Safe Auto Insurance, Tecovas Boots, West Elm, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Golfsmith
GSD&M Advertising, Austin TX
SVP/ Director of Integrated Production 2006-2011
Trained and transformed department of 47 to be fully integrated, created new processes to create more content with less budgets; developed training program for cross-channels integration. Worked closely with senior leadership team, Business Affairs and holding company on contracts and profitability. Managed all producers, Business Affairs and freelance teams. Clients include Southwest Airlines, BMW, LL Bean, AT&T, US Air Force, Wal-Mart.
Action Figure, Austin TX
Partner, Executive Producer 2002-2005
Oversaw all production and client relationships for Branding agency and entertainment. Handled all business roles such as systems, contracts, negotiations and legal. EP’d A&E series “Rollergirls” and PBS “Downtown”.
Tequila Mockingbird, Austin TX
Executive Producer 1999-2002
Managed music composition, licensing and recording studio for all media, working musicians of all level of fame, live events and live recordings. Oversaw scheduling, contracts, bidding and billing.
GSD&M Advertising, Austin TX
Producer 1993-1999
Wal-Mart, Southwest Airlines, Chili's Bar & Grill, Texas Lottery
DMB&B Advertising, London, England
Producer 1992-1993
European and Global market production for Mars Brand, L’egoiste Perfume, Royal Mail, overseas production in Prague, Spain and England.
J Walter Thompson Advertising, San Francisco, CA
Assistant Producer 1989-92
Beyond ads
As Independent Producer New York, NY and Austin, TX
Creator and co-host of Texas Monthly podcast "Shane and Sally" 2024
Stage Manager Planned Parenthood Texas Anniversary Event 2024
Executive Producer on Feature Film American Detective
PBS/KLRU/ GSD&M Idea City, pilot
Music Supervisor Feature Film What I Like About You
Austin City Limits 25th Anniversary video
Co-Creator of Uncorked, a show to demystify wine
PBS’s Downtown, winner Lonestar Emmy 4 seasons
A&E’s Rollergirls 13 x 1 hr series; w/ EP Go Go Luckey
Pilot A&E’s Murderball
Flaming Lips Sponge Bob the Movie music video
Executive Producer Austin Ad Fed Awards live event with Nick Offerman
Show runner Women’s March Austin Tx 2020
EDUCATION
California College of Arts, Oakland, Ca.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Film/Video Production, Magna Cum Laude
Alpha Lambda Delta honors society, Dean’s List
COMMUNITY
Austin Ad Federation Board Member 2014
Ad Age Small Agency of the Year 2017 (Greatest Common Factory)
Austin Ad Federation Silver Medal award winner “Big Wigs” 2017
Ad Age Women to watch: 6 ad women who have come a long way 2019
E4Youth board member 2019 to 2021, Board Advisory 2021 to present
Member Austin and NY WIFT 2022 to present
AICP member, AICP Mentor program 2023
Member and volunteer Planned Parenthood of Texas
Services
Planning
Scope of work, scheduling, budgeting
As a partner with creatives, clients, account directors, media planners, and strategist, I create and manage scope of works, budgets and cross channel execution plans. Working closely with business affairs, national reps and tracking trends, we get the best possible solution for strategic content creation.
Production
Finding the right partners, budgeting and content creation and capture. Mentoring and training production team.
Whether you have a big campaign working with a production company, a small social campaign made direct to client, a live event or acting as a production company EP and line producer, I am connected to the best production teams, talent, crew and resources in the US and internationally as needed. Regardless of the size or budget, we'll create content that works in the right channel. Training and guidance of the production team is critical for a healthy growth and continued success.
Post-Production
Post, VFX, animation, wrap, asset management, delivering for all channels
Dedication to details and the best quality finish, actualizing the budget, delivery of all needed sizes for multiple channels, QC and asset management are all part of a running a tight ship with processes in place and communications with all parties. Being up to date on most current technology and opportunities are key to growth and success.
Clients
Jordan
Nike
Tecovas
Safe Auto Insurance
iFLY indoor skydiving
Southwest Airlines
Wal-Mart
