Just Add Video

Overview

Just Add Video was a creative production agency I co-founded and led as Creative Director, focused on delivering fast, approachable, and high-quality video and animated content for a wide range of clients. The agency combined live-action production and animation to help organizations tell clear stories without the overhead or complexity of larger production shops.

Over the course of several years, I led creative direction, client relationships, and production execution across projects spanning commercials, branded content, animation, photography, and live events. This work ultimately led to Just Add Video being acquired by NextAfter, where I transitioned into an in-house creative leadership role.

My Role

As Co-Founder and Creative Director, I was responsible for both creative leadership and hands-on production, serving as the primary creative partner for clients.

Primary responsibilities included:

• Creative direction and concept development

• Directing live-action shoots and animated content

• Leading client relationships and guiding creative decisions

• Managing production budgets and scopes

• Hiring and directing small crews and freelance talent

• Overseeing post-production including editing, animation, and visual effects

While the agency was lean by design, I maintained ownership of creative quality and ensured each project balanced storytelling, efficiency, and client needs.

Type of Work

Just Add Video delivered a wide range of creative and production work, including:

• Commercials and branded video content

• Social and digital advertising

• Animated and motion graphics-driven campaigns

• Video series and educational content

• Photography and supporting visual assets

• Live event and experiential video

Projects often combined animation and live-action production, allowing us to create flexible, cost-effective solutions tailored to each client’s goals.

Scale & Production Approach

• Typical crew size ranged from 2–6 people, depending on scope

• Budgets were generally small to mid-sized, requiring thoughtful planning and efficiency

• Clients were primarily local and regional, spanning a wide range of industries

• Shoots included one-day and occasional multi-day productions

This environment required strong judgment around scope, creative tradeoffs, and production planning, while still delivering polished, professional results.

What Made the Agency Different

What set Just Add Video apart was its ability to be fast, affordable, and highly collaborative without sacrificing creative quality.

Clients often came to the agency needing guidance as much as execution. I worked closely with them to translate ideas into clear creative direction, helping them feel confident throughout the process. The blend of animation and live-action production allowed us to solve problems creatively while staying within budget and timeline constraints.

Notable Clients & Experience Gained

Through Just Add Video, I worked with organizations such as NBC and Constant Contact, as well as clients across medical, nonprofit, construction, education, shipping, logistics, and other industries.

This breadth of work provided deep experience adapting creative approaches to different audiences, constraints, and business needs, and laid the foundation for my transition into in-house creative leadership following the acquisition by NextAfter.