We recently had the chance to connect with international award-winning Creative Director, Producer, Director, Author, Inventor and Frisco resident, Dennis Gelbaum. We shared our conversation below.
Dennis, I really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our journeys and how they have helped shape our worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one:
What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I recently had the opportunity to design (with Valerie, my wife…) our “empty” room. It’s the least used and smallest room in the house, which presented a fun challenge. but it also gets the most sunlight throughout the day. It’s bright, warm, and full of possibilities. I took the lead on the research, looking for unique and creative ideas for us to incorporate into our room. Definitely not my favorite part of the process. 1. Paint – We debated painting the entire room versus just one wall. We chose one wall. Since my favorite color is purple, we started there. I pulled nearly twenty shades, and without any coaching, Valerie picked my favorite: Mystical Grape by Benjamin Moore.
2. Painting – I was excited to paint, but after buying the supplies – paint, brushes, tape, pans, rags, drop cloths – Valerie took over. I contributed a small section during the second coat. She did everything else, and she did a fantastic job. I take credit for the color; she takes credit for the painting.
3. Furniture and furnishings. I wanted something comfortable, soft and plush. Valerie wanted a leather, fully electric, love seat recliner. So, we headed to La-Z-Boy. After sitting on twenty of more options…success. Next: two end tables. We found exactly what we were looking for at NFM. Then came the lamp. We found a “one of a kind” colorful, unique piece at Lamps Plus. Just enough light, Not overpowering. Not too big. Not too small.
4. The rug . Valerie had her heart set on a colorful Nourison Prismatic rug. She found the one she loved, and I agreed completely. It fits the room perfectly. Jaxson (our six-year-old Havanese) thinks it’s a big napkin to wipe his face after eating his dinner.
5. The TV-I did considerable research and ended up selecting a 50” ROKU. I’m a big ROKU fan, but the TV doesn’t deliver the picture and sound quality my other TV’s do. I’m disappointed. No plans to replace it, yet. But I considering.
6. The artwork – we went back and forth on this one. Should it be one of my photographs, a black and white rendering, an original piece, something abstract? I found the perfect piece with the right accent colors. It’s amazing how the picture and frame looks like it was made for our room. Sometimes the pieces just fit.
7. What to do with the one wall left? I found a great solution – a wall mounted wine rack from Litfad. Only problem, 8-10 weeks for delivery. I didn’t know if I could wait that long. But I did. The quality of the piece was a bit disappointing, but the price/piece was the right size and after four hours of putting it all together and hanging it on the wall, it looked great.
We (including Jaxson) love our new Media Room. I know I’m going to start another project soon…
Can you share what makes you or your brand unique?
My two favorite quotes are:
When I get the choice to sit it out or dance – I dance. (Lee Ann Womack) and
Those who tell stories, rule the world (Plato)
I like to think of myself as a marketing and brand mixologist. My experience has taught me that to engage and influence a brand’s target audience, the path to success requires blending equal parts art, science, creativity, and strategic thinking. I take my award winning creative and production skills, marry them with unique multi-media distribution strategies to help companies create impact.
With a focus on brand performance and inbound/outbound digital marketing strategies, I know how to digitally promote a business. I motivate, inspire, and change how people talk, act, think and feel about brands. I create and implement extraordinary ideas (marketing campaigns and interactive and immersive live experiences) to connect brands to consumers and consumers to brands through their shared passions and interests.
I have directed over two hundred national commercials (launching many new products) winning awards including the Cannes Lion, Clios, Art Director’s Club/NY, Advertising Club of Detroit, Mobius, Effies. I have worked with Fortune 100 clients and the biggest music artists and venues on the planet.
My favorite projects include co-writing/producing a visually stunning commercial for Alize Bleu, creating/selling/producing/
Other career highlights include inventing the Buddy Lite Illuminated Safety Leash (the top selling pet product at Sharper Image), publishing a novel, “Beyond Reasonable Doubt” and “Something About Going Home” and collection of original thoughts and poetry with illustrations by Christina Qualiana. I was featured in ’50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading”, by Danielle Hampson & Don McCauley.
My most recent projects include completing “Going Home”, a collection of poems and thoughts and photographs provided by artists from Pixabay and FreePix, writing and producing “A Different Kind Of Wonderful, a pop ballad/love song and “The Mona Lisa Conspiracy“, a feature film screenplay.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and smartest people in the advertising, film and music industries. These relationships provided me with the education, experience and confidence to eventually create very successful multimedia production and event companies, servicing clients all over the world. But it was never easy.
Let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Our “bonds” are so complex and so fragile. It’s hard to imagine any bond being stronger than “trust”. The healing power of a friendship or any kind of relationship built on trust is so powerful. Betrayal, dishonesty, infidelity, and unreliability can shatter trust. Restoring trust requires patience, effort and the willingness to get beyond the pain.
I’ve had two business partners, who kidnapped my trust and willingness to believe in their promises. I was blindsided and left me feeling so empty.
But I recovered and now I look back and wish they had my life. Taking all into consideration, I’m happy now.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I was ready to quit college. (American University). I hated it. The classes. Being away from home. I was so alone and lonely. But I had no or very few options. So, I met with my Advisor to inform him of my choice to drop out. He listened to me. I vented. I confessed. I went on and on. He asked me why I was “here”. I told him it hadn’t been my first choice (UCLA was, NYU was second) and I ended up here because a few of my friends enrolled so I applied and I got accepted.
He then asked me, “what do you like?” I was taken aback. No one had ever asked me that. I didn’t know what he was really asking but I laid it out there. “I love TV, movies, the theater, books, poetry, music, art, and…” He interrupted me, looking at my folio. “So, you’re not taking one class that interests you. Did you know we have a TV studio, AM/FM radio stations, a newspaper, a film studio – and more in our media communications department.” And that was that. I changed my major, my classes and found my new self. His name is Ron Sutton and the fifteen minutes we spent together changed my life.
Ten years later I established the NAVARAC FILM SCHOLARSHIP and donated $20,000 for students to use to finish their multimedia projects. I was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for my generosity. NAVARAC is the word CARAVAN spelled backwards. It is also the name (NAVARAC) of my first production company. Our first commercial project was to introduce the world to the Dodge Caravan. Sorry about that.
Do you think the public version of you is the real you?
I am who I am. What you see is what you get. I do what I say I’ll do. I want what I want. I love and appreciate who I am and what I got. I don’t hide my emotions. I don’t tolerate bullshit. I expect you to respect me and I’ll respect you. I’m always first when it comes to trusting or believing in someone or something. If you want my help, ask me. If you want my trust, trust me. But don’t ever f*** me, I never forget
Before we go, what is the story you hope people talk about you when you’re gone?
Dennis’s life was filled with accomplishments and imperfections. He often talked about his mistakes and missteps. He believed that to live was to make mistakes and to be conscious of one’s regrets was proof of having truly seen life, not just pass through it. Dennis pursued wisdom through experience. He leaves us with one last memory, “I have lived the life I wanted to live and I have no misgivings of the choices I made”. When asked to name something that has had the greatest impact on his life, without hesitation, Dennis answered, “the rear- view mirror.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.dennisgelbaum.com/
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/dennisgelbaum3153
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dennisjg3153?si=0n8N1rLzF-phLCe5
- Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1N2ma1UezAfjgek7IDix4E?si=nqLL1OEZQGKaj-D0Rmgnzw
