EXCLUSIVE: Global communications agency DDA has hired BAFTA Deputy Chair Julie La’Bassiere into the newly created role of Chief Strategy Officer. She joins from her previous role as an awards contractor for Apple TV+.
In the new role, La’Bassiere will spearhead the creative strategy and further commercialization of the agency’s business, which spans U.S. and UK film and series campaigns, consumer and corporate communications, influencer management, social media, personal publicity representation, design, international and festival publicity, live event production and awards. She will be based in DDA’s London office.
A well-respected veteran of the entertainment industry, La’Bassiere’s network and experience spans music, film and television publicity and awards both in the U.S. and UK. She was formerly the Director of Special Projects at Obscured Pictures for clients including Bleecker Street, Amazon Studios, Focus Features, Magnolia Pictures, Netflix and Roadside Attractions.
She has also held a diverse set of roles including CEO of BAFTA New York, Tour Marketing Executive at CAA and Director of Marketing and Industry for Tribeca Enterprises. In addition to her being the Deputy Chair of BAFTA, La’Bassiere is an AMPAS member and has served on numerous film festival juries and industry panels frequently lecturing on strategic brand development for filmmakers. She is a mentor for both We Are Parable’s Channel 4 Momentum Programme and Future of Film, a Founding Board Member of The Future of Film is Female, and sits on the Advisory Board for PAM CUT.
“Julie is such a beacon in the entertainment community, a connector of ideas, people and disciplines as well as a champion for change – so we are thrilled she has joined DDA’s senior leadership team in this role,” said DDA President Neil Bhatt. “Lawrence [Atkinson], Dana [Archer], John [Stannard], and I as the DDA board will be working alongside Julie across all the verticals of our growing agency, building on the legacy of the last fifty years – ensuring we continue to attract the very best of the industry and offer a service which keeps pace with a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.”
La’Bassiere added: “I am delighted to be joining the incredible team at DDA. Their commitment to the combination of legacy, vision and innovation is unparalleled and I am excited to bring my skills and experience to such a phenomenal agency.”