Clair Grupp

In 1997 I began studying advertising and film at Art Center College of Design and TV production at UCLA. Wanting to get my hands wet in the business, in 1989 I landed a job as an office manager at Jay Silverman Productions in Hollywood. That lasted a day before I was handed the production coordinator position. Six months later I became the executive producer overseeing the film and print work for clients such as Pepsi-Cola, Disney and Anheuser Busch, working with many celebrity talent such as Vanna White, Joe Montana, and Clint Clemens.

In 1991 I headed back to my hometown of Minneapolis to produce for Craig Perman Pictures. A recognized photographer of stark realistic portraiture featured in the advertising of Jack Daniels, Harley Davidson, Wrangler and Time Magazine.

Eager to get back into the film medium, in 1994 I made the transition into the agency side and began producing TV for Fallon McElligott, working on campaigns for Ameritech, Miller Lite, Holiday Inn, and Lee Jeans.

In 1996 I left briefly to Martin Williams Advertising, where I produced work for Target, 3M, and Bissell. And returned to Fallon in 1997.

In 1998 I expanded my horizons and began freelancing. While producing a campaign for Northwest Airlines, traveling completely around the world, I took the opportunity to pursue my past times. After a shoot in Tokyo I headed to the countryside of Japan, visiting the old pottery Villages. In Amsterdam I purchased a real Amsterdamer bicycle that I ride around New York.

In the summer of 1999 I began freelancing with Cliff Freeman and Partners, producing several campaigns for Fanta, traveling to Spain and Mexico. In the fall of 1999 I took the job as executive producer, overseeing all aspects of production. Working on all accounts such as Coke Classic, Fox Sports, Budget Rent a Car, Staples, Hollywood Video, and more recently Hardee’s, Quizno’s, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

In my spare time, which is far and few between, I enjoy music, playing bass guitar and dancing with Edwin, my little boy born last year.