GIVE ME A MUSEUM AND I'LL FILL IT.
-PICASSO
Jess Mendes is a creative with a proven track record of elevating brands and experiential activations. The Los Angeles-based creative began her career at Buzzfeed executing social and editorial branded content campaigns. At Complex, she contributed to partnerships and revolutionized experiential activations, including ComplexCon, ultimately boosting the brand's legacy.
In 2018, Jess embarked on her own journey as an independent strategist and producer for a variety of agencies, artists, and brands, including OVO Sound, 300 Entertainment, Highsnobiety, and Air Company. Her recent accomplishments include being awarded the Allen C. Crocker Family Fellowship, which she utilized to create "Same-Same But Different"–a community resource that improves the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
A multi-hyphenate creative, Jess Mendes is dedicated to advancing the role of compelling storytelling in cultural experiences. Conversational in four languages, she is known for her ability to work well with diverse teams. Her enthusiasm, skills and experience make her a valuable addition to any project.
SAME-SAME BUT DIFFERENT
ZINE & COMMUNITY RESOURCE
FUNDED BY THE ALLEN C. CROCKER FELLOWSHIP, 2021-2023
OVO SOUND
SINGLES, ALBUMS, MERCH AND RADIO
2021 RELEASES
MARKETING MANAGER, DIGITAL
PRODUCER
HARAM ALBUM ART
JOE PEREZ STUDIO FOR GOLDLINK
RCA RECORDS, 2021
UP + RISING
i-D'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
A CELEBRATION OF BLACK VOICES, 2020
PRODUCER
AIR COMPANY
THE WORLD'S FIRST VODKA MADE FROM AIR
2019 PRODUCT LAUNCH
CREATIVE CONSULTANT
PRODUCER
KEEP WALKING
SHAKE PRODUCTIONS FOR JOHNNIE WALKER
HOLIDAY 2019 CAMPAIGN
PRODUCER
BE MERRY. GIVE JOY.
SHAKE PRODUCTIONS FOR BANNANA REPUBLIC
HOLIDAY 2019 CAMPAIGN
DREAM IT REAL
GENERAL IDEA FOR COACH
FALL 2019 CAMPAIGN
PRODUCER, AGENCY
BAKE YOU RICH
SEASON 1, EPISODE 1-4
THE FOOD NETWORK, 2019
TALENT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
PRIMARY
A SHORT FILM BY STUDIO SCHEMATA
INDEPENDENT RELEASE, 2019
SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
MASTER OF GRAPHICS
HIGHSNOBIETY FOR UNIQLO UT
BRAND PARTNERSHIP STUDIO, 2019
GONNA LOVE ME REMIX
TEYANA TAYLOR FEATURING GHOSTFACE, METHOD MAN, RAEKWON
DEF JAM RECORDS, 2018
SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
HUMAN
MAGGIE LINDEMANN
300 ENTERTAINMENT, 2018
LIGHTS
FAMOUS DEX FEATURINGDRAX PROJECT
300 ENTERTAINMENT, 2018
![JESS MENDES-COMPLEX IMG[006]4.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7cbf98_4f1bdfc51b2d44ae9c9cd3731aefd256~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_158,h_190,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/JESS%20MENDES-COMPLEX%20IMG%5B006%5D4.jpg)
ART DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
TRACK BY TRACK
INSIDE PHONY PPL'S MOZIAK ALBUM
300 ENTERTAINMENT, 2018
BRKRS
VIDEO SERIES
300 ENTERTAINMENT, 2018
SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
MARKETING MANAGER
COMPLEX NETWORKS
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT 2017-2018
Complex Networks (fka Verizon Hearst Media Partners) is a joint venture building new multi-platform video channels to target the ultimate mobile audience. As marketing manager, I strategized and oversaw the execution of digital, linear and out-of-home activations for key series, including but not limited to, ComplexCon(versations) S2, QB1: Beyond the Lights, Road to Race Day, The Burger Show S2 and Why We Fight.
Impact across all owned and operated sites, social platforms and OOT apps (Apple TV, go90 and Roku)
- 804MM UNIQUES
- 1.1G PAGE VIEWS
- 17MM SOCIAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
BRAND STRATEGIST
COMPLEXCON 2016
Cultural footprint in two days:
- 90+ HOURS OF CONTENT
- 2.2G SOCIAL IMPRESSIONS
- $10MM IN SALES
- 382 VENDORS
- 3,500 ATTENDEES
BRAND PARTNERSHIP STUDIO, 2016
2016 launched the first ComplexCon—an expertly curated convention and festival merging pop culture, music, art, food, style, sports, innovation and education. As a strategist, it was my job to uphold cultural authenticity during the creative development of several experiential activations that resonate and align with brand initiatives.
BRAND STRATEGIST
COMPLEX MEDIA
BRAND PARTNERSHIP STUDIO, 2016-2017
Originally a print magazine, COMPLEX is now the leading lifestyle publisher in streetwear, pop-culture, music and sports. During my 17 months as a brand strategist, I lead creative brainstorms, produced comprehensive sales tools daily, and collaborated with cross-departmental teams to develop campaigns for brands across a variety of verticals and platforms, ultimately generating $9MM+ in revenue for the company.
BRAND PARTNERSHIP STUDIO, 2014-2015
BUZZFEED
BuzzFeed is an independent, digital media company delivering news and entertainment to millennials worldwide. In my role as a junior creative, I worked closely with a wider team to develop original content for advertising partners, including, but not limited to, Nike Sportswear Brasil, Google Play, Burger King, Skittles, Trojan and Spotify. In addition to content creation, we used proprietary technology and modern data metrics to continuously test and optimize ways to better serve our audience and partners.