IMDb x Molly Shapiro: A Framework for Authenticity

Our featured guest is Molly Shapiro, senior art director of IMDb and creative director and founder of her own company, Studio Vesper.

Molly went from working as a hairstylist in a salon to a hairstylist on photoshoot sets to a graphic design student before she realized that she’d rather create her own artistic vision than carry out someone else’s. So when she finally settled on becoming an art director, she knew for sure she’d found her calling. Today, Molly has leveraged her previous career experience to develop the four pillars of authenticity in branding, which serve as a guiding light for her and her team of marketing specialists. In this episode, Molly talks about how to connect with Gen Z and engage various personas by sharing her personal framework (and a handy worksheet!). Your mind(set) is about to be blown!

Guest Bio:

Molly has always been a creative destined for leadership. The Los Angeles native first started as a hairstylist but once she got a taste of life on set she realized she wanted to work on photoshoots instead. Her experience taught her more about the creative process and ultimately led her to graphic design school. She realized quickly after enrolling that art direction was her real dream. Using all of the lessons and experiences of her past, Molly dove headfirst into “big fish, little pond” freelancing jobs she later leveraged in the “big fish, big pond” role she holds today. Next up for Molly: moving to Charleston, South Carolina for six months to enjoy coastal living and dolphin sightings!

Key Takeaways:

• We take notes on Molly’s four pillars of authenticity in branding and how to use them. 
• Molly divulges her insight into how perfectionism holds brands back from doing the real work. 
• We gab about how past careers fuel current job success. 
• Want to attract more Gen Z customers? Molly shares what she knows about how younger generations interpret marketing these days. 
• We explore how Molly builds out marketing campaigns and creative ideas.