Airbnb’s Creative Team Expands with Hire of Global Head of Production

Airbnb has appointed Jenny Gadd to the role of Global Head of Production. After spending over 20 years working for agencies and production companies, Gadd is excited to be switching gears, finally working client side for one of the most interesting and innovative brands today. Her hire follows the recent promotions of Alexandra Anderson and Samya Deb to Creative Directors in San Francisco and Singapore, respectively, and the hire of San Francisco-based Naz Arandi’s as Creative Director.

A Swedish native, Gadd’s untraditional career path led her first to the US in 1996, working for Fallon Worldwide on award-winning campaigns for Citibank, BMW, Miller Lite and United Airlines, before taking production roles with Believe Media and Thomas Thomas Films. Returning to Sweden in 2007 to oversee production for clients such as Adidas, Google and Toyota for award-winning digital agency North Kingdom, Gadd soon found herself back on US soil, joining Johannes Leonardo in New York as Head of Integrated Production working for clients such as Coca-Cola and Google. 

In hiring Gadd, Airbnb also pulls from within its own community. As a seasoned Airbnb host and traveler and a self-proclaimed early adapter of the brand, Gadd says, “I am beyond thrilled to join James, Tony and the entire creative team at Airbnb. I love everything Airbnb stands for; this is a company that has ultimately changed the way the world of travel functions. We also share the same core values, making this not only a perfect personal fit but a truly exciting professional opportunity.”

Gadd will be based in San Francisco, CA and report to James Goode, Director of Airbnb’s in-house creative team. This role will see her taking a more hybrid approach, working with production partners in the industry, as well as the organic team of filmmakers, editors and photographers found within the Airbnb community that are often utilised for content creation. 

Most recently, Gadd worked with the NY Ogilvy & Mather team as Executive Director of Content Production, overseeing their broadcast and online video producers, as well as business affairs, talent and broadcast operations. In her new role, Gadd will utilise her extensive cross-platform experience to help continue bringing the Airbnb story to life and showcasing their diverse global community. 

“As brand custodians we represent a globally diverse community. To continually create resonant content for that community and beyond, finding and promoting the best diverse creative talent remains at the forefront of our recruitment goals” adds James Goode, Director, head of Airbnb’s in-house creative team. “Jenny’s diverse background, global perspective and her cross-industry expertise will directly impact the way in which Airbnb represents itself in the wider world.”