Growing, Smart and Slow: Why It’s Time for Taylor James To Move Outside Its Comfort Zone

“In the lifespan of a company you’ll arrive at what I always refer to as the ‘booster rocket stage’,” explains Adam Isidore, the new Managing Director of Taylor James New York. “It’s the stage at which you ignite the rocket that takes the company to its next destination.”

It’s fair to say that Taylor James, a company with a pedigree in the perfection of pixels, has hit the booster rocket stage. Isidore’s arrival from The Mill, coupled with last year’s pair of high profile appointments in London – which saw Emma Ibbetson and Pete Addington joining as Executive Producer and Head of 3D and Technology, respectively – strengthened the company’s senior leadership team and marked a signal of intent for 2017. 

The trio of key appointments builds on what was an incredibly successful 2016 for Taylor James. Known for being able to create incredibly photo real animation, the team saw its work for Langland’s Gaucher Bone campaign rewarded with four Bronze Lions at Cannes. Add to that the Silver awarded to Arnold Worldwide and Sonifi’s Toujeo campaign at the MM&M awards, and its evident that the hard work that the company has been putting in is getting the recognition is deserves.

Founded by Glen Taylor, Taylor James has come a long way from the makeshift, small studio that in Shoreditch in 1999. Having since built up a team of 59 people split across two continents, servicing an impressive roster of clients including Google, Honda, Heineken, Credit Suisse and Rolex, it feels like Taylor James has just about reached tipping point. Or better put, the booster rocket stage.

Whilst the time seems right for Glen and the team accelerate the progress that’s been made over the last fifteen years, one thing that Isidore has learnt, particularly from his time at The Mill, is the importance of a smart expansion rather than trying to accomplish too much at one time. 

The company is making a conscious effort to give itself a presence directly where its clients are, making it easier for close collaboration. Whilst it’s a process that they’ve only just begun, they’ve already got their toe stuck into the Pacific Ocean by opening in LA and also opened a satellite office in Detroit last year. Plans are afoot to expand the offering in Europe too, with a German office in the pipeline to open later on in 2017 (so watch this space).

With a rich heritage in the automotive sector, it makes sense for the company to expand its reach into the traditional motoring hotbeds. Smart expansion indeed. 

Over the years, Taylor James has worked with an incredible array of automotive brands and so much of the company’s history is therefore steeped in automotive work. By positioning themselves within the traditional motoring centres of Detroit and LA (as well as already being situated in New York, the modern day home of a handful of major car brands), they’re allowing themselves and their clients and easier and more fruitful way to collaborate.  

As well as geographical growth, it’s been important for Taylor James to grown its team – not just in size, but as people. For Isidore, that’s one of the most exciting parts of the job; being able to help nurture careers, growing people as far as they can go.

“As we continue to grow, we must do so with a variety of artists that are skilled in multiple platforms and can help brands tell a unified story,” he explains. “The part of our business that I most enjoy is the creative energy – not just of a project but of an organisation. When clients hire a company, they are hiring not just the people and the work but their culture, values and aesthetics as well.” 

“When I met Glen (Taylor) it felt like a terrifically thrilling challenge was ahead; making significant growth while retaining the success the company had built over the years,” explains Isidore. “But to do so, the time has come for Taylor James to move outside of its comfort zone.  I credit Glen with being so comfortable being uncomfortable.” 

“The ‘booster rocket stage’ is an incredibly scintillating challenge - or a great creative brief, to use an advertising term. The opportunity to strategize, navigate, and make change happen is too exciting to pass up,” concludes Isidore. “I’m extremely optimistic and excited. There are a lot of dire predictions about our country and culture lately, but I remain optimistic and it’ll be an exciting year to see how our industry helps our clients manage the market.”