Love Song Opens UK Office

The award-winning boutique production company Love Song established their presence in the UK by setting up a dedicated office, now led by executive producer Shirley O’Connor. 

Love Song’s presence in the UK has already made a splash with their contribution to the iconic Channel 4 idents produced by Art Practice. Love Song's Will Dohrn, Bafic, Elliott Power, Justyna Obasi, and Daniel Wolfe formed one half of the directorial team on the hypnotising interstitials for the emblematically British channel. The idents would go on to win two Grand Prix at Ciclope along with four Gold Awards and one Silver for direction. O’Connor already served as executive producer for the high-profile eight-film campaign rebranding EE, a popular British telecom brand, directed by Daniel Wolfe, Elliott Power, and Will Dohrn. With Shirley O’Connor guiding Love Song’s expansive creative prospects in the UK, the celebrated US-based production company can plant roots and evolve a natural progression of its creative momentum.

Known for her collaborative capabilities and helping artists find their voice, Shirley’s career as a producer is coloured by accolades, renowned film festivals, and drive, with Love Song becoming the latest addition to her palette. Originally from Ireland, Shirley was a producer and EP at Pulse Films for nine years before moving into freelance, where she worked with Academy Pictures, MJZ, Somesuch, and Caviar to produce commercials and narrative films with top creatives. She has produced two music videos helmed by A-list director Paul Thomas Anderson for the band The Smile. Her work with Balenciaga adapted around the limitations of the pandemic and delivered a 10-minute music video shot on the streets of Paris for the high-end designer’s 2021 Spring/Summer Collection.

Shirley led the charge on many important campaigns within the UK, including 'This is Our BBC,' marking the 100th anniversary of the network, as well as the ever-popular Christmas ad for John Lewis, 'The Boy and the Piano,' featuring Elton John. 'The Boy and the Piano' won numerous Cannes Lions, Ciclope, British Arrows, Kinsale, Creative Circle, One Show, and Shots Awards. Last year, O’Connor produced the feature film Earth Mama, for which she recently earned a BAFTA nomination in Outstanding Debut By A Writer, Director, Or Producer. Directed by Savanah Leaf, the film was financed by Film4 and A24 and premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Already home to an array of UK talent, Bafic, Camille Summers-Valli, Elliott Power, Jess Kohl, Max Weiland, Walid Labri, and Will Dohrn, this expansion led by Shirley also speaks to Love Song’s commitment to serving its talent on their home turf, ensuring they are creatively supported in every step of their evolving careers.

“I’m honoured to be running Love Song in the UK,” says Shirley. “Working with the talent there has stretched my perception of what’s possible to achieve and has energised me to no end. I’m so excited about where the company is heading. I look forward to working with our incredible UK talent and introducing some of our amazing artists from further afield to a new territory."

Kelly Bayett, founder of Love Song, says of the company’s newest hire, “Shirley can do anything. As a producer, she’s tenacious and excited by new stories and talent to the extent that pioneering new ways of working and taking well-measured creative risks is her default. Her career is impressive, and she’s a wonderful person to work with. Our UK office could not be in better hands, and I could not have more fun working with someone. Her energy is infectious!”

Love Song was founded by Kelly Bayett and Daniel Wolfe.