Andy
When I started BLAH BLAH BLAH we focused on vfx/design/animation. Over the years we’ve added live action to offer a “soup to nuts” solution. We’ve been lucky to always work with the best companies in the industry.
Although my background includes working at advertising agencies as well as being the client for a casino, my favorite time has been as an agent involved with iconic tv commercials and memorable tv shows like THOMAS THE TANK produced by the British production company CLEARWATER as owner and EP for the American division; Pee Wee’s Playhouse as EP along with David Starr for BROADCAST ARTS; and my first big gig for BBB putting together BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD for Mike Judge and MTV/Viacom. Probably learned the most from that one, as in DO NOT TRUST BIG CORPORATIONS unless you get it in writing first.
Possibly my best number one idea was dreaming up the name BLAH BLAH BLAH when I was EP at R/GA. When I left R/GA I had BLAH BLAH BLAH inscribed on my daily calendar. That seemed perfect for the new company because I would be talking to so many people daily. And it worked! A few weeks after announcing the name I attended an event at Lincoln Center and people were congratulating me because they loved the name. Who knew so many years later we would still be going strong!?
And now it’s time to let my partner, Marci Selsberg, run the company and for me to step into the shadows. I am still around to help out when I can. And I’m learning animation for myself because I came up with a fun online show idea that I hope to start animating and posting soon.
Marci
30+ years. That’s how long I’ve been living in the world of animation and VFX. Like many of us, I started at an ad agency (Campbell Ewald). Soon thereafter, I moved over to the production side spending two years with a live action director here in NYC.
Next stop…. The famous Broadcast Arts, the NYC animation hub who did Pee Wee’s Playhouse, all the original MTV I.D.’s, Bud Bowl, etc. From that point on, it was all animation and VFX for me. I fell in love with the animation world and the creative people who live in it.
This led to representing animation/VFX studios from all over the world for commercials, helping to open up studios here in NY, even making my film debut as “The Lunch Lady” in a spot for Nickelodeon at Curious Pictures (if you’re nice to me, I’ll show it to you). My partner, Andy Arkin and I have been working together at BLAH! Blah? (Blah…) for… get this… over 23 years. And now, as he takes a step back, I’ll be taking this baby forward and doing my best to make Andy proud.
On top of all that, I like to call myself a “Drumming, Moonwalking, Knitting, Vespa-riding Married Working Mom.”
Monica
I randomly got bitten by the advertising love bug before the metaverse was a thing and have worked in the advertising industry for over a decade. I began my advertising career as an agency producer producing for brands around the world prior to joining forces with Marci, Andy & Ryan at BLAH! (blah?) Blah….
The opportunities that allow our studios from across the globe to collaborate with agencies/producers on iconic, memorable spots has been extremely gratifying. Animation brings a sense of imagination and magic where the creative is limitless.
I’m also an accomplished pianist and chef and am always in the process of creating and making things happen. I’m inspired daily by creativity, the arts, music, travel & culture. I believe in having goals, dreaming big, aiming for the impossible and accomplishing anything you put your mind to.
Ryan
15 years ago, I left my hometown of Stow, Ohio for NYC and hit the ground running in production. Since then, I’ve worked for A&E’s Biography channel and The Onion’s dearly departed video department (rest in peace), as well as under my idol, the filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. In 2014, I directed a music video for the band Zulus, which debuted on Vice/Noisey and was featured in the Boston Underground Film Festival. I’m also a huge graphic novel fan, and have self-published a few with some talented illustrator friends.
I’ve always been interested in animation, even though I cannot draw for the life of me! I’m lucky enough to work and interact with the talented studios Blah represents every day. It’s fascinating to see them take an idea and bring it to life in such bold, bright and creative ways.
I currently live in Brooklyn with my wife and rare vinyl record collection. I love recording music with a home studio full of vintage synthesizers. I faithfully eat brunch at the same neighborhood place every Sunday. I ride my bike less than I should. Yup, I’m THAT Brooklyn guy!