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Damaris Valero, Founder
Founder Damaris Valero of Animus GroupDamaris Valero’s twenty year history of media and marketing successes have thrust her down a path unforeseen by few in the entertainment industry. As Founder of Animus Entertainment Group, Damaris leads a progressive team of energetic go-getters producing film and television programming while also launching product and name brand commercial campaigns. Working internationally and also within the niche Hispanic market, her impressive list of clients include NBC/Telemundo, Nissan, Sprint/Nextel, Fox Television, Warner Music Group, and Gol TV. Damaris attributes her successes to living out her goals rather than dreaming about them alone, so if you’re interested to make your stamp on the world and following the brilliant example Damaris has already set, read on and find out more in this week’s Young & Professional Profile.
Company
Animus Entertainment Group
Founded
2003
Website
www.animusgroup.com
Name
Damaris Valero
Founder
Age
39
Hometown
Caracas, Venezuela
Current residence
Miami, Florida
Education
Saint Joseph's University, Double BA in Marketing and Management
Work Experience
Claxson Interactive Group, Chief Marketing Officer
MSN/YUPI.com
Universal Studios TV Group
MTV Latino
Nickelodeon Latin
Ethnicity
Hispanic
About the company
Animus Entertainment Group is a multi-media content provider and we develop shows with a strong focus on Branded Entertainment. Branded entertainment is blending together the essence of a brand with the essence of a show—and we do it seamlessly.
We see ourselves as media architects who connect ideas to multi-media platforms like Broadcast and Cable Networks, the Internet, Home Video, Mobile Phone technologies, etc. We take our own original ideas and develop and refine them all the way through execution—from beginning with an idea to what you see on the screen. We do it all: pre-production, production, post-production and delivery to on-air. We also team up with production partners in the U.S. and abroad for the highest quality end product possible. The purpose of our programming content is primarily to inspire, empower and entertain.
We understand the role TV plays in today’s society. We want to make a social impact empowering viewers feel better about themselves and be a catalyst for positive changes. At Animus, we live our vision everyday.
Some of our clients have included: PBS, NBC/Telemundo, Nissan, Sprint/Nextel, Hearst Corporation, Wisdom Media Group, Discovery Networks, Vidal Partnership Advertising Agency, Fox Television,Warner Music Group, Gol TV, Celestine Prophecy Holdings, Zeal TV among others. We offered these clients our services for the US Hispanic market and for the American market.
What are you day-to-day responsibilities?
Fulfilling the mission of the company. To serve as a mentor for all employees. Managing the goals and expectation of key projects.
Everything and anything that it takes to run a business—meeting with clients, developing show concepts, formats and pitches with our staff, delegating projects and responsibilities to each appropriate department, making presentations to networks, clients and production partners.
Most notable milestones
– Launching Animus Entertainment Group. It took a lot of time and effort courage and money. And it was a big step to decide to take the lead in handling an entire company as opposed to heading a department. I had the vision to empower people in an entertaining way and to be able to think outside the box
– We sold a format to E! in only a year of operation
– Developed and launched the first Branded Ent. Concept for the US Hispanic market
– Awarded a Telly Award for our our first Lifestyle show produced
What's the niche?
Definitely, it’s Branded Entertainment. Advertisers are now part of the programming.
The US Hispanic Market: it’s growing and it’s a priority to ad agencies, advertisers and networks. We are positioning ourselves as experts.
Other technologies: Our 21st century technology is changing the face of entertainment and the way it’s delivered to viewers. Various forms of entertainment are making the short journey from TV screens to cell phones, iPods and all kinds of mobile, hand-held devices. We deliver in short-form to all of these outlets.
What's the biggest challenge?
Everything and anything that it takes to run a business - there's so much!
What's in store for the future?
The US Hispanic market will continue to grow exponentially.
Branded Entertainment will be a traditional way of advertising to consumers.
The content will ravel to the consumer. It’s no longer the other way around.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
Producers/writers who have started to make a mark in the industry.
Ad agencies individuals who may want to join the Branded Entertainment movement. Other CEOs
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Best way to keep a competitive edge
Always know what’s going on in the marketplace and try to think a step or two ahead of the current social and political trends and technological developments. The ability to think outside the box also helps.
Guiding principle in life
I do not dream my goal in life. I live it.
Yardstick of success
If my life feels in balance, it is a great mark of success for me. If I can help change one life for the better, I feel in harmony with my success
Goal yet to be achieved
To carry out the mission of the company to the world.
Best practical advice
LISTEN more than talk. You may learn something new. And if you do, apply it in your life.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
There is nothing you can’t do. The universe is your canvas.
Mentor(s)
Paul Savoldelli, Oswald Mendez, Sara Levinson
What motivated you to get started?
For many years, I felt I carried out two parallel paths in my life: my career and my personal dreams. Starting my own business has allowed me to merge those two paths and unify them into ONE.
Because there was an opportunity to create a different type of television content. Networks are re-configuring out their formulas to better reach viewers. Our strength has been to tap into the growing trends of lifestyle programming.
Because the US Hispanic market is a growing market and many companies don’t know how to speak to this consumer force. We offer customized research, strategies and ideas on this growing niche market. Our background combines experience and “know how” from all angles: the viewer, the network and consumer brands.
Like best about what you do?
To be creative. To be in the creative process.
I am a closer. I love to close deals.
Like least about what you do?
Want to do too many things at the same time.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An architect – in a way I design TV shows now!
What was your first job?
Pillsbury Co. as a sales rep.
Biggest pastime outside of work
Meditation, reading & yoga, traveling outside the normal tourist attractions. Writing fiction.
Person most interested in meeting
If time was no object: Jesus
Leaders in business most interested in meeting
Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and Bono. They are all trying to make this a better world.
Three interesting facts about yourself
OPEN heart/ a sense of compassion.
I laugh at myself.
My word is something I take seriously.
Three characteristics that describe you
Bright, energetic, passionate about life and my work.
Three greatest passions
Spirituality, food, my work.
Favorite book
Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh.
Favorite cause
Helping the homeless, abandoned children and elders.
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