The Soze Agency

Dear Colleagues, Partners, Friends + Family, As we end 2023, we reflect back on a year that brought much joy, struggle, success, transition and new opportunities. As a worker-owned company, rooted in a core set of values, we take enormous pride in our work, our partnerships and our clients. We also recognize that many of those in our community have had a difficult year, and we hold all of you in our hearts. One of our dear friends in the work, Michael Latt, recently fell victim to a tragic act of violence and we want to uplift the incredible impact he created on the world during his life, which ended far too soon. We send our sincere condolences to his family + friends. In a trying year, we also found ways to push through and keep working towards our dreams. At Soze, we believe in celebrating the “wins.” This year, we grew our team by 35% and very excitedly expanded our co-ownership team which now includes Liliana Avila, Associate Director of Client Operations, Zach Norman, Senior Designer and Alicia Torres, Manager of Client Operations. We’re thrilled to welcome them as official co-owners of the Agency! We have had the privilege of working with amazing clients + partners on creative branding, marketing campaigns, in-person experiences, large-scale exhibitions and national tours. Since day one of our company, we have believed that our work can have a global impact. In that spirit, we’re thrilled to announce we’re opening an office in London! After producing several projects that were based in London, we have decided to officially expand our global footprint. Earlier in the year, we also opened an office in Washington, D.C. as we look to expand our presence in our nation’s capital. In the coming year, we are excited about our growth opportunities, especially in the areas of sport, film and television. Look out for announcements in Q1 of 2024! There are many challenges we are facing, collectively, across the globe. However, we feel that Soze is uniquely positioned to turn these challenges into moments where we can engage people in a powerful way, through the lens of storytelling. We hope we get the chance to tell these stories in 2024! Until then, we wish you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season. With deep appreciation, Alicia, Daveen, Jacqueline, Liliana, Michael and Zach

Welcome to the House of Power! In partnership with Care in Action (@careinactionus), Soze was honored to design and produce a space built for and by women dedicated to making a collective impact on shaping the future of democracy and forging a more compassionate, intersectional, equitable nation. Held during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, IL, The House of Power represented the home of the revolution—for activists, organizers, innovators, creators, and political figures at the forefront of culture and policy joined together to celebrate and build community as they get energized to shape a shared future where women can live, work, and thrive with freedom, dignity, and respect. With the curation of a unique mainstage design, takeaways by women creators, and a custom photo installation featuring Vice President Kamala Harris’s journey to the White House, our team knows the importance of building spaces for women with intention, compassion, and equity for our future. During such an unprecedented time in our country’s history, it is a privilege to continue our work with Care In Action, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States. Photos by: Bexx Francois

This summer has been one for the books. Shoutout to our Summer 2024 interns! We’re incredibly grateful to have had these exceptional individuals on our team, bringing fresh perspectives, creativity, and enthusiasm. Swipe to learn more about this amazing crew’s time with us, and check out their Soze Summer playlist for good summer vibes. ☀️ ➡ spoti.fi/3Ao9WhP

In partnership with Taproot Earth, Soze was honored to produce the 2024 Gulf South to Appalachia Community Assembly. The event brought together 600 front-line community members from the Gulf South to Appalachia regions for a day filled with joy, collaboration, and cultural celebrations. Held in Birmingham, AL at the historic Kelly Ingram Park, steps from 16th Street Baptist Church, this gathering was anchored by Gulf South to Appalachia, an independent, frontline formation rooted by Taproot Earth. Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, they bridged the Gulf South and Appalachia — two regions historically pitted against each other in the climate crisis, but who are crafting collective solutions to win together. As the event producer, Soze curated a space rooted in community that emphasized sustainable practices. Alongside tangential billboard installations, the gathering featured food from local farmers and food trucks, as well as local music entertainment. We believe in the power of communities to transform narratives and drive meaningful change. With Langston Allston, an artist and storyteller, we created a monumental mural alongside the historic Citizens Express Pharmacy operated by Dr. Delmous Vance. We are deeply committed to climate justice and investing in local communities at Soze. We are proud to continually partner with the dedicated activists of Taproot Earth as they foster networks across the globe and lead the way in frontline community investment, with a vision that through collective action, we can re-imagine a world where everyone can live, rest, and thrive in the places we love. Photos by: Cfreedom Photography @cfreedom504 + Tony Minifield @ynot_images

Apple's recent ad, "Crush!" depicts a machine destroying humankind's most precious creative tools. Our client, Heat Initiative, is holding Apple accountable. We are proud to have created and produced Heat Initiative's parody of Apple's ad, sending a clear message: we won’t let Apple crush childhood too. Heat Initiative demands that Apple make their products safer for kids by letting kids report, requiring safer apps, and stopping the spread of child sexual abuse on iCloud. Follow Heat Initiative for more updates. - Credits: Director Victoria Sahores Ripoll @vic_ripoll Music and sound design Eric Hoegemeyer @erichoegemeyer  AD Agostina Ravazzola @agos_ravazzola Concept artist Hernán grito Bruno @grito_btc Colorist Constanza Curia  @constanza.curia Post production Pablo Kondratas @pablokondratas Animation and character coordination @maryzancolli Animation Sebastian Conen @nionio.stopmo Animation Malena Martinez @a.ni.male Gaffer/rigger Seba Hojnadel @sebarba311 Production @solbizzozero PA Camila Brugues Saavedra @camibrugues PA @⁨Lucia_castrocastro Character design @nino_nicoleta Art direction/workshop coordination Florencia Ortt @flnrtt Production on set: Indiana Simanauskas @indianasimanauskas Tamara Gomez @tam.tam.gomez Carolina Stefanini @carolina_stefanini_ Dominique Vispo @dominiquevispo Analía Rodriguez @Analiarodriguez196 Creative direction & production Gaspar Guerra @gasparguerranyc Art direction and design Pablo Mendez @mendezdelzagal Account director and project manager Liliana Avila @lilerrrzzz Message: @heatinitiative 

We are unburdened by what has been, and energized for what’s next. Let’s go 🔥 Photo Credit: Bexx Francois | @BexxFrancois

I couldn't be more grateful. A few months ago, the team at The Soze Agency flew out to Los Angeles to produce a photo and video campaign for a beautiful new initiative called Arts For EveryBody. If you know me, you know that my favorite part of my job is getting to produce photo and video projects. But, this campaign is extra special to me. I am honored to have gotten the opportunity to not only cast this series, but also direct the PSA video, which went live earlier today (with a feature in Us Weekly). My career at Soze continues to be a blessing, and allows me to achieve dreams I never thought I would. Visit artsforeverybody.org to learn about the connection between art and health.

Apple recently hosted its annual Worldwide Developers Conference to showcase its latest technologies. Meanwhile, Heat Initiative is addressing a critical issue: Apple products are not safe for kids. While developers explored Apple Intelligence, Heat Initiative stood with survivors, youth leaders, parents, and child safety experts to share their powerful stories. These stories highlighted the real-world impact of technology on children's safety and the urgent need for change. The Soze Agency proudly supported the Heat Initiative by designing and producing impactful environmental signage for the protest. We stand firmly with @HeatInitiative in demanding that Apple let kids report abuse, require safer apps, and stop the spread of child sexual abuse on their platforms. Photos by Brooke Anderson @mmovementphotographer

Only 43% of Americans believed immigrants strengthened our country in 2014. Today, that number has risen to 67%, reflecting a significant shift in the perception and representation of immigrants in America (Pew Research Center and Gallup). Since June 2014, we have proudly partnered with I am an Immigrant/ I Stand With Immigrants Initiative and fwd.us to bring #ImmigrantHeritageMonth to life. From the "Food That Made Us" tour in cities like Seattle and Orlando to impactful online initiatives, we've crafted narrative-driven efforts that support IAAI/ISWI's work in empowering immigrants and driving legislative action. Our collaborations with artists, entertainers, and officials have been pivotal in driving awareness and amplifying the campaign's impact on the immigrant rights movement. We are grateful to have worked with influential voices like Lupita Nyong'o, America Ferrera, Karla Souza, Tracee Ellis Ross, Alan Cumming, and many more talented celebrities who champion and celebrate immigrants. We believe in the importance of commemorating immigrant heritage every day, not just in June. By uplifting and valuing immigrants, we can build a nation that embraces its diverse heritage. Visit www.iamanimmigrant.com to learn more.

Pride is creativity. Pride is an act of radical imagination. Pride is courageous joy. Happy Pride Month!