Ashlee Hollis is the President and Founder of Helm Creative Studio, a certified woman-owned marketing agency based in Philadelphia with a global client base. Under her leadership, the studio has secured recognition from the City of Philadelphia for its positive social impact while advancing meaningful causes for clients worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1. Congratulations on your achievements in the Vega Digital Awards! Could you start by introducing yourself or your agency? Can you also share a bit about your journey into your current industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you so much for your kind words regarding our win! I\u2019m Ashlee Hollis, President and Founder of the award-winning Helm Creative Studio<\/strong>, a certified woman-owned marketing and creative agency with a production house based in Philadelphia, serving clients around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Co-Founder of The Story Factory<\/strong> \u2014 a space that nurtures stories and creates content while uplifting people in the process \u2014 my husband Elijah, who also serves as Helm\u2019s Chief Storyteller, and I have set in motion a new era of storytelling in the heart of Philadelphia. We\u2019ve built a foundation that values people over production, ensuring creativity and social impact are our standard, while investing in the next generation of creatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hold degrees in Business Administration, Digital Marketing, and Philanthropy, and have worked to build a team culture where creatives thrive \u2014 centered on growth, excellence, clarity, creativity, passion, and heart. I\u2019m fiercely dedicated to making an impact with our work, ensuring that for every creative project we produce, a portion goes back to youth and creative communities in Philadelphia and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We remain committed to accelerating the causes we care about and those of our clients. We\u2019re honored to have received a citation from the City of Philadelphia for our contributions toward positive social impact, and we proudly recognize the global clients who help make this possible<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. What inspired you to submit your work for this competition, and what does winning mean to you personally and professionally?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We often say that we don\u2019t submit awards just for the sake of winning them, but we recognize that winning awards builds trust with clients and those considering working with us. Awards also create greater impact by highlighting our clients and the causes they hold dear, while enabling us to give back in meaningful ways to youth and creatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the awards we\u2019ve received allow us to shine a light on the incredible clients we work with\u2014such as Jessica Buchanan, an author, speaker, survivor, and coach. As storytellers, we find it especially rewarding to elevate the voices and work of those making a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have the privilege of working firsthand with artists, creatives, and changemakers, and filming with Jess Buchanan was a significant experience for me and my team. Jess is fierce, kind, and deeply committed to supporting and amplifying women\u2019s voices. It\u2019s an honor to win for this video, because making an impact through one\u2019s voice is a core part of Jess\u2019s mission in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3. Can you share the story behind your success? What inspired its creation, and what do you feel it represents in today\u2019s industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe the video featured represents the humanity behind being a mother\u2014or the journey of motherhood. It\u2019s so important not to forget the human element that makes us feel something, that creates stories and experiences that stay with us. We live in a world of highlights, reels, and on-stage content, constantly filled with actors, performers, influencers, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We aim to add value and dignity to the stories we\u2019re privileged to encounter each and every time. For this video, we used our creativity at Helm to craft an anthology of women\u2019s voices, exploring their personal journeys in navigating what it means to want to be\u2014or to become\u2014a mother. This topic offered healing for the voices involved, and we honor their vulnerability and courage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A core cultural value at Helm is to value people over production. Part of that is meeting people where they are\u2014seeing them as individuals beyond what they do\u2014while celebrating their passions, experiences, and humanity, just as this video expresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q4. What do you believe set your project apart in such a competitive field? Were there specific elements or strategies that made it shine?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One element people have responded to is the honesty within the video. There\u2019s a sense of humanity that carries through\u2014something deeply relatable to anyone who has known a mother, which is everyone. It\u2019s the experience of seeing a diverse group of women, and Jess\u2014herself a kidnapping survivor rescued by SEAL Team Six\u2014now choosing to amplify other women\u2019s voices in a personal and meaningful way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Helm, we\u2019re committed to fostering personal connection, empathy, and sensitivity to deep topics in every situation and throughout every aspect of our filming process, and that commitment is reflected in this video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (read more here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n