Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Desir.
Jonathan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Let’s see, born in NY, but raised by two Haitian parents in the Detroit area. Middle child of 5. Moved to Chicago 13 years ago after graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a BA in psychology, but no clue what to do next. My brother introduced me to advertising, and since then, I have become an Executive Producer at Optimus. And board president of Free Spirit Media, a non for profit that helps inner-city youth learn and mentor industry professionals.
In this time, I have had numerous life-changing experience that I hope to inspire. I have been inspired by so many. I have also been a poet and emcee for many years and have been able to perform all over Chicago. So, I try to take the various aspects of my life and merge them together. Whether it be through networking or applying different things, I learned in one field to another.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been so lucky, and am surrounded by a support system full of people that help me along the way. Of course, there have been many a road bump along the way. The worst is losing a brother when I was in college. In all things I try to take the good with the bad, losing him brought my family so close. And taught me to value every day and to love those you have and share that with them every day.
Being a black man in a predominantly white industry, and in the political climate we are currently in has been tough too. Along with the ever challenging economy, I think I have had it as smooth as possible. I have been pretty successful in my career thus far and have been able to help others which is all I can ask for. I aspire for bigger and better things but also understand the importance of patience. We live in a world of instant gratification but as they say, good things come to those who wait!
Please tell us about Optimus.
Optimus is an amazing place, voted such a few years ago, top 10 places to work amongst all industries. We specialize in all things production and post. Primarily for TV commercials. Over my career, I have had the opportunity to work with any from major corporations like McDonald’s and the Chicago Bulls. To other projects outside of advertising like hosting NBA tv’s The Starters live show. And I even made a cameo in a commercial with Millie Bobby Brown! 🙂
I am an Executive Producer, so I manage projects and talent schedules and budgets primarily. Specifically for editorial and animation on the post-production side.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I know most people say they would do nothing different. And I value every experience I have had. BUT, I do think I would do some things differently if I had that magical power. Mostly just out of curiosity, I like a lot of things. I’m infatuated with video games and technology. And basketball.
Probably would have traveled more, I’ve never left the US or Canada besides Haiti once. So, I would love to go overseas, you learn so much from traveling and meeting people from other cultures.
I would also eat less candy, the dentist is very annoying, lol!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Optimusdesignchicago
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