Highdive’s Jen Passaniti Named President of 1986 Studios

Chicago’s award-winning creative agency Highdive today announced that industry veteran, Jen Passaniti, has been named President of 1986 Studio, the agency’s in-house production arm, which saw a top line growth of 117% in 2023. She will also continue to serve as Head of Production for Highdive. Passaniti is charged with overseeing the strategic vision for 1986 and leading all aspects of production at Highdive. 

“We couldn’t be more proud of the way Jen has led 1986 to great growth and creative output. Jen’s creativity and business know-how can be seen in everything from our award-winning Super Bowl commercials to our scrappy social media content for clients,” said Megan Lally, CEO of Highdive. “Under her leadership the last four years, 1986 has added talent from renowned shops such as The Mill, doubled in size and is on track for another 50% growth this year.” 

Passaniti is a two-time Emmy-nominated producer and has been honored with numerous industry accolades, including AdAge’s 2023 Head of Agency Production of the Year and being named one of AdAge’s Leading Women in 2021. 

“The decision to name Jen as president of 1986 was due to the increasing client demand for faster, more efficient production and an increased appetite for in-house capabilities and AI integration,” said Chad Broude, Co-Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Highdive. “Jen is a true visionary when it comes to leveraging the latest tech and tools to increase efficiency for our clients’ productions. She has played a key role in integrating smart AI tools into our processes, which allows us to deliver work with greater speed and precision, all while maintaining our high creative standards.” 

Passaniti is actively engaged in mentorship organizations within the advertising community and is especially proud of her involvement in the Commercial Director Diversity Program, a program that supports underrepresented talent through mentorship and real-life opportunities. She also participates in AdAge’s The List initiative as Mentor in the Generation Next Mentorship program. 

“It has been such an honor to watch the 1986 team grow and take on new work that is pushing the boundaries when it comes to commercial production,” said Passaniti. “With my expanded role at Highdive, I’m looking forward to continuing to create award-winning work that moves the needle for our clients and inserts them into relevant cultural conversations.” 

To learn more about Highdive and 1986, visit highdiveus.com

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