We recruit figure-it-outers. Fighters. People who just can’t settle for an average creative project or a job that has meaningful moments from time to time. Those who will burn the midnight oil to do what’s right—not just for a client, but for the world.

Sometimes doing this work takes everything you have, inside and out, but these four people never settle—they push, push, push. And now, they’re moving into roles that will give them even more power to make an impact. Here’s to Jo, Jess, Adam and Roz—four of the most committed creatives we know.

Jo Skillman, Creative Director 
Aseven-year veteran at Black Sheep, Jo initially joined the flock as a freelance graphic designer and later made her mark as our fearless Art Director. With powerful moments at Black Sheep that include designing a building in Times Squarefor Mrs. Obama and Better Make Room, writing for Forbes Magazine and building logos worn by celebrities and world-changers alike for clients like The Women’s Conference and BakerRipley, Jo excels at creating meaningful brands that push movements forward.

Jess Craft, Managing Director 
In the dictionary under the word “process”, you’ll find a photo of Jess’ face. After seven years as Director of Operations, Jess takes yet another step in keeping the Black Sheep crew in line. The magic that our teams create often starts with her, helping our team manage hundreds of active project pieces in any given week and building national relationships to make things happen with folks like the Creative Alliance, the CW Network and Better Make Room. Jess is a connector and a make-it-happen-er who does it all with pleasant, inspiring tenacity.

Adam Smith, Director of Operations 
After five years as Chief Utility Officer and Head of Culture, Adam has put his stamp of cool and community collaboration on our company that is hard to miss. Adam runs our accounting and administration, acts as the front line for new business and takes the lead on keeping the Black Sheep spirit alive. He tirelessly champions our company B-Corp status, builds the creative environment that keeps us going and keeps us connected to the community—whether it’s getting us out into the city or bringing causes into our office.

Roslynn Velasquez, Account Director 
Three years have flown by with Roz leading our brand management team as a Senior Brand Manager. Roz has helped to shape a better Houston (and world!) with her grassroots work in healthcare, education, public spaces and child welfare. From leading the Butterfly Project strategy with a shining moment at the United Nations to diving into her current work with the Houston Parks Board to reinvigorate our city’s connection to green spaces, Roz’s fingerprints are all over some of our most impactful community-driven work and we’re the better for it.

Now, back to business—it’s time to change the world together.

Four Black Sheep move up making this a real “Promoted Post”

When it comes to our agency, we don’t beat around the bush about how important the people are.

Regular

One of my favorite parts of this month are haunted houses and especially horror movies.  I even create an annual Halloween horror movie marathon list. If I’m being honest, horror movies are a big part of my life year-around. Ask me sometime how classic 70s Italian horror is why my now-husband and I hit it off.

As someone who is risk-averse, prefers to be in control and is Type-A with a dash of anxiety, how could I possibly love horror? I’m willingly subjecting myself to visual, auditory and psychological trauma.

The answer is simple and possibly unexpected. It’s therapeutic.

When I watch a horror movie or walk through a haunted house, I’m able to experience fear in a controlled setting. I’m able be anxious about something right in front of me not imagined or living in my head. And after the catharsis and adrenaline, it makes my imagined anxieties seem a little less palpable.

And if you’re thinking “oh hell, no,” I’m not alone. Danish researcher Dr. Mathias Clasen has actually focused his research on this phenomenon and the enjoyable nature of horror.

“Exposure to horror films can be gratifying when the negative emotions caused by the film are manageable.”  Moreover, there’s psychological distance when we watch a horror film. We know it’s not real—or at least, some parts of our brain know it isn’t real. Other parts—ancient structures located in the limbic system—respond as though it were real. The genre allows us to voluntarily—and under controlled circumstances—get experience with negative emotion.”

So if you’re feeling a little anxious today, consider spending some time with Pinhead, Freddy or Jason. And if you want a little taste of my medication, here are clips from three of my favorite horror films.

Suspiria favourite clip

Hereditary (2018) - *Creepy scene* High quality *1080p*

Halloween is Wednesday, which means we’ve had an almost full month of haunted houses, grinning jack-o-lanterns, an unwanted proliferation of candy corn and horror movies.

Horror is where the heart is