CREATIVE DESIGN INNOVATOR & LEADER

Uniquely versatile, multi-disciplinary creative design professional. Known for developing award-winning integrated campaigns merging technology, entertainment and culture. A creative doer and conceptual thinker with deep roots in pop culture and music, advertising, branding, digital media, animation, storytelling and event production. Takes a positive approach in developing and exploring big ideas for clients, weaving words and images into powerful narratives to reach the right people. Fun fact: The term “Webisode” was coined to promote his cult web series The 7th Portal.

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New York born, raised in London and Cape Town, Stagg began his career at Ogilvy Advertising as a Jr Art Director. He made an immediate mark with innovative campaigns for VW, Audi, Winston and Shell, mastering the fundamental design disciplines and principles of color, composition and typography. Armed with these new skills and a fascination with hip hop and house music, he became an early cultural entrepreneur, creating large-scale, socially diverse experiential music events and clubs, including Eden, Uforia and World Peace Party 1990. His efforts helped lay the foundation for hip hop and rave culture in Apartheid South Africa, which has grown into an important cultural and economic force worldwide.  

Next, Stagg enjoyed success in the U.S. as Art Director and Department Head/Creative Services Head for Turner Group, Disney Interactive, Viacom, and CBS, where he created and led successful integrated campaigns for national brands in digital, broadcast and print media. From the big idea to the small detail, Jesse is laser focused. His campaigns at Cartoon Network Studios established a design direction that helped define the look of the network, giving rise to the Cartoon Cartoon! hit-factory. Stagg’s launch campaigns for Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken and other Emmy-winning shows, ushered in a new generation of animation superstars. He also designed album sites for Disney films – Lion King, Toy Story, Austen Powers, Monday Night Football – and band sites for diverse Hollywood Records artists Queen, Leeann Rhimes and Insane Clown Posse.

At Viacom/Paramount, Stagg developed a new global brand identity for the Star Trek universe and pioneered the first major franchise digital style guide. He also managed creative for all licensed properties, including Top Gun, Twilight Zone, The Godfather, Hawaii 5-0 and Mighty Mouse. At CBS/Infinity Radio Stagg spearheaded creation of all websites in major markets for KROQ, LIVE105, KCBS and others and received multiple awards and nominations, including the RTDNA Edward R Murrow prize. Stagg’s promotional initiatives -- including a web presence for The Howard Stern Show and Loveline with Dr. Drew, as well as the initial digital campaign for Coachella, including web chats with Morrissey, Moby and numerous other artists – helped stations achieve a weekly audience of approximately eighty (80) million.

Stagg created the cartoon/cult web series The 7th Portal, produced by Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee. The show -- about virtual reality super heroes called the Cybernauts -- broke viewing records online and was the first Webisode series to be broadcast internationally on Fox Networks, reaching 65 million viewers. It then became a successful 3D motion ride at Paramount Parks and 40 other venues worldwide. The term “Webisode” was coined because of this show.

Stagg brings his experience and innovations in art, music and culture into his work as a designer, writer, producer, speaker, consultant, council chair, creator and curator. Stagg has been interviewed by VICE, Tech TV and the Los Angeles Times and his projects have been covered by the Wall Street Journal, TIME, CNN, Variety and Hollywood Reporter. Stagg was communications chair for the Graphic Arts Council of LA County Museum of Art — during his tenure, membership tripled, he commissioned new works by top artists and helped conceive and launch “Into the Pixel,” the first video game art awards. Stagg was consultant on Banksy’s record-breaking Barely Legal Show and produced Leonardo DiCaprio’s millennium celebration, which the NY Post described as “the greatest Hollywood party in living memory.” He recently conceived and produced the 10-Story Nelson Mandela Mural painted by Shepard Fairey to commemorate the 20th anniversary of democracy in South Africa.

Stagg has lectured as media arts instructor at UCLA D/MA, CalState LA and AFDA.