Allan is the co-founder of KAOH media, a public relations and public affairs agency that drives targeted, meaningful engagement via data-driven communications. Allan’s expertise in advocacy and public outreach has landed clients in a variety of industries ranging from pharma to renewable energy, to law firms, real estate, non-profits and tech start-ups.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

I’m thrilled to join a panel of judges for the Telly Awards! Reviewing such a wide range of work from creative professionals around the world displays how powerful visual storytelling can be in shaping perception and driving impact.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job in the industry was founding a digital advertising agency. It taught me the value of hard work and perseverance — and just as importantly, the humility to recognize what I’m not great at. That experience showed me how essential it is to build strong teams, delegate wisely, and create space for others’ strengths to shine.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

I’m most proud of the collective impact of our work — knowing that the projects we support ultimately contribute to cleaner air, cleaner water, and meaningful action against climate change. Every campaign, message, and community partnership we help shape plays a small but vital role in moving the world toward a more sustainable future. That sense of purpose and real-world impact is what makes me proud every day.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

The most challenging part of my job — and the industry as a whole — is navigating the intersection of innovation and perception. In sectors like clean energy and infrastructure, even the most transformative projects can face skepticism or resistance at the local level. Balancing technical progress with public understanding requires patience, empathy, and constant communication. It’s a challenge, but also what makes the work so meaningful — turning complex ideas into stories people can trust and support.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

An excellent video is clear, concise, and compelling — it captures attention immediately, communicates its message without clutter or confusion, and leaves a lasting emotional or intellectual impression.

In short: Clarity earns understanding, concision earns trust, and compelling storytelling earns connection — the hallmark of an excellent video.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

As Chief Growth Officer, my role bridges strategy, creativity, and relationships. I’m responsible for driving business development, building partnerships, and shaping the vision for how our agency expands its impact across the clean energy, infrastructure, and public affairs sectors. That means everything from identifying new opportunities and guiding brand positioning, to helping our teams craft narratives that turn complex projects into stories people believe in.

What I love most about my job is the blend of purpose and possibility — turning bold ideas into momentum. I get to connect with passionate people, align missions with markets, and watch our work open doors for projects that genuinely move communities and industries forward. Growth, to me, isn’t just about revenue; it’s about resonance — helping great work find its audience and its purpose.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Right now, I’m most excited about diversifying our portfolio and expanding our client base across new sectors and regions. We’re building on our strong foundation in clean energy and infrastructure by taking on projects that align with innovation, sustainability, and long-term community impact. It’s energizing to see our team’s expertise in strategy and storytelling resonate with a wider range of partners — from developers and investors to local stakeholders — all united by a shared goal of creating meaningful progress.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

Collaboration is my go-to practice for sparking creativity. I’ve learned that the best ideas rarely come from one person working in isolation — they emerge from open, curious conversations where everyone feels free to contribute. As Rick Rubin says, collaboration isn’t about pushing your own idea forward; it’s about sharing thoughts and perspectives to uncover the best idea together. I try to create spaces where creativity feels collective, not competitive — where every voice adds texture, and the outcome is stronger because it’s truly shared.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I was inspired by the belief that you can do well by doing good — that business success and positive impact don’t have to be at odds. I’ve always been drawn to work that creates real value for both clients and communities, and that sense of purpose continues to drive me. Building a career at the intersection of communication, strategy, and social impact allows me to help organizations thrive while contributing to something larger than profit — a cleaner, more connected, and more sustainable future.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

One of the most significant changes shaping the video and content industry today is the shrinking attention span of audiences combined with an overwhelming number of channels competing for their time. Viewers are flooded with content every second — from streaming platforms to social feeds — and they decide within moments whether something is worth watching.

In this environment, success comes from being authentic, intentional, and emotionally resonant. People crave truth and connection more than polish. The challenge — and opportunity — is to distill complex messages into stories that are clear, concise, and compelling, while staying human at the core. Those who can marry brevity with authenticity will continue to earn both attention and trust in an increasingly noisy world.