Marc Strong is the founder and creative director of Wienot Films, an animation studio specializing in explainer videos for leading brands and institutions. With a background as an intelligence analyst, he brings an analytical lens to creative storytelling, helping organizations turn complex ideas into engaging visual narratives. Since founding Wienot Films in 2011, Marc has collaborated with organizations including Sesame Street, Gatorade, BlackRock, Mastercard, and Stanford, creating work that has earned numerous Telly Awards. Known for blending strategic clarity with playful, engaging visuals, he leads Wienot Films with a sharp creative eye and a belief in the power of storytelling.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

Judging for the Telly Awards is such an honor, but I’m most excited about diving into the amazing work coming out of the creative community. It’s always inspiring to see how filmmakers, animators, and agencies are pushing ideas in new directions. I love spotting clever storytelling, bold visuals, and fresh approaches. It’s like getting a front-row seat to the future of creative content.

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

I got into this business in an unusual way. Even back in high school, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak, but after graduate school I worked as an intelligence analyst, writing for policymakers all the way up to the President. It was fascinating work, but I realized I came alive when working on creative projects. Eventually, I started exploring explainer videos, taking film and animation classes, and making videos of my own. I started Wienot Films as a side project, but eventually I took the leap to go full time. It was scary, especially with a family to support, but it taught me the value of moving forward even when you don’t have everything figured out and learning as you go. It remains one of the best—and scariest—decisions I’ve made.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

That’s a tough one, but I’m especially proud of a couple of videos we created on the disinformation threat facing the U.S. and the wider democratic world. They were nonpartisan projects that made the topic accessible to a wide audience, and for me, they brought together my past work as an intelligence analyst with my passion for animation and storytelling. The videos have reached important audiences and even won several Telly Awards, which is incredibly rewarding. It’s fulfilling to combine my background in national security and international relations with the creative work I do today. I jump at any opportunity to create similar work—it feels critical for our country, which is why it’s so meaningful to me.

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

One of the biggest challenges of my job is coming up with truly novel creative ideas. It takes focus, effort, and a willingness to take risks. On top of that, working with a variety of clients means balancing creativity with diplomacy. My role is part storytelling and part relationship management. I want clients to feel heard and confident in our process, but at times I also must gently push them when it serves the goals of the project. They hire us as the experts, so it’s about helping them think through the impact of creative choices while delivering work that surprises and delights.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, video excellence is a combination of heart and craft. First and foremost, does the work move me emotionally? A video that can make me feel something—whether it’s joy, curiosity, or even a little unease—is doing its job. At the same time, I’m paying close attention to the craft. Are the shots thoughtfully composed? Does every choice in design, pacing, and editing serve the story? When a story is executed with both precision and emotional resonance, that’s when it hits a home run.

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

I’m the creative director at Wienot Films, where I lead our core creative team alongside our art director and animation director. We help clients tell their stories and explain their products, services, and ideas in ways that are clear, concise, and fun. Since our medium is animated explainer videos, the possibilities are limitless. One day we might be breaking down a new technology, the next we’re creating a training video inspired by Ted Lasso or Mario Kart, or even exploring topics like disinformation or AI. I love the variety. The range of projects and subjects keeps every day interesting and creatively fresh.

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

I’m excited about so many of our current projects. One of our regular clients loves to create content that stands out, often drawing on pop culture films and shows to make ideas fun and engaging. It’s a blast to be given clear goals while having the freedom to develop creative concepts that truly shine. We’re also working with Stanford on videos that educate the public on a range of important projects. Creating content that informs and inspires is such an honor and a passion of mine. On top of that, we recently partnered with a startup developing cutting-edge technology that’s bringing clean energy solutions to industry. I love working with companies that are making the world better and getting to be a part of helping them amplify their message. The variety of topics, range of clients, and opportunity to tackle such different challenges keeps every day fresh and inspiring. And working on content that matters is what really gives me purpose.

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

When I need to spark creativity, I’ll often start by slowing down. My mind is never as inventive when I feel rushed or overly stressed. I also like to get outside, move my body, and simply observe the world around me. Noticing the beauty of the world helps me relax, which is conducive to creative thinking. I also like to change up my surroundings. Sometimes I’ll go outside and work alone, with the birds chirping in the background. Other times, I’ll work in a busy space to soak in the human energy. Creativity is about tuning in, so I try to listen to what my body needs in that moment.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I realized I was happiest and in my flow state when I was creating videos. Hours felt like minutes. I loved turning ideas into something visual and engaging. My mom’s simple but powerful question, “Why not?!” stuck with me and gave me the inspiration to eventually take the leap. Over time, it became clear that I wanted a career that could merge my analytical and creative sides, and that’s what led me to start Wienot Films. Life is short, why not live your dreams?

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 biggest changes I’m seeing in video, television, and film is how AI is being incorporated into the production process. We’re seeing it in scriptwriting, visual creation, and animation tools. Right now, the tools are still imperfect, but they’re improving all the time. I don’t see AI fully replacing humans. Instead, I see it as a way to help us create more content, experiment faster, and test ideas more easily. True creative magic still requires human insight, and the best results come when AI capabilities are combined with expertise. Just as digital filmmaking and other technological advances have expanded what’s possible over the years, I hope AI will open up new creative possibilities—without replacing the need for the human touch.