James McPherson is the Chief Production Officer of Townhouse North America. At Townhouse, he leads a robust company of integrated producers, content creators, music producers, audio engineers, business managers, casting agents, live action producers, and post production editors across North American offices.
James has established himself as an authentic creator, innovator, and leader with a powerhouse combination of creative vision, business insight, and financial acumen. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, James exemplifies the innovation and quality we can achieve when we embrace our differences rather than our similarities.
Clients and colleagues value James for his ability to lead teams to create cost-effective production solutions while maximizing the potential of ideas and production value across all platforms. A strategic problem solver, James embodies the collaborative maker mentality so critical for modern business content needs. Under his leadership, Townhouse has grown into a full-service, highly awarded production operation that services major global brands including Proctor & Gamble, Pfizer, and Volvo.
A native of Australia, James began his career in events and experiential production with the world-renowned luxury event company, The Admirable Crichton, where he managed a portfolio of clients that included Cartier, Tiffany, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Universal, and Paramount Pictures. Recognizing his passion was creating meaningful engagement through storytelling, James moved on to Baz Luhrmann’s production company, Bazmark Inc. There, he worked on the eight-time Academy Award-winning movie, Moulin Rouge.
Core to James’ work ethic is the drive for excellence and craft, and these convictions drove him to achieve numerous awards including Cannes Lions, Effies, and Clios, with his work being recognized by D&AD and the AICP. With a proven track record of supporting and creating opportunities for the historically underrepresented, James is known by the advertising and production community as a trailblazer on the issues of diversity, equality, and inclusion.
When he isn’t volunteering his free time with SAGE and NAC to serve the elderly and youth alike, James enjoys travel, the great outdoors, rock climbing, bicycling, hiking, and finding inspiration while indulging in film and engaging in home renovations.
“I've had the pleasure of working with James on and off for the past 8 years.
We've partnered on productions that took us around the world on huge budgets and we've also made magic rubbing nickles together on down and dirty productions that seemed impossible.
He's always connected us to the best talent and even once helped us figure out how to get a satellite into lower earth orbit for a pitch.
James brings the same attention to detail every project no matter how big or small.
James is always the calm voice in the room when the inevitable unexpected shows its face.
He's creative, charismatic, and never says we can't unless he has a better solution to bring to the table. I've watched him build an entire production department out. When I receive word that James will not be my producer, I always want to work with someone he mentored”.
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Lance Parish - Executive Creative Director, Grey New York.
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“James is a fierce defender of craft and the creative concept. He facilitates collaboration. He wields his keen instinct for strategy and business into results. And James fights for what he believes in — and his commitment to and conviction for equity and inclusion is helping to transform our industry”.
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Lisa Mehling, Owner, President, Chelsea Pictures.
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“James is one of the great producers of our industry. He knows good creative and how to make it. He can, and will pick up the phone and sort things out in a way that no one else can. He is a great manager - supportive of and educates his team, but also will personally step in when needed. He is a master negotiator - so you want him on your side. Finally, he is super charming, which goes a long way when you are working long hours, under pressure and need to smile every once in a while”.
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Janique Helson, Head of Brand Marketing, Content & Creative Services at Volvo Cars, USA.
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“For me best producers are true leaders and creative partners. They often not only pull off the impossible but also take it to a level that leaves it in a better place than where it started. James set this bar for me very early in my career and I have never wavered in how I see just how valuable a production partner can be”.
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Rob Lenois, Chief Creative Officer, Vayner Media, USA.
