MEDIA

MEDIA INNOVATOR

LAD MAKINDE

ASELF-DESCRIBED “multipotentialite,” Lad Makinde is driven by the desire to connect people through storytelling. He is a creative director, filmmaker and marketing executive with more than 15 years of experience leading teams and serving some of the world’s most notable brands. He is cofounder of Phoenix-based Web3 media company, Co-Media, and the VP of Phoenix-based outdoor startup, Tru Flask.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

To me, being an innovator is about being curious. A curious mind leads to questions, which typically serve as the starting point on the journey to solving problems, both great and small. •

www.co-media.co, @co__media, www.truflask.com, @truflask

LAD’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

DIANA BRANDT Influencer Diana Brandt—also known as Arizona Foodie— began sharing food photos in 2014 as a way to create a community around food locales. As she began her journey, Brandt had a goal to help support the food industry and to try to shine a spotlight on all the amazing things happening in town. She had no idea that taking pictures of food and posting on social media would lead to it being a career. Since Arizona Foodie was whipped up, Brandt has been able to create her own event, Smoked, host the podcast “Social Dysmorphia” and even launch her own coffee line, Brew’d. www.arizonafoodiemag.com, @azfoodie DORRELL EDWARDS Always Timeless Productions Dorrell Edwards is the founder and CEO of Always Timeless Productions, where he specializes in photography, videography and music production. Edwards has been behind the lens for a decade-plus in a career in which he has been blessed to work with everyday individuals, major brands and celebrities. His goal is to expand his company in a capacity that impacts his community in a positive manner, leaving an indelible mark on each individual he encounters while making each memory timeless. www.alwaystimelessproductions.com, @alwaystimelessprd

O’SHEA TOMETI Photographer & Creative Director O’Shea Tometi is the photographer and creative director for Shoutheory Collaborative Group. Born and raised in Phoenix, Tometi has employed his camera to capture authentic moments and create content for more than seven years. His expertise includes, but is not limited to family portraits, couples, weddings, maternity photos, brands, headshots and senior photos. @okoshea

ANEBI AGBO Eikon Labs Anebi Agbo is the founder and chief strategist of Eikon Labs, a full-service web design consultancy that helps brands come to life through custom Webflow websites, UI/UX design and marketing. www.eikonlabs.com DABI ADEYEMI Co-Media Adeyemi is co-founder of Co-Media, a media collective and collaboration network, with Lad Makinde. “We believe in stories,” says Adeyemi. “We believe stories are the thread that tie the entire world together, the driver for everything we do. And we use our passion for storytelling to produce original film and TV content and create new startups, all centered around community. Our current projects are #Afterthehashtag (film), Phoenicians Getting Food (online video series), Musicshed (startup) and The Goat Is A Lamb (startup).” www.co-media.co, @co__media