Kim Lara-King, an accomplished Executive Producer, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with her extraordinary talent. From a young age, Kim dreamt of pursuing a career in film. However, she could not pursue formal education in the field due to financial constraints. Undeterred by the obstacles, she decided to turn her dreams into reality.
After graduating high school, Kim started her first job as a Front Office/Data-capturer for an IT Training Centre. Not wanting to give up on her dream, she continued to search for alternative opportunities. At 19yrs of age, Kim discovered a job opportunity at Ogilvy & Mather, a world-renowned advertising agency. The position involved assisting the Head of Broadcast, Nicola Martin and her production department, as well as managing a vast library of commercials. Kim was offered the position the day after interviewing, but unfortunately was forced to decline the offer, due to her father’s disapproval.
Kim’s parents, having grown up during South Africa’s Apartheid era, had reservations about the film industry, considering it a domain reserved for others. Despite her father’s initial hesitation, fate intervened when the company Kim had been working for, went into liquidation just 3 weeks later, reaffirming her decision to pursue her passion. Without hesitation, she reached back out to Ogilvy & Mather, and to her delight, the position was still available, and she started the very next day. This marked the beginning of Kim’s career in advertising.
Over 13 years, Kim’s dedication and hard work propelled her to become a respected Television, Radio, and Stills Producer, working with some of the country’s leading advertising agencies, including BBDO and Young & Rubicam. Although proud of her accomplishments, Kim desired formal qualifications to advance her career.
In December 2012, as her work contract ended, Kim seized the opportunity to pursue further education. She applied to the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA) and her tenacity paid off when she was accepted. Through her resourcefulness, Kim obtained additional bursaries and donations that enabled her to study in the USA and embark on a new chapter in her career.
Following her studies at NYFA, Kim worked with esteemed companies such as Atlantic Records and Ralph Lauren, showcasing her exceptional skills in the industry. Her remarkable talent and achievements led to her being granted an O1 visa (Extraordinary Ability), opening doors to new opportunities. Kim continued to develop and further her skills in the US and Canadian Market and gained valuable experiences with companies like Serino Coyne, Unilever/Oliver Agency, Ogilvy/Hogarth, Rosewood, and TBWA Chiat Day LA. Kim has served on the global DEI board of directors at Oliver Agency from 2020-2021 and has been an adjudicator for CONNECTIONS by Le Book since 2021 and most recently the Ad Forums PHNX Awards.
Throughout her 24-year journey as a producer, Kim has garnered numerous international accolades, including prestigious awards from Cannes Lions, Clio, D&AD, The One Club, Webby, and Shorty. Notably, she produced the world’s first WhatsApp Drama campaign, “Uk’shona Kwelanga,” which received additional recognition at Cannes and The One Show and was featured in Contagious – Top 25 Campaign Of The Year.
Kim’s unique approach to production in how she evaluates each script, deliverables and project requirement, then tailors it accordingly, combined with her Line Producing, agency experience and creatively thinking outside of the box is what is known to set her apart from most “traditional agency producers”. The two decades of producing in commercials, content, music videos and documentaries in both South Africa & USA/Canada has given Kim an added advantage over most when scoping projects both locally and internationally, ensuring both agency & client get the best production approach and value for money for their projects.
Kim Lara-King’s remarkable career trajectory serves as an inspiration to aspiring filmmakers and individuals with big dreams. Her unwavering determination and creative prowess have set her apart as a force to be reckoned with in the advertising industry.
Check her website to learn more about Kim Lara-King’s exceptional work and achievements.
Media ContactContact Person: Kim-Lara KingEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimlaraking
