Today we are talking with Rob Schlissel a Senior Producer at Empire Entertainment. Empire Entertainment is a New York City and Tokyo based event and entertainment company. Today we go backstage with Rob, and learn a thing or two about creating something awesome while still achieving work life balance. 

Some projects that Rob has worked on include The Shorty Awards, The Webby Awards, Time 100 Gala, Keep a Child Alive Black Ball, and Charity Water’s Annual Charity Ball. Rob and Empire work on all types of events and productions including the AJWS Judd Apatow public Service announcement video from 2010. They brought together over 20 celebrities and made this entertaining video. This video came about organically, but using the power of celebrity and humor went viral. Being involved with a production company like Empire has it’s perks. Because Empire was working with Jerry Seinfeld on another project, they were able to get him to be in the AJWS video.  

Topics discussed today include: 

• Empire Entertainment and the AJWS Judd Apatow Video 
• Mapping out event objectives: why, message, and who. Then design, layout, and budget. 
• Defining the strategy and creating an event for Charity Water 
• Recreating an experience is a subtle but effective way for brand messaging 
• Friday Night Lights Shabbat Dinners 
• Think outside the box when creating an effective event on a budget 
• Rob’s hacks for maintaining a work life balance and Shabbat 
• Outside of work Rob does activities just for him like skeeball and improv 
• Rob’s favorite Internet resource is Google 

It was great talking with Rob. If anyone would like to join me for a coffee date email me at [email protected] 

 Links and Resources: 

 

Empire Entertainment 

 

The Shorty Awards 

 

The Webby Awards 

 

Time 100 Gala 

 

Keep a Child Alive Black Ball 

 

Charity Water Annual Ball 

 

American Jewish World Service 

 

American Jewish World Service Judd Apatow Video 

 

Friday Night Lights 

 

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh 

 

Quotes: 

 

“The shorter the message the more impact it has and the better.” Rob 

 

“You’re messaging in a very subtle way, but a very tangible way to life” Rob 

 

“Think about what your mission is and how you can bring that to life” Rob 

 

To connect with Elissa, send her an email at [email protected]