MORE, PLEASE & THANKS!
Shot by Christopher Paschal
Words by Kelly Plourde
Trendsetter. Innovator. Vanguard. All words that are synonymous with the award-winning director, creative director and photographer, Derek Blanks. His vision and outside the box thinking has always been his trademark, directing projects for artists like Ciara, Missy Elliott, Kandi Buruss, Monica, Kelly Rowland, TLC, CeCe Winans, Mary J. Blige, Cynthia Bailey and T-Pain to name a few as well as spearheading magazine shoots for global editorial brands like Essence and Health Magazine.
He’s directed campaigns for The Real Housewives franchises most recently including the Atlanta and New York casts. His “Alter Ego'' photo and video concept inspired multiple generations and continues to be not only in demand by Derek’s clients, but also the global content creator community.
In the summer of 2023, he landed a historical diversity campaign with Jeep, the first of its kind, and a first for Blanks. The list goes on and on but as he passionately told us, “I’m humble and blessed to have experienced these opportunities to use and grow my talents, but I love it so much and I always want more; especially campaign and creative director jobs because those processes excite me the most!”
“I’m excited, it feels unbelievable and unreal, I can’t wait to see what the future holds with them”
-Derek Blanks
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“High fashion didn’t always see me and my community, but I’ve witnessed great progress in the fashion industry throughout my career and I love storytelling with fashion, so I’m excited about intentionally working with more fashion brands.”
-Derek Blanks
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As a director, photographer and creative director, Derek is truly a jack of all trades, a renaissance man of the creative world. Derek’s social media presence is always on point, his imagination unmatched, and teaming up with a company like Jeep can only lift him further into the stratosphere.
When asked what’s next for him, he told us to “I’m going to be putting my spin on current events and pop culture, staying creative, and keeping people guessing, so just stay tuned!”
A HUGE & SPECIAL THANKS TO MORE FOLKS yo͞o SHo͝od nō
THE CREDITS:
Starring: Derek Blanks, @MrDBlanks
Photographer: Christopher Paschal, @J.PaschalPhoto
Executive Producer: EJ Jamele, @EJ_Jamele
Co-Executive Producers: Lee Palazzo & Tracy Becker, @Lee_Palazzo & @TrakyBecker15
Executive Production: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT
Words: Kelly Plourde, @Kelly_In_CT
Wardrobe Stylist: Jose Quervo, @JoseQuervoMusic
Grooming: Tahir Woods, @TheTahirWoods
BTS Capture: Micheal B. Summers, @RLX_4K
Production Assistants: Jeffery Matthews & Jennifer Anyla, @Jeffery.Jpeg @FrenchKiss4You
Graphics: Derek Blanks & crowdMGMT, @MrDBlanks, @crowdMGMT
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