Celebrating a Decade of Creativity: Chrome City Creative Studio's Journey
As Chrome City Creative Studio commemorates its remarkable 10-year anniversary milestone, we reflect on a decade filled with creativity, innovation, and transformative collaborations. From our humble beginnings in 2014 after our visionary CEO and Founder Alex Ott decided to pave her own career in the PR realm by establishing Chrome City, to our current status as a leading creative force in San Diego, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Courtesy of Christian Blake
Year 0 (2014): With a vision to redefine the creative landscape, our founder and CEO Alex Ott launched Chrome City Creative Studio in, marking the beginning of our journey. Securing our first office in the vibrant West Loop of Chicago at 1133 W. Madison, we set out to make our mark in the industry.
Year 1 (2015): The growth trajectory began as we welcomed Anthony Ott as our Director of Operations and appointed Christy Lopez as our Creative Director. These key appointments laid the foundation for our team's expansion and creative direction.
Year 2 (2016): Strategic planning and client relations took center stage with the addition of Kira Jones to our team. We meticulously crafted our brand image and hosted a spectacular 2-year anniversary party at Morgan’s on Fulton, showcasing our commitment to building the creative fabric of Chicago’s food and art world.
Year 3 (2017): Signing with Bonhomme Hospitality marked a significant milestone as we ventured into new realms of creativity. Our production of the sold-out Fashion Show "Style of Sound" and PR work for renowned Chicago artist collective, Canvas, underscored our growing influence in the industry.
Year 4 (2018): Innovation remained at the forefront as we embarked on filming reality mini-series "PR Girl," a testament to our fearless approach to creative storytelling. Chrome City California was launched later that year, a milestone that would mark a milestone in our diversifying experiences in San Diego.
Year 5 (2019): We signed and worked with Creative Director, Emily Dahlquist, on the captivating pop-up experience preview for WOMANish, showcasing our ability to create immersive brand encounters that captivate audiences with a multi-faceted speaking series. We made the tough decision to close the Chicago office so we could focus on West Coast growth. With that, came the birth of The Blank Table, our underground dinner series.
Year 6 (2020): Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Chrome City persevered (albeit, a one man show). Our partnership with Bestowal Gifts kept our creative flame burning amidst uncertainty, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
Year 7 (2021): Emerging from the fog of 2020, we ventured into new territories with Jillian Ziska, paving the way for our expansion into the vibrant San Diego market. Collaborations flourished as we continued to push creative boundaries.
Year 8 (2022): Signing Chicago-based WNDR Museum for their San Diego opening and collaborating with our dear friend KFISH exemplified our commitment to innovation, creativity and San Diego as an art-centric city. Our work with WNDR Museum also highlighted our ability to craft experiences for an array of audiences including city politicians, artists, influencers and decision makers alike. We also moved into our Hillcrest HQ and built our San Diego power team with Jenna Harter and Julissa Muro.
Year 9 (2023): Our best year yet. This is the year where we fully realized our dream of partnering with Be Saha Hospitality. Collaborating with founder Amar Harrag, we shaped transformative brand encounters at esteemed destinations like Wormwood, Botanica, and Tahona, showcasing our ability to create unforgettable experiences. Additionally, we caught the attention of famed designer and builder, Paul Basile and signed with Basile Studio, famous for their designs of spaces such as Born and Raised, Morning Glory, Cowboy Star and many more.
Year 10 (2024): Now, flourishing in the sun-kissed embrace of San Diego, Chrome City Creative Studio stands as a testament to the power of dreams and determination. We have become synonymous with innovation and excellence, representing the crème de la crème of designers and hospitality experts. Together, we've crafted wild, unforgettable experiences that resonate deeply with the soul of San Diego, weaving our clients' visions into the very heartbeat of the city.
From our humble beginnings in the Windy City, Chrome City has lived many lives, each more vivid and enriching than the last. Our path has been anything but linear, marked by highs that taught us the boundless potential of collaboration and creativity, and lows that tested our resilience and resolve. Yet, it is in these oscillating waves of experiences that we've found our true essence, our unwavering spirit that today, positions us in the best place we've ever been.
As we celebrate this momentous milestone, our hearts are filled with gratitude and our eyes set firmly on the horizon. The past ten years have been an extraordinary voyage of discovery and growth, but we believe the best is yet to come. With the same fervor and commitment that marked our inception, we look forward to continuing to create, to inspire, and to make dreams tangible realities.
Here's to the past that shaped us, the present that holds us, and the future that awaits us. Here's to the countless memories we've created and the myriad more we will craft. Here's to Chrome City Creative Studio - may our next decade be as transformative, exhilarating, and fulfilling as our first.