Michelle Ross, managing director and founding partner of Superprime, has been named chairperson of the 2026 AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the Commercial.
“The AICP Show Board of Governors couldn’t have made a better choice as chair for the 2026 installment of the AICP Show, especially for this moment in our industry,” said Matt Miller, president and CEO of AICP. “Michelle’s long association with innovative companies and award-winning work makes her a terrific leader of the army of committee members, judges and curators that bring the AICP Show into focus each year.”
Ross served on last year’s AICP Show Curatorial Committee. Ross noted that when Miller first approached her about being this year’s Show chairperson, she laughed. “I thought, ‘Who the hell wants to put me in charge?’ I was shocked, but wow, what an honor.”
Ross teamed with executive producer Rebecca Skinner to launch Superprime, the 10-year-old production company which recently expanded beyond its Los Angeles headquarters to launch offices in London and Paris. Superprime prides itself on creating unique filmmaking experiences for agencies and brands around the world. Its work has been recognized by AICP and Cannes Lions. The internationally acclaimed production house represents directors including Damien Chazelle, Jon M. Chu, Yorgos Lanthimos, Josh Safdie, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Martin Scorsese for work in the advertising and marketing space.
Ross’ career growth has been an exercise in tenacity. Her journey in advertising began in Hollywood as a receptionist at the venerable HKM Productions, before transitioning to a sales role at Partizan. She joined HSI Productions in 2002 as a junior sales representative, rising through the ranks to become head of sales and eventually a partner before launching Superprime in 2015.
“I feel fortunate to have this role at a time when change has been at the forefront of our business for the last couple of years,” Ross added. “We can see it in the new work that’s coming out, and how excited those in our industry are to celebrate work again. There has been quite a bit of fear, and I think the AICP has made the proper adjustments and has laid a strong foundation in navigating these changes. I personally have never been one to shy away from change. Evolving is how you stay relevant.”
AICP Show Curatorial Committee
As chairperson of the AICP Show, Ross is tasked with assembling a Curatorial Committee, which will determine appropriateness to each respective category and the final disposition of the winners of the AICP Show, and select Best of Show–the winner of the Advertising Excellence category. Ross’ panel, which includes experts from across all categories and disciplines of the industry, reflects her long-standing role within the AICP and the commercial production community at large.
“I think it’s so smart to have a new chairperson for the show every year, it brings different relationships and perspectives every time,” Ross said. “Having essentially grown up in this business, I have been lucky to form some truly amazing friendships all over the world with people who are now running their own companies, departments, and brands. When you get the right mix of people with different points of view, the work that truly rises to the top is the work that deserves to, and that’s the goal.”
Ross added, “When it comes to putting together the Curatorial Committee, I’m looking for people with strong opinions who aren’t afraid to speak up. Last year, I was lucky enough to be a curator, and it was so fun having discussions with some of the brightest minds and true experts in their profession. The room only works when everyone actually cares, and last year reminded me how fun that can be.”
In addition to Ross, the 2026 AICP Show Curatorial Committee includes: Chris Bellinger, chief creative officer, PepsiCo Foods US; Luke Colson, head Of creative partnerships, Untold Studios; Melissa Culligan, executive producer/owner, Epoch Films; Jérôme Denis, CEO/executive producer, LAPAC; Geoff Edwards, managing director, creative, GALE; Matt Factor, founding partner, Skunk; Wendell Hanes, CEO/composer, Volition Sound; Charlie Harvey, partner and editor, Work Editorial; Marie Hyon, co-founder/director, PSYOP; Diane Jackson-Toth, managing director, X-15; Zoe Kessler, executive creative director; Brendan Malloy, director, Superprime; Lisa Mehling, owner/president, Chelsea; Vic Palumbo, SVP, executive producer/head of Salesforce Studios; Alberto Ponte, co-founder and chief creative officer, Someplace; Jaime Robinson, co-founder and chief creative officer, JOAN Creative; Lora Schulson, global chief production officer, 72andSunny; Rebecca Skinner, managing director/executive producer, Superprime; Liz Taylor, global chief creative officer, Ogilvy; Morgan Visconti, creative director/composer, Human; Mal Ward, managing director/partner, Arts & Sciences; Colleen Wellman, director of video production, Apple; Bradford Young, cinematographer; and Lawrence Young, editor, Cosmo Street Editorial.
The AICP Show is one of the industry’s leading creative and executional benchmarks and serves as more than a mere awards show. Each year, The AICP Show, The AICP Next Awards, and the AICP Post Awards are preserved in The Museum of Modern Art’s Department of Film’s state-of-the-art archives for future generations to study and are available for use or exhibition by the museum’s curators.
