Mojo Pictures is an omnichannel creative, production, and consulting services company founded in 2007 by Maurice James…
…but words are cheap, it’s better to check out the work…
Case Study: Soul of the South TV
As a co-founder of a new broadcast/cable TV network, Soul of the South, Maurice served as the creative head for programming, branding and production. With the scarce resources of a startup, Maurice developed innovative solutions to create content and expand distribution. For example, we were one of the first TV networks to create a content sharing partnership with a YouTube Channel, BlackTree TV, maximizing the power of both linear TV advertising power and infrastructure with digital network's reach and potential growth.
Case Study: Face Forward
Charged with developing a slate of digital content for NBCU, Maurice led NBCU's Digital Lab and coordinated with our Snapchat partners to create, develop, and pilot, Face Forward, a new and irreverent evolution on the traditional makeover show. Averaging over 5 million views within 48 hours per episode, Face Forward went on to become one of the most popular shows on Snapchat. With its successful Abercrombie & Fitch brand integration, Face Forward drove a 4.5% lift in purchase intent and 40K people into stores...and it even earned a 2018 Webby Award!
Case Study: Launching NBCU Digital Lab
NBCU wanted an internal studio that would create a pipeline of cost-effective premium digital content to monetize against emerging platforms--the result: NBCU's Digital Content Lab. From staffing, to creative development, to production workflow, to sales/client coordination, to biz dev and legal strategy, we drove the creation of the Lab. The Lab quickly became the largest supplier of content for Snapchat, generating revenue within its first year, and quickly emerged as a center for excellence for premium digital content across NBCU's cable and digital enterprise divisions.
Case Study: TIJAT Digital Expansion
While at acclaimed TV/film production company This is Just a Test, we authored an expansion into premium digital content. By integrating existing creative and production workflows, and opening relationships with new clients like Microsoft, ComicCon, and Discovery VR, we created new digital first opportunities that both enhanced our existing linear offerings, and also generated new revenue streams for the company.
Truth is stranger than Fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.
Mark Twain
Maurice James is a 20+ year veteran producer, digital media executive, and entrepreneur passionate about diverse storytelling across established and emerging platforms. Currently, Maurice is the Head of Strategy and Development for the Los Angeles Times Studios helping transform the storied newspaper into a media brand reaching new audiences across film, tv, podcasts and digital platforms. Prior to that, Maurice has served as Head of Current Production for NBCU Digital labs creating premium digital content for emerging platforms like Snapchat, Facebook and Musical.ly across NBCU’s cable and digital brands. Before NBCU, Maurice was the co-founder and Head of Content for Soul of the South, a national broadcast television network targeting minorities and southern culture, reaching more than 25MM cable households in over 30 US markets. He also served as VP of Digital Media for award-winning production company, This is Just a Test Media, where he led new creative and technical approaches in virtual reality and interactive storytelling with brand partners like DiscoveryVR and Microsoft.
With a specialty in digital strategy, creative development and production, Maurice has created award-winning content for platforms and brands like YouTube RED, Go90, TIME, Verizon/Hearst, ComicCon, AOL, Animal Planet, Colgate and KIA Motor Sports. He also has extensive experience with linear content having created, developed or produced projects for platforms like NBC, USA Networks, A&E Networks, BET, TLC, Discovery Channel, and SPEED Channel including dozens of hours of prime time programming, and award-winning feature documentaries. Maurice is a longtime volunteer and producer for United Friends of the Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of foster children.
Maurice graduated from Columbia University with a degree in A.I. Computer Science and also holds an MFA from the Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.