In 2009, Nathan Lusignan founded Point Blank Creative with his childhood friend Jorah Porteous. While the video production company has become successful, Lusignan said looking back on the initial phase he may have missed a step in the process of launching a corporate venture.
“Starting a video production business without a background in video or business,” he said. “Definitely a misstep, and a step.”
During the company’s first few years, Lusignan – who got his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of British Columbia in 2008 – wore many hats including managing director, leading sales, managing projects and writing almost all of Point Blank’s videos and campaigns. The company has since nabbed such clients as Destination Canada, Greenpeace and Metro Vancouver.
By 2015 Lusignan, who previously worked for the City of Vancouver leading the Civic Youth Strategy, concluded that Point Blank Creative needed to refocus its energy on delivering communication services to the social sector. One of Point Blank Creative’s campaigns features a retro video game stylized series of short clips for the BC Federation of Labour. In the clips, an animated Christy Clark traverses a single screen world much like Super Mario Bros., destroying jobs and collecting coins in the process. Lusignan said creating original videos like this requires a few things.
One of them is “recognizing a need or an opportunity and bringing the right group of people together around it,” he said.
“Also, surround yourself with people smarter than you, but always trust your instincts.”
Lusignan’s reworking of Point Blank Creative has allowed it to bring attention to such issues as abuse of call centre workers, help the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation secure a $2.2 billion commitment to transit funding from the provincial government and also work with the Alberta New Democratic Party to break fundraising records. The company also quadrupled revenue.
Birthplace:
Vancouver
Where you live now:
Vancouver (I did leave this city ... once)
Highest level of education:
BA in political science
Currently reading:
Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish
Currently listening to:
Sizzla
When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up:
Pavel Bure
Profession you would most like to try:
Hot sauce maker
Toughest business or professional decision:
Hiring and firing. Always
Advice you would give the younger you:
Be more direct during difficult conversations
What’s left to do:
Work less
Join us to celebrate the 2017 Forty under 40 Awards on January 23, 2018, at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For tickets and event info visit http://www.biv.com/events/40under40
