Hello Fellow Critics Choice Association Members,

~ ~The Short of it~ ~

My name is Derek Sante. For 19 years I’ve been a CCA member in good standing that has worked with members to make positive changes for our industry and association. My first year as a Board of Director has allowed me to make the inroads and changes that matter to our members. Keeping this seat will allow me to take this service to the next level and grow transparency in our shared goals. Moving forward, I will continue my service by creating invaluable opportunities and help to make the association and brand flourish in many different ways. If you’ve talked to me or looked at what I’ve done, I hope you see someone that takes this role seriously and is doing it for all of us, CCA Board is a “We”, not a “Me” position. 

~ ~The Long of it~ ~

Over the past year, I’ve been an ear and bouncing board to all members. Listening to your issues and talking out plans and goals. This year I am submitting myself for a seat with the Board of Directors. Helping fellow Critics and the CCA is my goal, but by no means has this been a new one for me.

Whether you are aware of it or not, I have been working to help members and the association for 19 years.

Some of the things I have helped create, institute and grow include:

·         Membership Empowerment: I am a Founding Member of this movement to provide you, the Critics, with tools you can use to succeed. Our topics vary, but our goal of empowerment and growth. I have proudly been a part of the technology, hosting, planning and conversation for every episode. This year, I listened to your grievances and issues and worked to provide the voices and specialists that matter most to you all.  

·         CCA Facebook Group: I established the CCA Member Facebook group and helped create its structure so CCA members could better share information, opportunities and issues. I am happy to see this forum be used daily and hope, like myself, it allows members to feel heard.

·         Film Festival Liasson: Leading the charge for members on the ground at film festivals, I have put the call out through the FB group and in newsletters to create a comprehensive list of members attending and covering these events. From there I actively shared it with studios, agencies and publicity leads to get our members invites and opportunities that might have passed them by. Whether in person or online, I’ve worked to connect our members to the studios and agencies on the ground that should take notice of CCA members.

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When it comes to my group involvement, I have worked hard to be part of the conversation and team to make CCA’s voice and brand shine.

·         Marketing & Promotion Committee: I have been an active member of the M&P committee since its inception. I have been working to build and spotlight CCA and its events for years.

·         Nominating Committees for Awards: It’s been my pleasure to be part of numerous nomination committees over the years. Giving my time and attention to help nominate the best options for CCA members to select.

·         Celebration of Latino Film & Television Awards: I worked to create grounded ideas and goals to grow this amazing show.

These are just a few of the key points highlighting my years of involvement and service to CCA and its members. I am open, available and ready to help.

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My goal going forward is to make things better for members and leadership. I have some of the most useful mix of skills needed for this position. I am a logistical person based in reality with extensive experience in Marketing, Promotions, Sales, Publicity and Technology.

My appointment to the board will help the following:

·         Member Information: I have been an ear for members this last year. Taking your issues to heart and bringing up your concerns for the present and the future of CCA. More transparency . We work in communications; we can always be better at this.

·         Member Opportunities: I will look for options to make being a member a more-positive and helpful experience. This is something I have been passionate about for many years. As we know, better access leads to more opportunities.

·         Sales and Sponsorship: This is an area that needs constant attention. Someone has to pay for our amazing events. My goal will be to expand this category, while still holding our professional journalistic integrity.

·         Marketing: This last year I’ve given ideas and thoughts that have helped CCA and its teams. I have high hopes for even more campaigns and partnerships going forward.

·         Technology: I have the skills and knowledge to use technology to give the association more options and better opportunities with events, structure, communication and day-to-day operations. In addition to my current video and audio production, I have an extensive background in website building and SEO tactics.

Always available for a call, text or an aside chat. My goal is to help everyone be better and feel better about our organization. I’ve never been a gatekeeper and have always worked to stay away from the people who don’t deliver on promises. I’m here to do the job and hope you let me continue the process of improving Critics Choice for us all.

Regards, Derek Sante