Brit Pack Interviews
JACQUI MOORE
Name: Jacqui Moore
Profession: TV Producer, Consultant and Founder of Brits In the Box
Current Residence: Manhattan, New York
Previous residence: London, UK
Left UK in: 2011
Jacqui Moore has a solid reputation as a problem-solver and her international career producing several high profile TV productions, music and live events has made her the go-to person for British professionals and production companies looking to navigate the American system.
Her American friends would describe her as a brand-savvy, confident, entrepreneur - with a quirky European style. Her British friends would be pleasantly surprised by the changes.
Having worked for companies including MTV, Disney, BBC and a stint living in Australia, Jacqui moved to New York 3 years ago when she was appointed MTV’s Vice President of Event Production.
She has immersed herself in American culture, embracing all the opportunities and friendships that have come her way.
Her latest venture, Brits In The Box (BITB) focuses on smoothing the transition for British TV professionals working in the US. The global demand for skilled Brits has helped the group grow to a community of over 200 members and Brits In The Box recently celebrated it’s 2-year anniversary.
From her Manhattan condo, overlooking the Hudson river, Jacqui shared what life’s been like since moving to NY…
Profession: TV Producer, Consultant and Founder of Brits In the Box
Current Residence: Manhattan, New York
Previous residence: London, UK
Left UK in: 2011
Jacqui Moore has a solid reputation as a problem-solver and her international career producing several high profile TV productions, music and live events has made her the go-to person for British professionals and production companies looking to navigate the American system.
Her American friends would describe her as a brand-savvy, confident, entrepreneur - with a quirky European style. Her British friends would be pleasantly surprised by the changes.
Having worked for companies including MTV, Disney, BBC and a stint living in Australia, Jacqui moved to New York 3 years ago when she was appointed MTV’s Vice President of Event Production.
She has immersed herself in American culture, embracing all the opportunities and friendships that have come her way.
Her latest venture, Brits In The Box (BITB) focuses on smoothing the transition for British TV professionals working in the US. The global demand for skilled Brits has helped the group grow to a community of over 200 members and Brits In The Box recently celebrated it’s 2-year anniversary.
From her Manhattan condo, overlooking the Hudson river, Jacqui shared what life’s been like since moving to NY…
What made you move to the US?
I was at that stage in my life where I thought my career was stagnating and I felt it was time to move outside my environment. I was even investigating going back to Australia and then I saw the job advertised online. I applied for it and after a three-week long interview process in Los Angeles (which felt like being a candidate on The Apprentice) I was offered the position. By the time my visa was processed I had just 15 working days to pack up and get over to the US.
What has been the hardest thing to adjust to since relocating?
The everyday things really take time to figure out. It took be about 6 weeks to find somewhere to buy boot polish! But the hardest thing (and biggest surprise) was that of language. I was in a production meeting and there was a real communication block between me and one of the team members. I asked when we'd need to ‘post’ the invites out for our event and he didn’t understand what I was asking. The next day he came into my office and said 'I think we speak different languages'. Its little things like this that can have quite a big impact.
I was at that stage in my life where I thought my career was stagnating and I felt it was time to move outside my environment. I was even investigating going back to Australia and then I saw the job advertised online. I applied for it and after a three-week long interview process in Los Angeles (which felt like being a candidate on The Apprentice) I was offered the position. By the time my visa was processed I had just 15 working days to pack up and get over to the US.
What has been the hardest thing to adjust to since relocating?
The everyday things really take time to figure out. It took be about 6 weeks to find somewhere to buy boot polish! But the hardest thing (and biggest surprise) was that of language. I was in a production meeting and there was a real communication block between me and one of the team members. I asked when we'd need to ‘post’ the invites out for our event and he didn’t understand what I was asking. The next day he came into my office and said 'I think we speak different languages'. Its little things like this that can have quite a big impact.
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How did Brits In The Box come about?
I decided to create the network after navigating the waters solo during my first year in the US. I discussed the need for the group with 8 or so friends in New York and then set it up. Since then it’s grown organically and through word of mouth. British TV production professionals have a world-class reputation and BITB is about connecting and tapping into that community and sharing knowledge and resources; an information exchange and support network. It’s like a female going into a car dealership; that whole stereotype where the sales people speak jargon and try to pull the wool over your eyes. It’s the same thing going to work anywhere outside of your own environment. I’d be producing productions and people would tell me ‘In America this is what we need’ or ‘this is how we do it’. You don’t know for sure whether that is in fact best practice or whether someone is just being an opportunist. Having a resource of over 200 highly experienced TV professionals, being able to tap into this collective and support each other, that’s what BITB is about. |
Fearless in America...Jacqui after climbing Red Rock in Nevada
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We’re also providing a service for British production companies who want to come to the US and connect with our community. I get approached directly by British companies and am also involved with UK Trade & Investment and BAFTA to help people navigate the differences. There are some big differences between producing in the UK and producing in the US; and so I get involved early on to advise on some of those differences and how to navigate them.
What's the future for Brits In The Box?
There's a need for some professional events and I'd like to create events with an informational or educational element. Also it's good to showcase Brits who have been successful here as it's really encouraging for Brits to see that perseverance really does pay off in America.
How have you changed since moving here?
I've become even more fearless over here. For example, I approached the President of a top advertising agency directly and said 'I’ve got an idea for a seminar and I think you’d be really interested in it, I’d like to come in and pitch to you'. I went in to pitch for an hour and they are now firmly within my network. Would I ever have done that in the UK? Absolutely not! I'd have found who their secretary was or who I knew who might be able to make the initial introduction. In the UK I'd wait to be at the absolute top of the tree before even thinking about going to the next level; whereas now I'm not scared to make the leap when I believe I can do it. That's the American way, they really encourage go-getters.
I'm entrepreneurial and creative and proud that I've been allowed to diversify in the US; whereas the UK likes to pigeon-hole people.
My life is so much more enriched and it does sound like a cliche but America really is the land of opportunity for me.
Could you ever see yourself moving back to the UK?
I'd never say never as living in America was never in my plan, yet here I am! I love London and miss all my family and friends in the UK but a return is not in my short-term plan. I was awarded an Extraordinary Ability green card last year and for me that was a sign that I was supposed to be here and really give it a shot. I have to renew it in 10 years so I've got 10 years to make it!
Learn more about Brits in the Box via their website: www.britsinthebox.com
Or follow them on Facebook and Twitter @BritsInTheBox
Check out Jacqui’s credentials on www.jacquimoore.co.uk
What's the future for Brits In The Box?
There's a need for some professional events and I'd like to create events with an informational or educational element. Also it's good to showcase Brits who have been successful here as it's really encouraging for Brits to see that perseverance really does pay off in America.
How have you changed since moving here?
I've become even more fearless over here. For example, I approached the President of a top advertising agency directly and said 'I’ve got an idea for a seminar and I think you’d be really interested in it, I’d like to come in and pitch to you'. I went in to pitch for an hour and they are now firmly within my network. Would I ever have done that in the UK? Absolutely not! I'd have found who their secretary was or who I knew who might be able to make the initial introduction. In the UK I'd wait to be at the absolute top of the tree before even thinking about going to the next level; whereas now I'm not scared to make the leap when I believe I can do it. That's the American way, they really encourage go-getters.
I'm entrepreneurial and creative and proud that I've been allowed to diversify in the US; whereas the UK likes to pigeon-hole people.
My life is so much more enriched and it does sound like a cliche but America really is the land of opportunity for me.
Could you ever see yourself moving back to the UK?
I'd never say never as living in America was never in my plan, yet here I am! I love London and miss all my family and friends in the UK but a return is not in my short-term plan. I was awarded an Extraordinary Ability green card last year and for me that was a sign that I was supposed to be here and really give it a shot. I have to renew it in 10 years so I've got 10 years to make it!
Learn more about Brits in the Box via their website: www.britsinthebox.com
Or follow them on Facebook and Twitter @BritsInTheBox
Check out Jacqui’s credentials on www.jacquimoore.co.uk
