Ileana Diez, Global Creative Brand Strategist
💭 Stopping to smell the roses, Vgly, and being the company you keep.
Thought Enthusiast is an AdHoc Project where we chat with fascinating thought leaders across various facets of music, tech, and culture whose work we admire, simply asking “what’s on your mind?” and “why do you care?” 💭
Named one of Billboard Magazine’s 2021 “40 Under 40,” Ileana Diez is the founder of her own brand strategy and creative marketing consultancy, where she utilizes her global understanding of the DNA of cultures to connect brands with the people, places, and things that contextualize them. Previously Head of Marketing at Roc Nation, Ileana created and oversaw campaigns for artists such as Rihanna, Mariah Carey and prior to that was a senior publicist at Island Records. Born in Puerto Rico but raised as a third culture kid living throughout Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia, Toronto, Prague, Singapore, Paris, NYC, South Florida and LA, Ileana's personal passions are empowering women of color within creative industries, exploring new communities, and people watching while eating good food & drinking good wine.
❤️🔥 Where work + passion intersect
Although too secret to give too many details, one project I am currently working on is a reimagined music podcast delving into the genius and career of one of the greatest living musicians of all time. And one step beyond that, this project allows other notable creatives to geek out on the artists’ impact that inspired and informed their work. As a music lover first and foremost, it is always my goal to work on projects that I am stoked about as a human being and consumer.
When you work on stuff that you are so excited to bring to the world for others to love and enjoy, it makes you feel like you are working on something you would have probably done for free, but somehow are getting paid for. That is always the goal and the dream.
🌹 Stopping to smell the roses
Lately, I’ve been really focused on stopping to smell the roses, figuratively and literally. With that point of view, slow down, enjoy the view, experience the moments–big or small–and appreciate all the elements that make up YOUR life. And know you are in full power to change anything that you don’t like or isn’t serving you.
📺 Vgly
I recently got into the HBOMax show Vgly, which has been just as entertaining as it has been fascinating. As Latin music continues to dominate music charts and expand into new audiences, it’s cool to be able to tap into where the music comes from and further understand the culture around it. As I am also currently living in Mexico City, the show is showcasing a new aspect of this beautifully diverse city and culture I wasn’t plugged into previously.
I recently was recommended Many Lives, Many Masters by a dear friend which has been a big perspective shift for me. Regardless of one’s personal beliefs on reincarnation, the after-life, and what happens to us when we die, the truth is, we will all die, and I think accepting and coming to peace with that reality frees our mind of any fear that may be holding us back from living our fullest lives. The question “what would you do if you had no fear holding you back?” is a good indicator of things you should strive to achieve and be bold to explore.
🤝 Being the company you keep
There is truth behind the saying “you are the company you keep.” Although there are so many friends, peers and mentors I look up to, the truth is no one inspires me more than those closest to me: my tribe. Whether it’s Debbie Gonzales showing up for community and building a brand with authenticity at Kids of Immigrants, or Danielle Quebrado who founded No Other Agency to amplify the voices and messages of marginalized creatives, or Kristen Harding who has single handedly reinvented the magazine industry as it adjusted to the digital landscape with digital covers at Entertainment Weekly, my tribe is constantly working hard to make all their childhood dreams come true and make the world a better place, inspiring me to always do the same.
🌎 Diversifying how you engage with the world
Although digital consumption is a part of all our daily lives nowadays, I am so inspired by the people creating experiences and launching projects that physically bring me into the product, concept, or space. With so much noise online causing overstimulation, I think often we are left feeling disconnected and disengaged, so it is important to diversify how you are engaging with the world around you.
🤓 Becoming a more well-rounded entrepreneur
Although education and learning has always been important to me, continuing my education in avenues that support my career as well as my passions has become a top priority to me. Whether its seeking out courses in areas of my industry I am unfamiliar with or even investing in creative outlet courses such as a writing workshop, I believe everything contributes to making me a more well-rounded entrepreneur.
💭 Follow Ileana Diez on Instagram & check out her website here.