Patrick McElroy, Julie Margilaj and Joanna Margilaj of Champion on the Value of Consistency

As well as open-mindedness and curiosity

Patrick, Julie and Joanna are founders of Champion, a New York-based talent management firm that connects agencies and brands with production companies.

We spent two minutes with the trio to learn more about their background, creative inspirations and recent work they’ve admired. 

Patrick, Julie and Joanna, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

• Patrick: Haddonfield, N.J., now living in Manhattan.
• Julie and Joanna: We’re sisters and grew up in New York City and the Hudson Valley. Julie now resides in Connecticut and Joanna in NYC.

How you first realized you were creative.

• Patrick: The way I responded to the 1985 Alice in Wonderland TV-movie.
• Julie and Joanna: We daydreamed about designing our home and we started a company in our teens called OCD. (Organize, Construct, Design).

A person you idolized creatively early on.

• Patrick: Steven Spielberg was big for me; learning that Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park were made by the same person. 
• Julie: My mother and aunt owned an interior design company, TerriSue, where they created upholstery, drapery and bed sheets. 
• Joanna: Darren Star: 90210, Melrose Place, Sex and the City. 

A moment from high school or college that changed your life.

• Patrick: Coming out or studying in Berlin: same thing.
• Julie: Cleaning sets at EUE/ScreenGems as my summer gig. I got a taste of film production.
• Joanna: When I learned that I could finish high school in three years.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

• Patrick: I ride with female singer songwriters.
• Julie: Yo-Yo Ma and James Turrell.
• Joanna: I love production designer Shona Heath.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

• Patrick: Podcast: Every episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.
• Julie: My sister suggested The Silent Patient. I’m now re-reading The Overstory.
• Joanna: The Goop podcast. Gwyneth Paltrow is a queen.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on. 

• Patrick: I learned so much working on the Apple “Greetings” campaign. It was a turning point in my career. 
• Julie: When I went to Thailand as a production assistant for director Jaron Albertin.
• Joanna: The first project I produced, a Billie commercial at Radical with director Agostina Galvez. 

Play

A recent project you’re proud of. 

• Patrick: Freddie Powell and Mischief.
• Julie: “Champion Weekly Briefing,” honored by the Webbys.
• Joanna: What we’re doing with our Champion branding. My favorite is our production profile for Landia.  

Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago. 

• Patrick: Fiest’s “The Bad In Each Other” directed by Martin de Thurah. She’s THAT GWORL.

Play

• Julie: Honda “Cog” by Antoine Bardou-Jacquet.

Play

• Joanna: “Light Red Over Black” by Rothko at the Tate.

Someone else’s work you admired lately. 

• Patrick: Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” directed by Sean Price Williams.
• Julie: I’m digging everything about director/photographer Matilda Finn.
• Joanna: Quentin Jones and Division7’s work is a trip.

Your main strength as a creative person.

• Patrick: I’m consistent. 
• Julie: I’m open-minded. 
• Joanna: Curiosity. 

Your biggest weakness.

• Patrick: I’m curt.
• Julie: Not looking at my calendar. 
• Joanna: I need to slow down and appreciate the present. 

A mentor who helped you navigate the industry.

• Patrick: David Glean, Dana Balkin, Maya Brewster and Patrick Milling-Smith.
• Julie: Jamie and Sasha of Miss Smith.
• Joanna: The team at Smuggler, for giving me my first shot in production. Gisela Limberg, who showed me the independent rep game. RadicalMedia, which brought me into a world of creativity beyond commercials. 

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.

• Patrick: A financial therapist. Picture this: Orna Guralnik meets Dave Ramsey.
• Julie: Retired
• Joanna: Publishing