2 Minutes With .... Katina Lee Miller, Co-Owner & Founder of Lost Luggage Films

Katina Lee Miller is an award-winning marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in the fashion, media and entertainment industry. She has helped players like Sephora, McDonald’s, LVMH, AT&T, Lexus and Toyota build their brands, while authentically connecting them to consumers through content experiences and lRL activations.  

Miller has held high-level positions at Vibe Magazine, Essence, Urban One and Complex Networks, to name a few. She has received countless awards, and is the co-owner and founder of Lost Luggage Films. A graduate of New York University, Miller lives in New York with her husband and two children. 

We spent two minutes with Katina to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.

Katina, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now.  

I grew up in Brooklyn and I still live in New York. 

Your earliest musical memory. 

I grew up listening to Bob Marley, all things Motown, Charlie Parker, rock ‘n’ roll, and dancehall.  My parents are social butterflies. As a result, they would throw impromptu get togethers at our house for the family. The philosophy is that being alive, and being blessed to have another day on Earth is a reason to celebrate.

Your favorite bands/musicians today.  

I love a mix of old-school musical artists and newer artists. Some of my favorites are Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Capleton, Patrice Rushen, Slaves, Queen, Ambrosia, Drake, Jay-Z, Ice Spice, H.E.R, SZA, Tems, Burna Boy and Kendrick Lamar. 

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

“The Kitchen Table” brought to you by Coca-Cola would be one of my favorite projects. Essentially, Coke wanted to connect its brand with Black moms. This was done through food and family. Based on the ask, we created a custom, cross-platform branded series that ran on TV, digital, social and IRL. The reason why I loved this project so much was because it was  honest and fun. These amazing women; Chef Huda, Tisha Campbell and Holly Robinson Peete, shared their testimonies about food, their secret recipes, how food connects them with their families. It felt like I was hanging out on set with my family. The best part was the campaign won a Gold Telly for Best Online Series.

A recent project you’re proud of. 

A recent project that I am proud of would be Sephora’s “Beauty Beyond the Surface.” This was a first-of-its-kind program for Complex. The initiative was designed to reach Black and BIPOC audience segments interested in all things beauty so when Complex won the pitch, I was especially elated because we got to speak to Complex’s female audience.

The clients at Sephora truly listened to us and took our feedback seriously. Everything from recognizing and accepting Black beauty cultural truths to what Black and brown beauty represents across the board and the stigmas associated with what it means to be “beautiful.” These much-needed discussions made the creative more powerful. The program was a huge success and audience sentiment was extremely positive. On social and .com, the Complex audience continues to engage and share the content we created in partnership with Sephora.

One thing about how the music world is evolving that you’re excited about. 

I’m excited about all of the women in hip hop—seeing artists come out like Ice Spice, Megan Thee Stallion and newbie Scar Lip. Watching them dominate the charts is empowering. It’s also uplifting to watch Kendrick Lamar and Lizzo be vulnerable openly discussing their mental health journey. Lastly, I really enjoy watching and learning about artists impacting and uplifting their communities. 

Someone else’s work, in music or beyond, that you admired lately. 

I recently went to The MET and was inspired by Lauren Halsey’s Eastside of South Central exhibit held on the rooftop. She took her roots from South Central Los Angeles and paired that with afro-futurism and ancient Egyptian iconography. Everything from the reimagined sphinxes to black and beautiful text engraved on the walls of the exhibit. The entire exhibit emphasized the importance of community and Black culture.

Also held at the MET is the Karl Lagerfeld exhibit. In addition to seeing some of the most gorgeous  pieces he dreamt of, I learned that he believed if he could not explain his creative vision to his ateliers, he failed as a creative director. I respect that! Often, we work with people who do not take that same type of accountability. They leave it up to other folks to “figure out” their  vision. 

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

• Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey 
• Get Smart With Money on Netflix 

An artist you admire outside the world of music. 

• Jean Michel Basquiat
• Kara Walker 
• Pablo Picasso 

Your favorite fictional character. 

Disney’s Mulan—the animated character. I love her fearlessness and admire her strength. Also, Disney’s Princess Tiana—I love her determination and her faith/belief in herself and her dreams. 

Someone worth following on social media. 

@nymag 

Your main strength as a marketer/creative. 

In addition to creating impactful programs for some of the biggest brands, I also understand the business behind it. Being able to craft and execute creative ideas that are scaleable is one thing. Being able to produce high volumes of revenue from those ideas is just as important, because that money affords more creative dreams and resources. I also pride myself on grooming the next group of talented creatives/marketers. It is important to ensure that where I can, I share valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Your biggest weakness. 

I am a bit of a perfectionist. Once I’m locked into a project, I have to force myself to step away/take a beat from the “thing” I am creating. You have to be able to look at the creative objectively, and at times accept the fact that things won’t be perfect. That’s hard for me to do. 

Something people would find surprising about you. 

Most people are surprised when they learn that I am quite the horticulturalist. I love gardening. I grow everything from fruits and veggies to peonies and agapanthus flowers.

One thing that always makes you happy. 

God, my husband, my kids, our family, and that first cup of coffee in the morning.

One thing that always makes you sad. 

Injustice of any kind.

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the music business 

I would probably run a beachfront/beach-adjacent bed and breakfast that serves farm-to-table foods and beverages. On that property, I would grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables and would host daily yoga and meditation.