72andSunny Promotes Lora Schulson to Global Chief Production Officer

​72andSunny has promoted Lora Schulson to global chief production officer, a newly created role designed to scale her production expertise and advance the agency’s use of AI and emerging technology from creative development through production.

Lora, who has been with the Stagwell agency for more than 11 years, will continue to lead North America production while overseeing production strategy, workflow optimisation, AI innovation, and creative execution across 72andSunny’s international offices, including Amsterdam and Sydney. She will report to Matt Murphy, global chief creative officer.

The new global position signals, says Lora, that production is more than an executional discipline at 72andSunny. Speaking with LBB, she describes it as a driver of creative innovation and business transformation for the agency’s clients. “By elevating production to a global role, we’re saying that how we make the work is as important as the ideas themselves,” she adds. “The role reflects where 72andSunny is headed: toward a future where creativity, technology, and efficiency are seamlessly integrated so we can deliver culturally resonant work at scale, across platforms and markets.”

Asked about her immediate focus as she steps into the new role, Lora said she is starting with a “listening tour” to understand what’s working well in each market and where there are points of friction and differences from North America. “From there, I’ll work to build the skills of our existing talent by deploying new tools or methodology to problem solve and deliver great work,” she says.

She adds that alignment will be central to her early priorities. “My immediate focus is making sure all of our global offices are operating from a shared vision of what great work looks like, while empowering local teams to flex their superpowers.

“Stepping into this new role, I’m prioritising establishing clarity around systems and standards, building momentum on AI and emerging tech integration and continuing to champion creative excellence while also driving new efficiencies that benefit our clients and teams.”

Lora describes her approach to global alignment as building “a strong spine with flexible joints” and that it needn’t require any flattening of systems and processes. “We’ll create shared frameworks for budgeting, resourcing, and quality standards that give us consistency and speed globally,” she says. “We’ll preserve space for local craft, cultural relevance, and ways of working that make each office thrive. Our ambition is to be unified – not uniform – and present as a global network that feels seamless to clients, but also deeply rooted in local talent, culture, and execution.”

She also addresses the growing role of AI in production, something central to her new remit. “AI and hybrid production cannot replace human creativity, but they can equip us with the capability to unlock new forms of storytelling that weren’t possible before. At 72andSunny, we’ve always been at our best when we lean into change and use technology to serve creativity, not the other way around.

“These tools are already reshaping how we bring ideas to life. They allow us to prototype concepts faster, explore creative directions more broadly, and produce content at scale.”

In the next few years, she believes that AI will “supercharge creativity” by giving teams and clients a clearer early view of ideas through visualisation and prototyping, by automating repetitive tasks like versioning and QC to free up talent for higher-value problem solving, and by enabling worlds and experiences that were once too expensive, complex or time-consuming to produce.

“At 72andSunny, we’ll always prioritise human creativity and taste,” she says. “AI is a tool, not the idea. But it’s a tool that, if used well, can elevate both the creative process and the final work.”

Lora first joined 72andSunny in 2014 as director of production. In 2022, she was elevated to North America head of production, overseeing production across 72’s New York and Los Angeles offices. She has been recognised with honours including Cannes Lions, Emmys, Clios, One Show, Webbys, Andys and AICP awards.

She has overseen some of the agency’s most ambitious projects, among them its first work using AI tools. Most recently, she led the NFL’s 2025 Kickoff campaign ‘You Better Believe It’, where AI was integrated with live action and CGI to create the final work.

“Lora’s proof that our best talent is often grown from within,” says global CCO Matt. “Over the past 11 years, her leadership has been a masterclass in turning bold ideas into world-class executions. She’s not just delivering results – she’s elevating everyone around her. Promoting her to global chief production officer ensures that as 72andSunny grows internationally, we’ll continue to play to win at every level of production.”

Global CEO Evin Shutt also praises Lora’s impact on the agency’s production culture and the influence she will now bring to its international network. “Lora puts optimism into action – approaching every challenge as an opportunity,” says Evin. “She has transformed how our teams in New York and Los Angeles execute projects, and in this new role, she’ll bring that same leadership and impact to scaling production globally for our clients.”

Reflecting on more than a decade with the agency, Lora says she has stayed because 72andSunny is “built for change.” Each year, she explains, has brought evolution for both the company and herself. “This is a place that always wants to win: we’re an incredibly competitive agency full of super-athletes who push each other to be better. 72andSunny has consistently asked more of me, challenged me to grow, and sometimes demanded I move through uncomfortable places. That’s what’s kept me inspired: the people and the possibility.”

She adds that production at the agency has always been seen as a creative partner. “It’s a place that invites entrepreneurial thinking and action from everyone, no matter your role, and that spirit keeps driving us to new and exciting places. We’re not looking back. We’re always asking what’s next, what’s new, and how we can make unignorable, culturally resonant work.

“That restless energy and commitment to possibility is why I’m still here and why I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

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