How Christina Anderson Earns Trust – and Pays It Forward

Since joining Cutters Detroit in 2024 as executive producer, Christina Anderson has thrived in the heart of the team’s efforts, where creativity, collaboration, and precision intersect to create the extraordinary.

One standout moment was this year’s Cannes Lions Ad Festival highlighting the studio’s tour-de-force reputation and celebrating the inspiring, enigmatic clients who help to make its journey so rewarding.

Christina’s career also spans integrated campaigns at McCann Worldgroup, and over a decade at M·A·C Cosmetics, where she honed her eye for storytelling and brand integrity.

She spoke with LBB about why a career change into production just made sense, the key to being an effective producer, and how her fascination around psychology fuels her love for finding solutions.

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LBB> What first attracted you to production – and has it been an industry you’ve always worked in or did you come to it from another area?

Christina> Full transparency, production wasn’t something I initially had my eyes on.

I spent 13 years with M.A.C. Cosmetics and that experience really shaped how I work – collaborating with diverse, incredibly talented creative teams, managing timelines, and overseeing projects in fast-paced, high-stress environments – and I loved it.

When I eventually made the move to a more traditional agency career, production just made sense. In a certain way, the career found me, because it brings together everything I thrive on: collaboration, problem-solving, creativity, and variety. No two days, let-alone projects, are ever the same, and that constant evolution is what keeps it exciting for me.

LBB> A good producer should be able to produce for any medium, from film to events to digital experience. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Christina> I definitely agree. A good producer should be able to adapt across mediums because, at its core, producing is about organisation, communication, and bringing people together to make things happen.

That said, every medium has its own quirks, and a great producer knows how to navigate those and lean on the right partners/resources when needed.

I’ve heard people debate which format is ‘harder,’ but each has its own challenges, and the credit goes to the expertise it takes to make it truly successful.

LBB> What do you think is the key to being an effective producer – and is it something that’s innate or something that can be learned?

Christina> That’s a great question, and one I hear often. I do feel a lot of being an effective producer is innate. You can absolutely learn the technical side and excel at it. But interpersonal awareness and intuition? That’s harder to teach.

David Lynch said, “Intuition is the number one tool for human beings,” and in producing, that resonates to me. It’s that uncanny ability to ‘just know,’ sensing what you might need to triage, reading a room, and communicating effectively. That in-between knack develops naturally; the rest you can learn. Many say that producing throws you into the fire, and it does, but part of being effective is just knowing which way the extinguisher is.

LBB> As a producer your brain must have a neverending ‘to do’ list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?

Christina> Wait, there’s an off switch? I kid, I kid. Honestly, I’m not sure I ever fully switch off, but I do have my rituals.

Most nights, I’ll park by the lake near me, zen out to some music, and let my brain unwind. I do practice transcendental meditation, but movement is much more meditative for me, so I hit the gym regularly.

I love hunting for treasures in thrift stores, catching a random film at the theatre, and diving into photography: planning shots lets me feed my creative side. Travel is my ultimate reset, whether it’s a last-minute trip across the pond or exploring a tucked-away town nearby keeps me inspired, curious, and grounded.

LBB> Producers are problem solvers. What personally fuels your curiosity and drive?

Christina> I’m fascinated by the psychology behind people and situations, which naturally fuels my love for finding solutions.

Sometimes the answer is right in front of you, and other times it takes stepping back and letting it breathe for a moment. I joke that I should have been a firefighter; while some shy away from challenges, I want to dive in and figure it out. I see problems as opportunities, either for myself or for those around me.

That mix of curiosity and problem-solving drives me every day, and no matter the outcome, there’s always something new to learn.

LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?

Christina> I’d say stay curious, adaptable, and brave enough to ask for help – I still do! Don’t hesitate to voice concerns either; as a producer, you’re often in the position of playing good cop/bad cop.

You’ll learn a lot as you go. People want to help, so ask questions, shadow others, and pick brains. There’s no single right way to do this. Learn the mediums, keep up with trends, and take advantage of resources such as the AICP website.

As a newly elected member of the Midwest Board of AICP, I’m always happy to connect with anyone looking to explore the field further.

LBB> What’s the key to a successful production-client relationship?

Christina> Having been on both sides, I know the key is making clients feel heard and cared for. They’re trusting you, and their budget, to bring their idea to life. It’s not only about the work itself; it’s the whole experience from start to deliver that builds trust, loyalty, and lasting relationships.

LBB> Producers are naturally hands on – they have to be. How do you balance that in the more managerial role of an EP?

Christina> As an EP, I’m still hands-on, but my role shifts more to being the quarterback – guiding the team and maintaining a more bird’s-eye view of what’s happening.

Communication is key – knowing when to step in and when to step back, trusting the team to execute while staying aligned with creative and logistical goals. But also, just as important, having that trust in return and having the team lean on you as needed.

Balancing being involved with delegating comes down to understanding your team’s strengths, trust, and supporting them to do their best work.