Sponsor: Amy Campbell
When Batista joined the company in 2011, she was working as print production coordinator. By December of 2020, she had worked her way up to her current role, overseeing the creative and production process for nine brands, including MTV and Paramount Network. She caught the eye of her MTV Entertainment Group’s EVP of Marketing early on. “As I assembled the production team at VH1, Francesca quickly became a go-to. I knew that whenever she was on a project, it would be done well and with her extra touches of creativity and finesse,” she says. This year, Batista’s work has included developing a new brand identity and graphic design for the new MTV Entertainment Group, as well as a new logo and open for MTV Entertainment Studios. She also played a prominent role in creating the MTVE content for this year’s ViacomCBS virtual upfront presentation and led the creative campaign for the relaunch of “Behind the Music, Real World Homecoming: New York” and “Real World Homecoming: LA” on Paramount+. It’s rare these days to see a creative plant their feet at one company for a decade. It’s a feat Batista attributes to the ViacomCBS creative culture and community. “I’ve always felt that the optimism and inclusivity of our work as well as collaboration and adaptability of our culture are exemplified in the content we create for our audiences, whether we’re offering escapism or activism,” she says. The fast-paced work environment doesn’t hurt either. “By embracing change, I’ve created new approaches toward my work—seeking out new creative and production partners internally and externally—and have become comfortable with the discomfort of trying something new and ambitious,” she says.
“Not only is Francesca a skilled producer, she is also committed to social justice. She proactively works on projects and campaigns that address matters of racial and gender discrimination.” — Amy Campbell
