DISTRICT PROFILE: Jess Gilliam
By Meatpacking BID
March 20, 2017
March 20, 2017
Name: Jess Gilliam
Social: @dancingwithcats
Title: Brand Creative Director
Organization: GIPHY
What do you do, and how did you get here?
I work with all of the many teams across departments at GIPHY to help maintain and to expand our brand, while working alongside the best creative teams out there!
I have a background in design and have been friends with Alex Chung, GIPHY founder and CEO, for forever. When he was starting GIPHY he asked me if I wanted to join and help build out the company…fast forward to four years later and here we are!
What do you love about Meatpacking?
I love the small neighborhood vibes of Meatpacking and, of course, I love the cobblestones and beautiful Hudson River views.
If you had just 15 minutes, how would you spend it in the neighborhood?
I would grab a tea from Tease Tea in Gansevoort Market and take a quick stroll on the High Line.
If you had a few hours, how would you ideally spend the day?
I would start the day at the Whitney, making sure to stop by the gift shop on my way out–it’s so well curated and I always find inspiration in their art books and objects. I’d do some shopping–check out Rag & Bone and In Support Of. And then I’d eat as much food as I could from Chelsea Market!
Where do you go to escape the crowds? People watch?
Strangely enough, sometimes to escape crowds/get a few minutes of me time I duck into Sephora, or I’ll grab a matcha latte at Jack’s.
People watching is always great from the High Line, but is also very enjoyable from the warm, vacation-forever vibes inside Santina while sipping the cutest iced teas I’ve ever seen.
Where will you recommend for a great cocktail or bite?
When the weather is nice I love grabbing cocktails and food outdoors at The Standard.
What’s your most memorable moment or experience in Meatpacking?
Moving our office back to Meatpacking. This is where GIPHY was born and after bouncing around a few temporary office spaces in other neighborhoods, it was really nice to come back and call this neighborhood our home once again.