5 Minutes with… Marick Hermet-Delaunay
From cinematic beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the advertising world, Marick Hermet-Delaunay has carved a remarkable career for herself, defined by innovation, resilience, and a deep love for collaboration. Recently appointed as head of production at LA\PAC, Marick brings over 25 years of expertise and a fresh perspective to the French company.
Starting her career under the mentorship of iconic directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Jacques Doillon, Marick developed an appreciation for the intricacies of storytelling and the art of production. Her transition from feature films to advertising was spurred by her desire for balance between family life and professional ambitions, a decision that opened doors to an entirely new creative frontier. Advertising became her ‘technical laboratory’, a realm where she could convey powerful narratives within the constraints of just a few seconds.
Over the years, Marick has navigated the complexities of managing large-scale productions for global brands, including overseeing more than 100 campaigns for the L’Oréal Group. From beauty and fashion, to automotive and comedy, her projects are a testament to her ability to merge creativity with logistical precision. Her favourite campaigns – more on which below – reflect her ability to infuse technical expertise with an emotional connection to her work.
In this exclusive interview, Marick discusses the lessons learned from her film career, her approach to fostering teamwork, and her excitement about the evolving role of AI in production. As she steps into her new role at LA\PAC, Marick remains committed to its people-centric philosophy, placing collaboration and humanity at the heart of her vision for the future.
What else is she going to do as LA\PAC’s new head of production and more, she tells LBB’s Zoe Antonov below.
LBB> Starting with your early career, you worked on feature films with renowned directors like Jean-Luc Godard and Jacques Doillon. How did this experience shape your approach to production, and what lessons from that time still influence your work today?
Marick> Initially, my passion was cinema, so it seemed obvious to me to work on feature films. I wanted to understand how films are made, from script to final cut. These experiences gave me the questions I'd been asking myself, and much more – the budget. How to find the financing to produce an audiovisual work? A director's involvement in their film. Casting, sets, tech. It was an incredible experience, from a technical, artistic and human point of view.
The parameters of my job were learning, understanding and anticipating. With renowned directors, the admiration is even greater. They are virtuosos whom we observe and assist.
In short, these experiences are rich in emotion and learning. What continues to serve me today in advertising is patience and humanity... even if it's increasingly difficult!
LBB> After stepping back from production to focus on your family, you shifted into the advertising world. What drew you to this industry, and how did your background in feature films help in navigating the fast-paced world of advertising?
Marick> Indeed, for family reasons too, I turned to advertising. Being a woman, having children, a family life and working in the film industry is a very complicated thing. Shooting often takes place outside Paris, over several weeks or even months.
Between two films, I sometimes worked on commercials. It was a different exercise, even if the technique remained the same. Some of the rules aren't, so it was an adaptation that suited me quite well. I also liked the fact that advertising was a kind of technical ‘laboratory’ compared to cinema. I was more and more curious about how to produce a commercial film. The stakes weren't the same, the means, the production stages and, above all, the narrative. How to tell a story in a few seconds. A perilous and difficult exercise in style.
LBB> You have over 25 years of experience managing productions across various genres, particularly in fashion, comedy, automotive, and luxury beauty. What have been some of the most rewarding and challenging projects you’ve worked on, especially within luxury beauty campaigns?
Marick> Every project appeals to me. Each ad is a new entity.
I don't choose film categories, but over time, beauty, luxury and fashion have imposed themselves on me. Not by choice, but by chance. Maybe I was more sensitive to these subjects because I love fashion and beauty! I'm very happy it happened this way.
Two campaigns stood out for me, even if others were also influenced by the director and the location.
One was for Garnier, and we had to shoot the brand's 60 hair colours with 60 models! In fact, it was a LA\PAC production!
The other was a campaign for Coca Cola Zero. I'm a big Coke Zero drinker, and the producer offered me this film because I was the best ambassador for the brand. What's more, the director, Nima Nourizadeh, was an incredible director. He had just finished directing ‘Projet X’.
LBB> As someone who has overseen over 100 campaigns for major clients like the L’Oréal Group, how do you balance the creative and logistical demands of such high-profile productions, and what do you believe are the key ingredients to delivering successful campaigns for global brands?
Marick> The watchword is anticipation. Beauty requires a highly technical approach, and boards are constantly evolving, even during pre-production, so we have to anticipate the different scenarios that might arise.
LBB> You’ve recently taken on the role of Head of Production at LA\PAC. How does your vision for LA\PAC align with the company’s 'It’s all About People' philosophy, and what do you hope to bring to this role?
Marick> For me, the most important thing for this job is not only experience but also people skills. It's 50% professional and 50% human. Knowing how to put together teams based on a director's expectations and personality is also part of the job. In short, this job requires a bit of HR work.
LBB> In your extensive career working with some of the top directors and production companies, collaboration has been a key theme. How do you foster teamwork and creativity in high-pressure environments, especially when managing teams in large-scale productions?
Marick> These are almost strategic choices. It's not just a question of skills, but of personalities that may or may not get along. Having worked on several freelance projects with LA\PAC, I know they have the same analysis. That's also why I decided to work with them, because I know we share the same work philosophy.
LBB> As the production industry continues to evolve with new technologies and digital platforms, how do you see the future of advertising and creative production? What trends or shifts are you most excited to explore in your new role at LA\PAC?
Marick> AI is inevitably going to enter our industry, and we're going to have to know how to use it wisely. It's a wonderful tool that allows us to explore and analyse projects in a different way, with even greater precision. What I'm sure about, however, is that AI will never replace human beings with their sensitivity and reflection.
It's a real revolution in the making. We'll just have to find the right balance between what we've known and mastered and these new technologies. It's super exciting and a real challenge.
