Leah Harper-LanePhoto: Lauren Crew
How she got her start: Harper-Lane is an Emmy award-winning producer with more than 20 years of experience in live entertainment, a passion she says started early. “I worked for PBS, FOX Sports, and a music tour in high school, then with NBC for the Sydney Olympics in college," she says. "To see a big production come together, and hear the roar of the crowd—it’s magical. I’ve never lost that feeling.”
Throughout her career, she has continued to seek the magic of the crowd, with credits that span a variety of high-profile productions: Super Bowl, Academy Awards, Showtime’s Inside the NFL, Ford Auto Shows, Frieze Art Fair, the NMAAHC Dedication Ceremony with President Obama, and numerous MTV and VH1 tentpole events.
Harper-Lane soon built a reputation as a sought-after producer for live televised events, then began to see a pattern: “More and more, I was getting calls to be a fixer," she explains. "Brands and agencies were demanding broadcast quality media and event production, but getting blindsided by the exponential complexity.”
Wanting to get ahead of these issues, Harper-Lane started Strong Brew in 2015. She notes that she and her teams now help clients "dream big while managing risk, delivering complex live events for market leaders." Clients include Airbnb, Google, CBS Sports, MTV, BET, HBO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Nickelodeon, Complex, YouTube Originals, and more.
What innovation means to her: For Harper-Lane, innovation is crucial to success in a rapidly evolving industry. “Client and audience expectations are a moving target, and no two productions are the same—but that’s a big part of what I love about this work. Each show requires a unique solution.”
She adds, “Legacy broadcast networks are no longer the gatekeepers, but innovation isn’t just about responding to the big shifts. It’s also the subtle course corrections, where you have to be resilient and adaptable as you move forward.” 
Harper-Lane was an executive producer on "Lizzo: Live in Concert" for HBO Max.Photo: HBO Max
What sets her work apart: Harper-Lane says that what distinguishes Strong Brew may be the shows they don’t do. “A lot of agencies will pitch at every opportunity, or say yes to nearly any budget, but our first principles prioritize quality over quantity," she explains. "We love the work we do and the clients we work for, so we’ve taken steps to ensure that never stops.”
How she stays inspired: “We’re constantly feeding our perspective with content across mediums," she says. "You never know where inspiration will strike. Also, the community for large-scale events is pretty small, so I’m always thrilled to see what our colleagues are doing. But conversely, when the work cup feels too full, finding quiet spaces in natural settings helps me reflect and recharge.” 
"Strong Brew’s work at ComplexCon produced incredible moments for a passionate subculture," says Harper-Lane.Photo: Courtesy of Strong Brew
Career highlights: “Most recently, a Lizzo concert event for HBO was a blast to work on. Even after months of work, and some really long days in the edit, I was singing at the top of my lungs in the living room when it premiered," she says.
“Prior to that, Strong Brew’s work at ComplexCon produced incredible moments for a passionate subculture," she adds. "Nickelodeon SlimeFest was a lot of fun, with thousands of families creating memories. You’d be amazed how many parents have been waiting a lifetime to get slimed! The experiences we support matter to people. It’s a privilege to be a part of that.”
Her favorite thing about the event industry: “The scope and scale of this work puts you in the trenches with really interesting people, and the intensity of that experience can create bonds for life," she says. "Also, when you’re working alongside great creative thinkers, with these incredibly diverse experiences, you always pick up nuggets of wisdom for a future project.”
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