Golden Time with Colleen D’Amico of Agency Source

It would be hard to find someone in the production or post production industry who doesn’t know Colleen D’Amico – or who couldn’t instantly recognize her distinctive laugh from across a crowded room. With over three decades working closely with agencies, production houses and post studios under her belt, Colleen is a force to behold, a well-spring of positivity who’s always looking for ways to help her clients, her friends, hell, even total strangers. 

She got her start rather inauspiciously, working nights at what was then the fledgling production database known simply as The Source. She grew along with that enterprise, becoming its longest-serving employee before leaving for a new challenge with the similarly named Agency Source, an equally expansive database of agency and production contacts that’s become a go-to tool for winning new business, much like our parent, Simian.

A regular at awards shows and conferences, always greeting people with a smile and a hug, Colleen now splits her time between her hometown in Ohio, her transplanted home in Florida and visits to the production centers of L.A. and New York. The Howler got her ear recently to see how she goes about spending her Golden Time.  

Where do you live? How long have you lived there? What do you like best about where you live?

Colleen: I moved from my hometown, Youngstown, Ohio, to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in 1983. Thirty-eight years later, during the pandemic, I moved back home to farm country. I thought it would be like high school, that all my old friends would come to see me…but no, they’re all grannies now with big lives. So the house is up for sale and I’m heading back to FL ASAP!

How did you get into the business? And how long have you been in your current role? 

Colleen: I just celebrated 30 years in the biz. A friend had gone to an interview with industry legend Pamela Maythenyi and didn’t want the job offered, so I took it. We were an amazing team for 26 years.

How often do you end up working on the weekend? 

Colleen: When I was younger, weeks turned into weekends frequently. Now I work smarter and cherish my weekends.

What’s your favorite weekend decompression activity? And how often do you get to pursue it?

Colleen: I love to read. I’m on the Cher bio now, it’s fascinating, and I’m a thrifter, so most Saturdays you’ll find me at a local flea market, Goodwill, thrift store, and TJ Maxx of course! I love to collect Whiting & Davis bags, broaches, and all things white Fenton glass.

It’s a three-day weekend. How do you spend that bonus day?

Colleen: I typically hit the road. My bestie is in Columbus, and I’m a six-hour drive from New York, so I’ve been road-tripping there a lot. But I love to shop, read, have great dinners with friends, do yoga, and walk at a great walking park nearby, Mill Creek Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Central Park designer.

How much time do you spend on your phone/tablet/laptop on a typical weekend? 

Colleen: I bet I’m never on my computer on the weekend, but lately, I’m like a teenager on Instagram, I send those silly videos to my eight besties all night long. 

What have you been watching lately? How do you keep up on all the streaming content out there? 

Colleen: Honestly, I watch the news, and “The Today Show” and “Family Guy,” all night long. The latter never gets old and makes me laugh so hard, but I did enjoy the FX series “FEUD: Capote vs. the Swans” very much this year.

What do you listen to? What’s on your playlist?

Colleen: I’m a 90’s alternative girl; I love Morrissey, The Smiths, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Cult, and Rage Against the Machine…but then I also love jazz and artists like David Sanborn or Billie Holiday.  Aretha Franklin’s my all-time fave, and lately I’ve been listening to the Burt Bachrach songbook, which is amazing. I love piano music and often listen while working to artists like Kevin Kern. Michael Dulin’s “Siren Song” is an everyday listen. We were a Motown house growing up so I love all the oldies for sure. Basically, I love everything from the 40’s to the 90’s.

Best weekend live experience of the past year: concert, sporting event, gallery visit, movie? What made it special? 

Colleen: This past year was kind of boring, but I did hit a few Lenny Kravitz concerts that were a lot of fun. I’m not into sporting events but love an Italian tailgate, which is famous here in Ohio. And I love all art, galleries, and museums – and creative expression has always fascinated me. It adds fuel to my fire for sure.

So it’s Sunday night already! How do you get ready for Monday morning? What’s your Sunday night routine? 

Colleen: Yoga, news, laundry, groceries, and football, 'cause it’s everywhere in Youngstown. It’s basically just football and pizza here – all you can have to eat!