We talked to Tay Sanchez, Ceo & Founder of HARRY production company
The production company, based in Madrid, has clear interests: to generate a friendly working environment and if it is accompanied by good food, so much the better. And, what’s more: no shortage of good stories.
Created in 2014 by Néstor Costafreda, Tay Sánchez and Dionisio Naranjo, it is only necessary to visit their profile on the web to realise that the creativity and good vibes that are reflected in all their productions are the special seasoning.
We talked to Tay Sanchez, Ceo & Founder of HARRY production company, as well as an enthusiast of art and creativity that generate Ideas and Good Stories (with a capital letter) and above all, a positive contribution to the world today.
What is ‘office gastronomy’, how did the idea come about?
Gastronomy has always been with us. In fact, the three partners are very foodies, lovers of good food and enjoyment by nature. Néstor loves cooking, it’s in his genes, he’s a real chef and since our first production company he used to cook for us practically every day (between editing and editing) and we ate like hell. At Harry’s it became essential because not only did he gather us around the table but it became a very creative moment around the dishes, and from the dishes we moved on to the stories. Gastronomía de Oficina is a place to welcome anyone who believes in things well done, with love, with care, with passion. Our friends and professional colleagues come here regularly and so, little by little, we are building our book of recipes and good stories.
You have just completed 10 years of activity, is it time to review the balance sheet?
The balance is very good. In fact, 10 years in this business is no easy feat. We feel that we have managed to define our brand: Harry, just good stories. It is not just a brand but a life purpose. We have learned that our best comes when we act with a conscience, with a purpose and, no doubt, with a good dose of risk. When we are able to identify where the boundaries of what we want to communicate and what we don’t are. When we continue to give value to what we do by prioritising good stories.
During this time, were there any changes in the dynamics of the work?
Of course, there have been and there are changes in the work dynamics. It is essential in a business like this that you are constantly rethinking your strategy. You have to be in a very creative and receptive mood, learning from everything that happens.
How many projects do you do per year?
Around 20/25 projects. And this year we have also added our first feature film, “Tras el verano”, directed by Yolanda Centeno. It will be released in spring 2025 and stars Alexandra Jiménez and Juan Diego Botto.
What kind of projects are you most excited about?
Any project that has a good idea behind it. That is the key. The format is secondary. What is important is that there are new, innovative concepts, brave scripts, powerful stories.
What is the project that they are most proud of, or that they feel most represents the work of the production company.
I would keep all those projects that, in some way, transcend advertising. Those that not only try to sell a product or a brand, but also seek to reinforce a value in society, a small learning, reminder or reflection. To contribute or invite, even a little, to improve some aspect of the world. Here I could mention, among others, Pavofrío “Deliciosa Calma” and “Fantasmas”, Atlético de Madrid “Bullying”, La Villita “Juntos lo hacemos mejor” and “El detector de la desigualdad”, DGT “El Álbum de las navidades que no pudiste vivir”, Ikea “Familiarizados”, UNICEF “Regalo azul”, Toyota “El tiempo nos hace mejores” and “Conduce como piensas”, Campofrío “Cholitas”, 1906 “La Mochila” and Correos “Vive donde quieras” or the short film “Imposible decirte adiós”.
Are you familiar with creative tools such as AI, do you have an opinion?
Everyone is afraid to think about what place it can occupy because of how fast it is evolving. It is clear that it is an incredible and fantastic tool, and at the same time it makes us more productive and resolute in the short term, but it is inevitable not to open a professional and moral debate. I suppose that, like everything else, it will end up being regularised. Be that as it may, we will have to become more imaginative, which is what will give us value as creators.
What’s next for HARRY?
The idea is to keep growing in the search for talent. Our forte is to build teams of creators who are the best in their field, whether in scriptwriting, directing, design, music or any other artistic expression. And this is a model that we intend to perfect and consolidate both in the territory of advertising films and fiction. So we are going to be very focused on the creation of original projects.
Interview by Grisel Alboniga
