Why Spotlight Monkey?
Spotlight Monkey’s Mission is to Help Businesses and People Become the Success Story Folks Remember and Champion.
This mission is deeply personal to our founder, Joan O’Connor — an Emmy Award–winning storyteller whose career has always been guided by instinct, emotion, and the power of narrative.
Before she shaped television brands or launched Spotlight Monkey, Joan was a kid in the passenger seat, learning the beauty of intentionally getting lost from her mom. They’d take drives with no destination — just curiosity — and always stumbled into unexpected wonder.
That early lesson became her guiding light: take detours, embrace the unknown, and trust that when you stop forcing your story, the right one reveals itself.
That mindset shaped not not only Joan's life but also her work. After decades spent crafting connection-driven narratives for popular TV shows and iconic brands, she founded Spotlight Monkey with a more personal mission — to help others uncover the most meaningful version of their story: the one that was always waiting to be told.
Want the full story? From Hollywood to branding — and a pitch event that changed everything. Click to read Joan’s journey.
What Makes Spotlight Monkey Unique?
🎯 Founder-Level Focus
When you work with Spotlight Monkey, you work directly with Joan — an Emmy-winning storyteller who brings heart, instinct, and creative leadership to every project. No handoffs. No fluff.
🎬 Cohesive Cinematic Storytelling
Some branding companies and AI tools produce content that lacks clarity and cohesion, leaving messaging fragmented and confusing. We create brand narratives with cinematic clarity —emotionally resonant and intentionally structured, so every moment engages and moves the story forward.
🚩 Strategic Stories People Champion
We craft narratives that aren’t just memorable — they make people care. Every story we shape is uniquely designed to attract attention, inspire connection, and create the kind of loyalty that leads to long-term success.
Values & Principles
Spotlight Monkey’s Guiding Light
IMAGINATIVE: No sheep here. Bold, original thinking that makes your brand unforgettable.
RESOURCEFUL: Finding innovative ways to craft stories that land in the spotlight — and stay there.
CURIOUS: Constantly learning, questioning, and exploring to keep your brand relevant and resonant.
COMPASSIONATE: Kindness and empathy aren’t extras — they’re essentials to finding your brand’s heart.
RESPECTFUL: Integrity and honesty make people feel safe enough to take creative risks
ATTENTIVE: Listening deeply — even to what’s unspoken — reveals the emotional truth behind every brand story.
The Buzz
Paul Wernick, Screenwriter, Deadpool trilogy, Zombieland, and more
I met Joan, whom I nicknamed “Curious” (both because of her inquisitive nature and her love of Curious George), when she was producing an 'Investigative Reports' episode about the news station where I worked. Her tenacity, coupled with her kindness and intelligence, quickly broke down the walls of reporter and subject and ultimately led to a captivating show and a life-long friendship. We worked together on another show, and I was blown away by her storytelling prowess under immense pressure and ability to make even the mundane interesting. Plain and simple, Joan is a wonderful storyteller (ask her about her annual Christmas tale) and altogether human, and I’m excited to see her bring her talents into the world of branding. To quote old Curious George, ‘You never do know what’s around the bend… a big adventure or a brand new friend.’ With Joan you get both!
Denise Contis, Executive Vice President of Prime, CNBC
Joan is one of the most creative and innovative storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working alongside. She is an award-winning producer who has created and managed a list of successful content brands. I recruited Joan when she was a young TV producer and it’s been a joy to see her career soar. She was and is a team player with an insatiable curiosity who never settles for the status quo. Joan has the rare gift of integrity and talent, which is the secret of her impressive track record of success.
Sverre Nordbo, Former Executive Producer and Head of Programming, TV Norge and Discovery Networks Norway
Joan cast over 100 contestants for the Norwegian hit show “Alt for Norge.” For 10 seasons she found and interviewed thousands of potential participants. I have just been in awe of her professionalism and how quickly she got to the heart and nuances of each person’s story which gave us a deep insight into their personalities so we could choose the right combination of cast members to appeal to our audience and make the show successful. I love working with Joan.
Wondering About the Name?
Spotlight Monkey comes from an embarrassing childhood moment involving a circus, a spotlight, and several chimpanzees.
That “humoriliating” experience taught Joan something lasting: truth — in all its glory and horror — makes us human, relatable, and worth remembering.
It’s a lesson she carries into every brand story: real connection starts with authenticity.
Curious?
Joan is always happy to share the whole story — just ask.