Influential Woman · Marketing, Public Relations, Film and Television Production
Antoinette Love Ransom- MBA
Director of Marketing And Public Relations, Exhibit Ambush Consulting
San Diego, CA 92129
Her Story
About Antoinette
Antoinette Love Ransom is a dynamic producer, creative executive, and brand strategist whose career spans more than two decades across entertainment, fashion, media, and marketing. Born in Springfield, Missouri, and raised in Kansas City, she began her journey in the arts through theater—both on stage as an actress and behind the scenes building sets. Her early talent earned her awards for her performances as Inez Serrano in No Exit and the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, establishing a strong foundation in storytelling and performance.
In the early 2000s, Ransom relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. She quickly gained traction as a professional dancer and actress, touring nationally and working alongside major artists including Lil’ Kim, Usher, and Puff Daddy, while also appearing in television, game shows, independent films, and soap operas. During this time, she landed national commercial campaigns with Carl’s Jr. and Colgate, helping to sustain her early career while building her presence in the industry.
A pivotal injury during a high-profile audition in Las Vegas for a well-known performer redirected her path, leading her to expand her talents beyond performance. She returned to school and earned her BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Fashion Design and Garment Construction, training in Los Angeles and transitioning into behind-the-scenes creative roles. She began with an internship at The Tyra Banks Show, later working as a stylist for Nordstrom Studio Services at CBS Studios. She further expanded her influence in fashion by interning with Mercedes-Benz/IMG and producing runway shows in both New York and Los Angeles during the height of Fashion Week’s cultural impact.
In 2009, Ransom founded her production company, Exhibit Ambush, transforming her vision into a large-scale creative platform that fused fashion, art, and live performance. Her debut event drew thousands of attendees, exceeding capacity and earning celebrity sponsorship, including support from RuPaul. Over the next seven years, she produced high-impact events in partnership with organizations such as Susan G. Komen, Habitat for Humanity, and the Amazon Foundation, donating 100% of ticket proceeds to charitable causes while generating substantial revenue through sponsorships and VIP experiences. Her work became known for its unique ability to merge creativity with purpose and measurable impact. By 2012, Ransom expanded her operations with a dedicated creative workspace in downtown San Diego, while simultaneously holding leadership roles in other industries—including managing large teams as a Pit Boss at Valley View Casino—demonstrating her exceptional range as both a creative and operational leader.
After transitioning fully back into media and entertainment, Ransom stepped into the role of Hollywood Correspondent in 2018, interviewing celebrities on the red carpet at major industry events including the BET Awards, Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Celebrity Fundraising Events in Beverly Hills, the AAFCA Awards, the MTV Music Awards, and numerous film festivals. This experience sharpened her expertise in talent relations, media positioning, and pitching to major networks while building and leading cohesive production teams.
In 2020, she reached a major milestone when she received the green light to produce a television pilot for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Working alongside multiple production companies, she helped develop and pitch unscripted television concepts to networks including Bravo, Lifetime, HBO, and Showtime. Although production was halted after three episodes due to the global pandemic, the experience solidified her trajectory in television development.
During the pandemic, Ransom once again demonstrated her ability to pivot—earning her MBA in Business Administration with a focus in Strategic Marketing while building a successful marketing, branding, and public relations consultancy. Her client portfolio includes major brands and public figures such as Starbucks, Macy’s, Austin Martin & The Herd, Simply Delish, Daily Harvest Express, and more. Through her work, she helps clients elevate their visibility, secure media placements, and drive measurable growth. In 2025, Ransom made a powerful return to her lifelong passion—film production. She is currently developing and pitching multiple projects in partnership with Eris Entertainment, Ardvella Entertainment, and The Cinedicate Films, with collaborations and talent attachments involving industry icons such as Al Pacino, Will Smith, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Kate Beckinsale, Eddie Murphy, Kathy Bates, and Snoop Dogg. Her goal is to successfully finance and bring a major film project to market by the end of 2026.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ransom is a devoted mother of two young boys who inspire her daily. Her journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and vision—proving that true influence is not only about success, but about the ability to create opportunities, uplift others, and leave a lasting impact across industries.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Antoinette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the work ethic I developed at a very young age. I come from a family of hardworking, blue-collar entrepreneurs—my grandparents built a janitorial company from the ground up with very little, eventually growing it into a successful business that employed much of our family. As children, we were expected to be part of that journey. I remember being seven or eight years old, emptying trash cans, sweeping floors, and helping maintain the offices they serviced. Those early experiences instilled in me a deep sense of discipline, responsibility, and pride in hard work. That foundation carried with me through high school, where I balanced sports, school, work, and church—learning early on how to manage my time and stay committed to my goals. I’ve carried that same discipline into my adult life, and it continues to shape how I approach everything I do. Today, I pass those same values on to my sons, reminding them that success doesn’t come easy. You have to be a self-starter, remain disciplined, and have unwavering faith. Those three qualities—work ethic, discipline, and faith—are what truly make anything possible.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The people who inspired me most were my grandparents. As business owners, they showed me firsthand what it meant to build something from nothing, and from a very young age, I knew I wanted to be my own boss and have that same sense of freedom and ownership. I was also deeply inspired by Oprah Winfrey—seeing a woman who looked like me succeed at the highest level in broadcasting made me believe that it was possible for me, too.
Another pivotal influence in my life came when I was 15 years old, working at McDonald’s. Two missionaries walked in and, through their kindness and compassion, showed me what unconditional love truly feels like. They taught me humility and helped me understand that sharing the word of Jesus was part of my purpose. That experience gave my life direction at a very young age and grounded me in something greater than myself.
Because of those influences, I often say that success is built on three foundational pillars: a loving home, a strong spiritual base, and access to advanced education or tutoring. When young people are supported in those areas, they are equipped not only to succeed, but to lead with purpose, resilience, and faith.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage aspiring creatives to think carefully before taking on significant student loan debt for film or art school. While formal education can have value, my experience taught me that the most impactful learning often happens in real-world environments. Interning under experienced professionals, gaining hands-on experience, and working your way up can provide a far more practical and relevant education. In my own journey, I realized that many of the critical skills needed in this industry—especially pitching projects, navigating high-level meetings, and understanding how deals are structured—aren’t always taught in the classroom. Those are lessons I learned through experience, trial and error, and persistence. Sitting in rooms with major studios like Warner Bros. or Paramount requires a level of preparation and business acumen that can only truly be developed in the field. My advice is to seek mentorship, learn from professionals who are actively working in the industry, and build your knowledge through experience. There are multiple paths to success, and you don’t necessarily have to go into significant debt to build a meaningful and successful career in this space.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges has been the long-term impact of the pandemic, which halted production on projects—including a pilot I was working on—and created delays in financing and contract execution. Additionally, shifting political and market conditions have slowed certain aspects of travel and production. However, there are still strong opportunities in pitching and developing projects. Once financing and commissions are secured, there is significant potential to move forward and bring creative visions to life. Hollywood has shifted in the past five years. It's no longer the go to spot to make movies in the US, now more productions are filming internationally because it's cost effective.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me are discipline, hard work, family, faith, and being a self-starter. I believe in putting in the effort, staying grounded, and maintaining a strong sense of purpose. My faith and family keep me centered, while my drive and independence push me to keep creating, building, and pursuing the goals I’ve set for myself.
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