Kerstin Emhoff Biography
Kerstin Mackin Emhoff is the CEO and co-founder of PRETTYBIRD, a hybrid production company that creates cutting-edge work that transcends boundaries and lives at the crossroads of branded entertainment, music, sports, technology, film, and television. She was named a finalist for Creativity’s Diversity & Inclusion Champions of the Year for 2021 alongside PRETTYBIRD President Ali Brown.
In addition, she is also the co-founder and CEO of Ventureland, a creative studio and idea accelerator that develops entertainment properties, advertising campaigns, and original IP alongside filmmakers, studios, and brands.
Kerstin went to a film school and after that she moved to LA where she became a waitress. One day she waited on ad guys having dinner who told her, they would get her into the ad business. She turned it down and instead told them she had a dramatic 16mm films and since then she was hooked into the world of short form.
She then started a small production where she did everything for the ad guy which helped her to be a producer. She loved music videos and while she was four months pregnant with her son she worked on Mark Romanek’s Nine Inch Nails ‘Closer’ video. After giving birth she had t0 settle down and be an executive producer.
FAQ’S
| Kerstin Emhoff Age | 57 years old |
| Kerstin Emhoff Nationality | American |
| Kerstin Emhoff Boyfriend | Unknown |
| Kerstin Emhoff Religion | Jewish |
| Kerstin Emhoff Ethnicity | Swedish |
| Kerstin Emhoff Children | Ella and Cole Emhoff |
| What Does Kerstin Emhoff Do for a living | CEO and Co-founder of Prettybird CEO and Co-founder of Ventureland Founder of Pipeline |
| Kerstin Emhoff Net worth | Estimated to be around $13 million. |
Kerstin Emhoff Age and Education
Kerstin was born on March 18, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. There is less information available about her early life and family. Her family, however is mainly of Swedish ancestry.
When she was young, she wanted to be a ballerina and went to performing arts school but she realised she would never be a ballerina and she couldn’t act while she was in high school. She then went to film school. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in film.
Kerstin Emhoff PrettyBird
Kerstin co-founded PrettyBird in 2007 alongside Paul Hunter. She said in an interview that she never wanted to start her own company but wanted to do films and om the other hand Paul had the vision of creating a creative community that would support filmmakers, writers, and creators.
When they launched Kerstin was keen to change the model for the music industry, aiming to bring together musicians and brands. Its roster boasts the likes of Melina Matsoukas, Tim & Eric, Matt Lambert and The Daniels, and it has been involved in all forms of production – from commercials, music videos and features to entertainment and experiential.
The company won the first ever Music Grand Prix at Cannes in 2016 for Beyonce’s ‘Formation’, directed by Melina Matsoukas. Their other accolades includes, multiple wins at Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clios, MTV’s Video of the Year, Grammy and Emmy awards, and being named Ad Age’s Production Company of year – twice – in 2015 and 2021.
Kerstin Emhoff Ventureland
She co-founded Ventureland , a creative studio and idea accelerator that develops entertainment properties, advertising campaigns, and original IP alongside filmmakers, studios, and brands. Her focus on premium production capabilities as well as developing strong relationships with partners across financial, creative, and distribution have helped Ventureland quickly grow into a recognizable name. Some of the Ventureland accolades include Academy Award-nominated Bobi Wine: The People’s President, Sports Emmy-winning The Deepest Breath, and BAFTA-nominated The Rescue.
Kerstin Emhoff Pipeline
Mackin founded Pipeline, a not-for-profit initiative that’s geared towards increasing opportunities in adland for diverse, young people. The organization is in form of an app designed to address and combat the disconnect between underrepresented talent and the entertainment, creative, and tech industries in a meaningful and effective way.
Kerstin Emhoff Husband
Kerstin was married to Douglas Emhoff’s for 16 years, they got married in 1992 and got divorced in 2008. Douglas is currently married to US Vice President Kamala Harris, who he married in 2014 after meeting in 2013.
Douglas is a Second Gentleman who advocates for women’s rights. He is a formerentertainment lawyer at DLA Piper. His clients included a studio executive accused of breach of contract and fraud over a blockbuster film, production companies, a former NFL athlete, a sports nutrition company, and a national brand lotion accused of false advertising.
Kerstin Emhoff Children
The couple have two children; Cole Emhoff and Ella Emhoff.
Cole was born in 1994 and works as a film assistant and producer. He worked in Oscar-nominated film Minari (2020) and in Andy GarcÃa-led romantic comedy Father of the Bride (2022). In 2023, he married his wife Greenley Littlejohn with Kamala Harris as the officiater.
Ella was born in 1999 and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City. She is a model signed to IMG Models. She has done campaigns and runway shows for Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, and Stella McCartney, among others. She also loves knitting and prior to being signed as a model she sold knitted clothing and accessories that she made herself. Her love for knitting saw her launch Soft Hands Inc., which hosts monthly events during which she teaches people how to knit. In June 2024, she signed with veteran talent agency UTA.
Kerstin Emhoff Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is married to Kerstin’s ex-husband Dough Emhoff and is also the step-mother to Kerstin’s two kids. They two have become friends and heve both praised each other publicly. Kerstin supported Kamala Harris during the campaign. She attended the inauguration when Biden-Haris won the presidential race.
In 2019, Kamala wrote an essay for Elle where she reflected on her relationship with Kerstin and credited her for helping to build a strong foundation for their blended family.
The essay read in parts; “To know Cole and Ella is to know that their mother, Kerstin, is an incredible mother. Kerstin and I hit it off ourselves and are dear friends. She and I became a duo of cheerleaders in the bleachers at Ella’s swim meets and basketball games, often to Ella’s embarrassment. We sometimes joke that our modern family is almost a little too functional.”