From Financial Advisor to Movie Magic: How Scott DiGiammarino Revolutionized Leadership with MovieComm
Scott DiGiammarino’s journey from a financial advisor to a groundbreaking entrepreneur is nothing short of cinematic (pun intended). It all started at American Express, where Scott initially focused on building a solid client base. But his knack for leadership didn't go unnoticed—his boss suggested he train others, and that’s how he stepped into management. Soon, he was more than just a manager—out of 800 managers across the U.S., Scott reigned as the top performer for three consecutive years.
After earning a promotion, Scott had the chance to take over a region of his choice. He picked the Washington, D.C. metro area, which at the time was ranked a dismal 167 out of 182. The office was riddled with negativity, a lack of structure, and a "meh" attitude toward work. Scott, being Scott, immediately turned things around. He made some tough decisions—letting go of 18 out of the original 32 people—and introduced structure, positivity, and systems that could actually work.
In just one year, that struggling region skyrocketed from 167th place to first. Not only did it claim the top spot, but it stayed there for over two decades. The secret? Building a sense of community. Scott crafted this by sending out weekly emails featuring movie clips centered around themes like courage, leadership, or teamwork. He wasn’t just quoting motivational one-liners either—he’d ask employees for personal stories about times they embodied these qualities. Nearly 300 stories would come pouring in every week, none of them about business, but all of them about life. And this sense of connectedness? It wasn’t just feel-good fluff. It directly impacted the firm’s success, boosting both hard numbers like profitability and soft metrics like employee engagement. Even consulting giant McKinsey took notice.
That’s when Scott had a lightbulb moment—what if anyone could use the magic of movie clips to inspire and connect? And thus, MovieComm was born. Scott knew he needed the right licenses to make this dream come to life, so he spent nine relentless years cold-calling movie studios. Finally, Universal gave him a shot, and after a meeting where the execs probably thought he was a little crazy, he left Amex to focus entirely on his new venture.
Over the next three years, Scott immersed himself in watching 1,600 movies (yes, really) and meticulously built a giant spreadsheet cataloging movie scenes. With the help of a tech team in D.C., he transformed that spreadsheet into a website—MovieComm’s first minimum viable product. At first, they aimed for a narrow market, but the demand quickly expanded. People saw the potential to use these clips in classrooms, for mental health support, and much more. The possibilities were endless.
Now, Scott is gearing up for his next move—launching multiple product lines, all based on MovieComm’s AI-powered clip search database. What started as a leadership tool has evolved into a platform with limitless potential to inspire and motivate in ways no one ever imagined.
Scott DiGiammarino’s journey is packed with valuable leadership and entrepreneurial lessons. From building a positive culture and making tough decisions to embracing innovation and persistence, his story offers actionable insights. His focus on community, people, and creativity transformed challenges into long-term success. Here are some key lessons from his experience:
1. Embrace Leadership Opportunities
Scott didn’t just stick to his role as a financial advisor—he took on the challenge to lead and mentor others. Leadership isn’t always about the position you hold but the impact you make by helping others grow.
2. Create a Positive Culture
When Scott took over a struggling region, he didn’t just focus on numbers—he focused on the people. By building a community through storytelling and inspiration, he created a culture that turned around a failing team and kept them at the top for 20 years.
3. Be Willing to Make Tough Decisions
Success often requires difficult choices. Scott wasn’t afraid to remove people who didn’t fit his vision, which paved the way for positive change and greater results.
4. Innovate by Thinking Outside the Box
By tapping into the emotional power of films, Scott connected with people in a unique way, building engagement and morale that extended beyond the office.
5. Persevere in the Face of Rejection
Scott spent nine years cold-calling movie studios before landing a deal with Universal. His perseverance shows that persistence is often the key to success, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
6. Identify and Leverage Your ‘Secret Sauce’
Scott's ability to build community through shared experiences became the "secret sauce" that propelled his team to success. Identifying what makes your approach unique can differentiate you from others and drive sustainable growth.
7. Pivot and Expand
Moviecom started with a narrow focus but expanded as Scott recognized new opportunities. Flexibility and openness to new ideas allow for growth beyond the original vision.
8. Focus on People, Not Just Profits
While profitability is important, Scott showed that employee engagement and leadership impact are just as crucial. Creating a healthy, engaged team can have a long-lasting effect on business success.
Scott DiGiammarino’s path from a top-performing financial advisor to the founder of MovieComm shows the power of leadership, perseverance, and innovation. By focusing on people, creating a strong culture, and thinking outside the box, he transformed his teams and turned an idea into a groundbreaking company. His story is a testament to the impact of community and creativity in achieving lasting success. Whether in business or leadership, Scott’s journey serves as a powerful example of how determination and vision can shape a thriving career and inspire others.