vision + inspiration

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Founded by Jonah Zeiger, who led the Chicago Film Office for the City of Chicago during its recent record-setting years, CHIMEA is a new kind of business development agency designed to connect the creative ecosystem of Chicago and Illinois with partners, talent, and projects from across the industry. CHIMEA serves as the premiere point of connection for studios, streamers, independent producers, media companies, and service providers who want to connect, do business, and create content in and around Chicago, throughout Illinois, and beyond.

CHIMEA is inspired by a vision of Chicago and Illinois as a driving force for innovation in America's media and entertainment industry. This region has long served as America's creative laboratory—from prototyping the Hollywood studio in the silent era to pioneering unscripted television, social impact documentary, and sketch comedy, and more.  Over the last half-century, countless iconic films and television series were made here that continue as both beloved cultural references and revenue streams. Yet too many talents formed here have had to leave to advance their careers or create projects of scale and impact.

Today, the region has nearly all the necessary ingredients to become a true global hub for media and entertainment. However, it has always lacked one key element: agency and connectivity with the broader industry—the matchmaking, packaging, and negotiation that enable new projects to achieve success. This is where CHIMEA enters the picture: a new kind of business development agency that is flexible, additive, and necessary.

CHIMEA will work alongside all civic partners and industry stakeholders as a connector and lead point of contact with the private sector. As a private company with a public mission, CHIMEA will offer services to both internal and external stakeholders, scaled for mutual benefit and long-term sustainability, with a strategic perspective on the future of media and entertainment.  CHIMEA is designed to be the go-to private-sector partner for companies and projects looking to leverage the Chicago and Illinois ecosystem efficiently and affordably, while serving as a central point of connection and market intelligence for the local industry.

While the multi-trillion dollar global media and entertainment industry is predicted to grow significantly over the next decade, it faces unprecedented disruption and change from mergers, technology, and decentralization. The moment is now for Chicago and Illinois to once again lead through innovation and collaboration. CHIMEA will interface with the commercial industry based on the values that define its birthplace: collaboration, community, creativity, and mutual respect. For the next chapter, Chicago and Illinois will not only have a seat at the table—it will build its own table and invite others to join.