BROOK HORN, SR. DIRECTOR - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CREATIVE
As Senior Director of Business Development and Creative, Brook Horn is responsible for “quarterbacking” the new business proposal and concepting process at CSM Production. In her role, she oversees our Creative Services department and Business Development and Communications members while developing clients and new business opportunities alongside the various event teams within CSM Production. She seeks the challenge of balancing the company’s needs and competencies and pushing beyond the box—Fusing reality with concept.
Despite growing up near Bristol Motor Speedway in Greeneville, Tenn., Brook Horn had never attended a NASCAR Race before her first job in motorsports. A graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in Broadcasting and Communications, Horn worked in producing local news for two years before deciding to seek a new path in production. She joined the Motor Racing Network as an intern in 2002 before shifting to a full-time producer role for the NASCAR in-venue big screen entertainment program shortly thereafter. As MRN moved their operations from Daytona International Speedway to the Charlotte area in 2007, she moved with the company, before beginning her role at CSM Production in October 2014.
Brook and her husband, Ryan currently live in Kannapolis, N.C. They have a son, Riley, who attends N.C. State University and is majoring in Engineering.
TEN QUESTIONS WITH BROOK
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“You can fail at what you don’t want. So you might as well take a chance at doing what you love.” - Jim Carrey.
What’s one thing on your bucket list you’ve yet to accomplish?
I just need to travel more. I would love to take a trip to Europe - Italy or Greece is top of the list. Even more realistic, there are plenty of trips within the United States that I want to take. I just want to see the beauty of the world.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working at CSM Production?
Other than just the camaraderie with the people, equal to that is the excitement of seeing something that you’ve poured your thoughts, concepts and vision into come to life on a large scale. When you just stop and think for a minute about all the things you touch and seeing it come to life, that’s mind blowing.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I knew from late middle school on that I wanted to be in video production. If YouTube, Vine and TikTok existed at the time, I would have been all over it. When I was really little, I remember wanting to being an astronaut.
If you had your own late night talk show, who would the first guest be?
I’m a huge Jason Mraz fan. I’d have him come perform and talk to him. Same with Bruno Mars. I’d need funny guests - Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Hart. Comedy and Music - that’s what I’d focus on the most.
What is your current cell phone background?
My lock screen is a Divi Divi tree, from when we went to Aruba. My wallpaper is from a hike on the Black Balsam Knob in the Appalachian Mountains.
What’s your favorite sandwich?
I’m an adventurous eater. I like to try a lot of different things and different flavors. I can’t limit myself to one type, but it would be a grilled sandwich on sourdough bread. I need my sandwiches to be elevated a little bit and can’t do just typical cold cuts on white bread.
If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?
Having to commute. Even though it’s only 25 minutes each way, If I could sleep later or use that time better, it’d be great.
If you could learn one new skill, personal or professional, what would it be?
The first thing that comes to mind is learning a second language well. I started during the pandemic, but then worked picked up again. Probably Spanish, because I connect the most with it and it’s a skill I would likely use fairly regularly.
What are some songs on the soundtrack to your life?
"Have It All" by Jason Mraz, because it captures my sentiments as a mom/ "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green was the song we played right after Ryan and I were married and danced down the aisle between our families, and then 90's Hip Hop, as a whole. is such a big piece of me... it's pure happiness in my soul.