She Writes, She Directs, She Creates: Women Powering the IP Universe

Once upon a time, there was a far-off galaxy dominated by male IPs — Bond, Batman, Bourne, you name it. But then, a supernova of creativity exploded, illuminating the cosmos with an array of new stars — these IPs were created by, you guessed it, women!

We’ve seen a meteoric rise in Intellectual Properties (IPs) created by women in the last few years. Our collective narrative universe is getting richer, more diverse, and more inclusive thanks to these women, who have stepped onto the stage of IP creation with confidence, creativity, and finesse.

Take, for instance, “Harry Potter”, the wizarding world that has captured hearts globally. The wand-wielder behind this IP is J.K. Rowling, who, with her magical words and intricate plotting, brought Harry and his world to life. The result? A globally celebrated IP with spin-offs, movies, merchandise, theme parks, and a fanbase that continues to grow even two decades after the first book’s publication. ( I know about the transphobic comments, but I focus on achievement in this article).

On the small screen, we have the likes of Shonda Rhimes, the veritable queen of network television. From “Grey’s Anatomy” to “Scandal” and “Bridgerton”, Rhimes has spun narratives that captivate audiences around the world. Her unique blend of drama, character development, and timely dialogue has resulted in IPs that continue to be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

In the realm of comics, we have “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi, a poignant, semi-autobiographical graphic novel that was later adapted into an animated film. It’s an exploration of identity, culture, and politics, a unique IP that challenges conventions and offers a fresh perspective.

The gaming world has also seen IPs crafted by women. Roberta Williams, co-founder of Sierra On-Line, gave us “King’s Quest”, a pioneering adventure game that set the tone for many future IPs in the genre. And I have to amid — Roberta Williams has probably the most influence on me as a storyteller.

And let’s not forget the recent meteoric rise of IPs in the Web3 space, with women creators playing a significant role. Larva Labs, the team behind CryptoPunks, includes software developer Leandro Ostera. CryptoPunks, one of the first NFTs, are paving the way for a new era of IP and content creation.

These women are just a fraction of the constellation of creators crafting diverse and compelling IPs. They’ve navigated through the galaxies of their respective mediums, often pushing boundaries and defying norms. Their work inspires countless others to explore their creative cosmos, sparking a chain reaction that promises an exciting and diverse future for IP creation.

So, whether it’s the enchanting world of Hogwarts, the riveting halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, or the pixelated charm of King’s Quest, one thing is clear — when it comes to creating compelling IPs, women are truly rocking the universe!

“And as the starlight fades, a new dawn breaks. It’s a universe bursting with ideas, stories, and voices — diverse, powerful, and infinitely creative. And in this universe, she writes, she directs, she creates, she shines!”