Shelly Palmer - Early Career

Early Career

After graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1979 with a B.A. in direction and production of film and television, Palmer’s first full-time job was as a staff composer and producer for Don Elliot Productions.

By 1982, Palmer had raised enough money to build a digital recording studio, one of the first in the world. He opened Shelton Leigh Palmer & Co., which had principle offices and studios located on East 57th Street in New York City. His company primarily serviced the top 25 AAAA advertising agencies. Palmer also started a small electronic mail and BBS company called Musicom to enable touring musicians, tour operators and concert promoters to communicate using portable computers and modems over telephone lines.

Shelton Leigh Palmer & Co. (soon to become known as SLP&Co.) quickly became busy, composing music for companies like Burger King, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, AT&T and Meow Mix, among others. By 1986, the company built Creative Audio Recording Services, the world’s first commercial tapeless digital audio studios in Midtown Manhattan. That year SLP&Co. started creating and producing music videos and television commercials as well.

In the late 1980s, SLP&Co. branched out again, this time to full service advertising. Palmer became creative director and agency of record for Seagram’s Soft Drinks, No Excuses Jeans and Candie’s Shoes, among others.