Toronto-born Jared Kleinstein grew up in Denver before heading to Washington University in St. Louis, where he got his business degree with a double major in marketing and entrepreneurship, and a minor in film. He then worked in New York City before returning to Denver. He lives in the Wash Park area with his wife Melissa, daughters Elle and Ava, and their dog Manny. He just turned 37 this week. Happy Birthday!
Are you a member of a synagogue or active in any Jewish organizations?
HEA. We also love going to Emanuel to hear Rabbi Emily Hyatt speak.
I’ve been involved with Denver Jewish Day School as a board member, and I try to support the JCC, ADL, federation and pretty much any Jewish organization locally.
What do you do for work?
I’m the founder of two companies: Fresh Tape Media, a creative production agency, and Gondola, a platform for creators to track and showcase their work across social media.
How does Gondola work?
Gondola allows creators to take credit for their work across social platforms by tagging themselves and collaborators. It collects, organizes and displays this content in an accessible format, helping creators showcase their portfolio.
What is its value?
It helps creators build their reputation, measure their impact and gain visibility for future opportunities. It’s a centralized way to capture and quantify creative contributions that might otherwise be lost in the fast-paced world of social media. Easiest way to describe it: Somewhere between IMDB for creators (as a system for credits on social media) and LinkedIn for the creative community.
Many decry the impact of social media on discourse. What’s your take?
Maybe I’m naive/indoctrinated/it’s my work so it would be weird for me to hate on it, but I am grateful and optimistic about the impact of social media on society despite its pitfalls. It democratizes information and provides a platform for underrepresented voices, and it fosters communities of support and creativity, especially in niche areas.
It’s still a pretty new industry, so some of its biggest issues (moderation, age-restriction and limitations, abuse, etc.) may take time to find industry standard solutions. For every piece of misinformation shared on social, I still am grateful for the depth of true information from different perspectives.
I’m an extrovert and I am so grateful for how it’s kept me in touch with my friends around the world. That was what blew my mind about Facebook in 2006, and it continues to be something wonderful. I feel like I know more about my friends’ lives than I ever would without it, and I feel connected no matter where we’ve gone.
Favorite meme?
“Look at all these chickens” was my favorite Vine meme back in the day, and it still makes me laugh.
Tell us about your Canadian background.
I’ve always felt more Canadian than American. I spent every summer at a Jewish summer camp north of Toronto (Camp White Pine), and almost all of my extended family as well as older siblings are still in Toronto or British Columbia.
Growing up, my friends at Herzl-RMHA (now DJDS) made it very clear that I was Canadian and teased me playfully about it, so I embraced it. Weirdly, being Canadian is like having an exotic background that excites people, but the only thing that makes it exotic is simply that I’m more apologetic, say “eh?” and pronounce “tomorrow” and “pasta” a bit differently.
What’s your hockey team?
Despite being born in Toronto, I will always be an Avs fan. I grew up on Forsberg-Sakic-Roy. The Avs will always be my favorite team in any sport.
What is meaningful to you about being Jewish?
I was raised in a way where Judaism wasn’t presented as a duty; it was something full of joy that I was lucky to be a part of. The history and traditions are so steeply rooted to your family and those who came before you, as well as being together with the community in order to engage in the religion — for example, you need a minyan more than you need to just daven alone. I think of the holidays as opportunities to be with people I love and sing songs that connect me with my past. Sorry to the shuls I’ve been to if that opportunity to connect means I shmooze when I should be quietly davening. I can’t help myself.
How did Oct. 7 impact your Jewish identity?
It’s been complicated. I didn’t make me feel more connected with Israel (I studied in Herzliya, and have visited often), though I’m grateful that it had that impact on others. The backlash definitely shook me to my core about the realities of anti-Semitism, and has made me want to pronounce my Judaism more loudly despite what’s happening in the world.
At the same time, I hate how the war has overshadowed some of the problems in Israel that were surfacing before Oct. 7, including judicial reform and Netanyahu. I hope we come out of it soon and with more clarity about how the country we love can be more of a beacon for the world, where right now it feels like not enough people are seeing that.
Who has been an inspiring figure in your life?
In very different ways — my dad was my role model and best friend. He showed me how work and life can co-exist in a way that doesn’t slow down either and makes both enjoyable. The other is Max Martin, a Swedish music producer who’s written more #1 hits than anyone other than Paul McCartney. Despite that, he can just live his life without being bothered. That’s the kind of success I dream of; having massive impact but staying under the radar (yes, I see the irony in saying this in an interview recognizing me).
What are you currently reading?
I just finished Hyperion, a 1980s sci-fi novel, and am starting the Gates of Gaza, by Amir Tibon.
What TV series are you watching?
I pretty much just watch “Bluey” all day. If any parents say they’re watching it for their kids, they’re not. It’s the best, and it’s made for us.
What do you do in your free time?
I love skiing, golfing, playing beer league hockey, going to Nuggets, Avalanche and Broncos games, and living the good ole’ daily life with my family.
Guilty pleasure?
Buying sports cards from TikTok Live streams late at night. It’s a bizarre combination of appreciating modern technology and the nostalgia hit of buying cards that reminds me of my childhood. And it feels like an investment, or so I tell myself.
If you weren’t doing this job, what would you do?
I’m obsessed with my job so it’s tough to say, but I’d love to be a song writer, children’s author or ski mountain guide.
Favorite spot in Colorado?
I love Edwards, which is close to the ski mountains but has a local feel.
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