• Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023
Kate Soczka joins Uppercut as EP in Atlanta
Kate Soczka
ATLANTA -- 

Post house Uppercut has brought Kate Soczka aboard as executive producer in Atlanta. 

Soczka moved to Atlanta from Chicago in 2020, where she cultivated her creative career including serving as head of production at Carbon and producing for brands such as MillerCoors, Constellation Brands, KitchenAid, Jeep, Capital One, Lululemon, and Cars.com. Partnering with agencies and marketing companies, Soczka established herself as a collaborative partner for on-set production, post-production, and live events.  

Most recently, she held tenure as the video operations lead for The Coca-Cola Company Creative Studios, where she managed studio operations, creative production, and development of international creative teams producing internal and social messaging.   

Soczka said, “I’m looking forward to leading the Uppercut powerhouse in the South while cultivating the creative community this area offers. We’ve got an incredible working space at The Works and I envision Uppercut as a collaborative leader in this market for innovative storytelling.”

“Kate is an incredible leader,” says Micah Scarpelli, editor and owner of Uppercut. “She’s truly done everything as a producer in the ad space and has such a rich history in postproduction as well. She’s authentic in how much she cares about the artists, teams, and clients she works with. She wants people to know they’re valued and support their growth and does it all while steering the ship toward excellence and producing incredible work.”

Uppercut maintains operations in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Uppercut launched in NYC in 2015 and has continued to grow its boutique postproduction offerings, building out a roster of diverse creative talent as well as expanding its offerings into VFX and launching its partner music company, Racket Club. 

  • Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
Creative director Kevin Cabuli joins Los York
Kevin Cabuli
LOS ANGELES -- 

Creative studio Los York has hired creative director Kevin Cabuli.

Originally from Argentina where he worked for many years with Ponce, the Buenos Aires affiliate of MullenLowe, and Madre Buenos Aires (aka Mother), Cabuli has seen his work lionized at Cannes and gain prominence in homes across the U.S., LATAM, Asian and European markets. His body of work includes “Melting Icon,” “Pleasureverse,” “Miley’s Touch” and “Mozart by Magnum,” to name just a few for Magnum. Cabuli helped Dove adapt “Real Beauty” to gamer culture in the “Real Virtual Beauty” campaign. For Axe, among many global campaigns, Cabuli promoted vaccinations as “super hot” for guys looking to hookup, and placed pop-up “Axeination Centers” next to vaccination centers.

“Los York doesn’t fit an obvious mold, and neither do the people who make up our team. It really takes a special type of creative to fit in, and feel at home with us,” commented Scott Hidinger, executive creative director. “We searched long and hard for a talent like Kevin and I’m genuinely thrilled to have him on board. His body of work is clever, design-driven and on trend, and I can’t wait to see his brain in action. He’s a huge add.”

“I’ve been following Los York for years,” said Cabuli. “I confess, I’ve borrowed and quoted their work in my own. They are now giving me this incredible opportunity and challenge to move away from big agencies where I’ve been my entire career and go full indie, working with a small and diverse creative team, including designers, animators, VFX supervisors, creative directors and directors. I also have experience in design, art direction, photography and film directing. At Los York I hope to practice these crafts too and start getting some cool things done, which is exactly what Los York does. They get things done.” 

“This is a long time coming for Los York but definitely worth the wait,” said Seth Epstein, Los York founder. “Kevin will help Los York continue to grow as a new creative and production model in the advertising industry, offering brands a small but mighty creative partner that works end to end with agility to address fast-moving consumers. Kevin is a true global nomad of the arts and creative hybrid of the highest caliber. He has something to prove and so do we. ”

At Los York Cabuli will provide leadership for the shop’s long-term relationship with Motorola, while also contributing to other brand-direction pitches and projects. Its Motorola partnership has evolved over time into a new kind of agency relationship, cheekily dubbed internally as Los Moto; a close-hold modern creative collaboration that provides end to end services for the brand from strategy through execution.

  • Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
Blue Table Post adds colorist Vincent Taylor
Vincent Taylor
BROOKLYN, NY -- 

Blue Table Post continues to expand its creative collective with the addition of colorist Vincent Taylor whose work spans long-form dramas, features and commercials. Taylor is repped on a nonexclusive basis by Blue Table. 

Additionally, Blue Table has forged an alliance with two studios in Los Angeles for in-person sessions where Taylor is based, along with collaborations at Blue Table’s Brooklyn studio. Taylor will soon commence his first project via Blue Table Post--the indie drama Park Avenue from director Gaby Dellal.

“I have known Vincent for many years and am an admirer of his deep talent and the cinematic style. Moreover, as anyone who knows him can attest, he is an upbeat, enthusiastic collaborator who loves a creative challenge,” said Blue Table Post founder/editor Oliver Lief. “His addition to Blue Table Post, along with the alliance with Light Benders and Fancy, means we can bring that vibrant experience to clients coast to coast.”

Taylor shared, “I am delighted to collaborate with Oliver and Blue Table Post, and to be surrounded by people who I genuinely enjoy, are overflowing with experience, and share my appreciation for building stories together. That’s the beauty of this industry in its highest form.”

Taylor began his career in Australia as an award-winning cinematographer earning 12 awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society. His journey crossed over from the camera to color where he is able to utilize his lighting skills and storytelling in the postproduction arena. His inaugural tenure was at Deluxe, working in commercial and drama television, as well as numerous music video, documentary, and theatrical projects.

Following Deluxe, Taylor ran the commercial color department at MPC in Shanghai for three years working on Airbnb’s first TVC launch in China and spearheading color for major campaigns including Bentley, BMW, Coca-Cola, Sky TV, Mercedes, L’Oréal, and Johnny Walker. He then moved to New York where he worked for two years as head of color for Chimney North America before returning to MPC in New York as a sr. colorist. Taylor lives in Los Angeles where he most recently worked with The Harbor Picture Company.

Well versed in remote working, both Taylor and the team at Blue Table Post are united in creating the community that comes with in person connections and collaborations. To support this goal, Vincent is available to work via Blue Table Post’s Brooklyn studio and at the two Southern California locations--LightBenders in Santa Monica, and Fancy Film in Silver Lake. 

In addition to his work on a variety of projects, Taylor channels his passion for color as the host of “The Color Timer Podcast.” In each episode, he interviews professionals in the world of media and beyond who work with color from art directors, to DPs to tattoo artists.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
Tia Perkins joins Harbor as head of production for advertising
Tia Perkins
NEW YORK -- 

Harbor has added Tia Perkins as head of production, advertising. Her work ranges from large-scale international productions, such as the CG “Chantix Turkey,” to live-action and interactive campaigns for brands like HP, Gatorade, and M&Ms. Among other major brands Perkins has connected with are Estee Lauder, Jack Daniels, Nissan, American Express and Lululemon.

Prior to joining Harbor, Perkins had tenures at The Mill and Carbon. In her two years as head of production at Carbon, she oversaw successful campaigns for Xfinity, Verizon, Sweet Tarts, and Clermont Whiskey. She also liaised with ECD and heads of department on resource management, internal workflow, client pitches, and job oversights. As for her 12 years at the Mill, Perkins partnered with top-tier brands and industry luminaries. As sr. content producer for Mill+, she played a pivotal role in establishing the content studio’s in-house directorial offering.
 
Her commitment to workplace inclusivity led her to create the “What’s Next” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion group, providing a platform for BIPOC voices and fostering a sense of belonging within the workplace. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated mentor, spearheading internship programs and nurturing emerging talent in the industry.

On her new role at Harbor, Perkins stated, “I’ve been seeking to join a place that is making waves in advertising. The more I heard the name Harbor, the more curious I became to see if this was the place I could call home. Harbor not only has premium talent, but they share a common vision/goal that everyone is working towards. It makes you want to be here and be a part of it. “ 

Tony Robins, Harbor’s managing director, advertising, added, “I am excited that Tia is joining as our head of production, bringing her skill and experience to lead our production team, guiding them to place a high premium on the clients’ experience.” 

  • Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023
Tita Poe joins Los York Studio as exec producer
Tita Poe
LOS ANGELES -- 

Creative studio Los York has hired Tita Poe as executive producer. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Poe previously held the head of production role at Brand New School where she oversaw an array of design-driven creative strategy, production and post projects. Prior to that Poe was head of production at Visual Creatures, a studio focused on character-driven 2D and 3D animation projects, VFX-intensive jobs and editorial/finishing. 

She joins LOS YORK as it accelerates and expands its position in the industry as a hybrid creative studio staffed with “creative nomads;” a collective of designers and creatives, producers, editors, animators and film directors, creating global advertising campaigns as partners to leading brands and agencies.

“We were immediately captivated by Tita’s enthusiasm and dedication to fostering world-class talent and creative,” said Los York managing director Melina Osornio-Andrade. “Her addition to the team continues our growth at Los York as we bolster our studio and continue delivering exceptional work” 

“LOS YORK is in an exciting phase right now,” said Poe. “They’re building a 2.0 version of the studio, doing a big push to expand and push incredible work out there. It’s really inspiring. The culture is amazing. They’re my people. We’re creating an extraordinary future together.”

Poe brings to Los York a dozen plus years of experience partnering with brands including Apple, Netflix, Google, Toyota, Meta, AT&T and T-Mobile. Early in her career she worked with RadicalMedia as a sr. post producer supervising teams of editors and story producers, and managing all aspects of finishing. Her production and postproduction resume runs the gamut from commercials, branded content and music videos (which includes producing VFX for Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning “Humble” video), to premium television docu-series and animated shorts.

“I’ve worked both with agencies and direct to brand, which is what Los York does so well and is one of the reasons why we clicked,” said Poe. “My approach is to forge partnerships where everyone from the artists to the agencies and brands are happy and working smoothly. That’s what I’ll be doing with Los York, including helping foster an overall supportive and productive creative culture. I’m ready, and I’m psyched.” 

  • Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023
LOBO promotes Loic Dubois to chief growth officer
Loic Dubois
NEW YORK & SAO PAULO -- 

Loic Dubois has been promoted to chief growth officer at LOBO, an animation and production studio with bases of operation in New York City and Sao Paulo.

Dubois’ deep connection with LOBO can be traced back to the year 2000, when he started in humble beginnings as a broadcast producer before his path shortly led him to LOBO’s chief creative officer/founder Mateus De Paula Santos. Dubois quickly progressed from small spot production to assisting and producing more major work directly alongside De Paula Santos.

In the ensuing years, Dubois’ responsibilities at LOBO steadily increased and he would eventually take on the role of international executive producer, collaborating with agencies such as TBWA/Paris (including on the global marketing campaign for the  McDonald’s “Happy” character), Publicis, Havas, BBH London, 180 Amsterdam, Kessels & Kramer, Ogilvy & Mather NY, BBDO Energy, McCann Erickson, Arnold Worldwide, and Deutsch LA, among others. This experience would lead him to the position of global head of production, which he would hold until 2016 before eventually pivoting into focusing on new business opportunities on a global scale.

As chief growth officer, Dubois will wear many hats at LOBO, including overseeing the European, Middle Eastern, Asia and North American markets, with a focus on identifying emerging trends and technological advancements that present new opportunities for the organization. In addition, he will be tasked with optimizing internal communication within the organization by, for instance, introducing innovative methods to showcase core creative strengths, and also performing a comprehensive evaluation of the metrics associated with LOBO’s social media platforms and its financial data analysis.

Dubois observed, “The title of chief growth officer encapsulates a modernized version of the traditional role of a marketing director, but with a heightened emphasis on global strategic planning. This includes monitoring and adapting to evolving cultural behaviors and market trends, thereby facilitating our brands in reaching new audiences and clients through a more globally-oriented positioning strategy. This is especially pertinent given the dynamic changes occurring in the realms of entertainment, animation, live action, digital media, and emerging technologies.”

With a high-level goal to further develop LOBO’s global footprint, Dubois laid out the creative studio’s vision and priorities, specifically in terms of growth. “Our vision encompasses both external expansion and internal development. Externally, we aim to enhance our production capabilities through strategic partnerships and the establishment of new divisions in the live action advertising side but also entertainment and maybe gaming sectors. This approach is crucial given the ever-evolving advertising landscape shaped by social media and the changing preferences and demands of our audience.”

Dubois added, “My vision is to reestablish LOBO as a dominant force not only in the US market but also to bestow upon it a larger footprint and a more commanding presence in Europe and the Middle East and Asian regions. This entails a strategic expansion effort that encompasses both market penetration and brand recognition across these critical territories. With an in-depth understanding of LOBO and proficiency in multiple languages, I’m well-equipped to showcase our creative prowess and cultivate new opportunities in these regions.  In this context, our partnership with Michael Stanish from GroundControl in London, established post-pandemic, symbolizes our commitment to this expansion endeavor. Here’s where my expertise becomes particularly valuable. This expertise will play a crucial role in driving our growth and solidifying our position as a global creative leader.”

LOBO partner and NY EP Luis Ribeiro explained, “Loic, an invaluable member of our team long before my tenure at LOBO NY, possesses an unmatched understanding of our body of work. His unwavering passion and dedication have rightfully earned him this well-deserved promotion.”

  • Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023
Andrew Speyer joins Erich and Kallman as chief strategy officer
Andrew Speyer
NEW YORK -- 

Erich and Kallman has appointed Andrew Speyer as chief strategy officer. Speyer joins the independent agency after several years as a strategic consultant, advising early-stage, high-growth brands on internal culture and implementing consumer data to drive business.  In his new role as a member of Erich and Kallman’s executive leadership team, Speyer takes on responsibilities which include overseeing strategy practice across all departments. 

“We believe in strategy as a key component of great creative, but also in keeping it simple and connected to the work and clients’ goals,” said Eric Kallman, founder and chief creative officer, Erich and Kallman. “Andrew gets that balance, and wants to help us keep making great work that delivers great results.”

Speyer was an Erich and Kallman agency client twice before joining the agency: on Landing.com, the technology platform that offers flexible, deposit-free home rentals in 200 markets, and as a consultant on Lucid Motors, a start-up luxury automotive company. Given his deep background in start-ups, he also brings an innovative viewpoint to agency leadership. Speyer will report to Kallman and Steven Erich, founder and president.

“I have known Erich and Kallman for a long time, as a client and as a consultant, and I have known from day one that I would love to work alongside them, in house. This move was a long time coming, and I am really excited to get started with the team and their clients!” said Speyer.

Speyer began his career at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, working on the agency’s historic “Truth” anti-tobacco campaign. Born and raised in Spain, he led strategy on Ford’s U.S. Hispanic advertising for seven years and BMW’s for two. At Erich and Kallman, his multicultural background promises to contribute a fresh perspective. 

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Latin American studies from the University of Miami. Since 2007, he has been an instructor at Miami Ad School.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023
Editor Edward Line joins Uppercut
Edward Line
LOS ANGELES -- 

Postproduction house Uppercut has added editor Edward Line to its roster. With an expansive and diverse body of work spanning commercials, music videos, comedy, and narrative films, Line joins Uppercut for U.S. representation. He had most recently been with Exile.

Line began his editing career in London, where he developed his craft at Final Cut before moving to Los Angeles in 2016. Since then, Line has cut commercial work for Nissan, Gatorade, Covergirl, Google, Facebook and Mountain Dew. He has collaborated with directors including Traktor, Craig Gillespie, F. Gary Gray, Fredrik Bond, and Los Perez.  Line also prides himself on cutting socially committed advertising campaigns for Ancestry, illuminating America’s diverse ancestral history; Sephora, celebrating transgender and non-binary communities; and Color of Change, which highlighted the importance of the 2020 U.S. elections.

Line first made a name for himself as a music video editor with work for Usher, Sia, Nick Cave, DJ Snake & Justin Bieber, and Rudimental.  Also an adept narrative editor, his short films have been recognized at international film festivals, including Wale which went on to be shortlisted at the Academy Awards and nominated for a BAFTA.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023
Myriad takes on two creative directors
Spike Hoban
RALEIGH, NC -- 

Myriad--a Raleigh-based video agency specializing in creating commercial video content and original films--has upped Max Zampieri, an integral part of its creative team since July 2020, to creative director for Myriad Originals. His track record includes producing work for brands such as Vans, Apple, Qualcomm, IBM and pop-rock group OK Go. 

Additionally Spike Hoban is set to assume the role of creative director for Myriad where he will be spearhead a team of creatives in the development of commercial content. Hoban has lent his creative prowess to brands like UNCSA, Carola Performing Arts, IBM, Lenovo and Epic Games.

Hoban stated, “I am focused on fostering the creation of impactful work. I’m ensuring that our creatives have the resources and support they need. If you work with Myriad, our goal is for you to produce the best work of your career.”

Zampieri shared, “I’ll be focusing on forging our own path. I envision us crafting a process where we’re not just reacting, but actively reaching out, approaching brands and streaming platforms with our ideas, especially in the branded content space. It’s about creating content that we’re passionate about and believe in and getting paid for it.”

  • Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023
SixTwentySix hires Jonny Edwards as head of production & EP
Jonny Edwards
LOS ANGELES -- 

SixTwentySix has appointed Jonny Edwards as its head of production and executive producer. 

A veteran of the creative industry, Edwards served for three years as director of production at branding agency Herman-Scheer, and for nine years as executive producer at 72andSunny + Hecho Studios. His career path also includes four years as an associate producer at RSA Films/Ridley Scott Creative Group, two years of freelancing in the commercial sector, and involvement in reality television. Drawing from his extensive experience in agencies and studios, Edwards will play a pivotal role in shaping creative studio SixTwentySix’s overarching strategy across its business divisions and will report directly to company co-founders Jake Krask and Austin Barbera.

Edwards said, “I’ve had my eyes on SixTwentySix for the past few years. They’ve been somewhat under the radar but have been churning out incredible content. Now that I’ve had a chance to get to know Austin and Jake on a deeper level, it all makes sense. They have amazing drive and determination in creating world-class content. The creatives they have curated are insanely talented and are the future of content creation. I’m excited to partner with them to help drive innovative ways of creating content, elevating the client and agency experience, and driving overall continued growth for the company.”

Throughout his career, Edwards has worked with leading directors such as Jake Scott, Paul Feig, DJ Caruso, and RJ Cutler to name only a few, contributing to a portfolio that boasts a roster of work for clients that include Google, Starbucks, Coors Light, Smirnoff, Best Buy, Carl’s Jr., Activision and Adobe. 

SixTwentySix has created award-winning and culture-defining work for clients including Squarespace, BP, Chevy, Samsung, Bumble, Xbox, Adidas, Turo, Postmates, PetSmart, Wendy’s, and Coca-Cola along with award-winning agencies and partners such as Virtue, Mother LA, Maximum Effort, Commonwealth//McCann, YARD NYC, and TBWA\Chiat\Day.

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