Eleanor, the production house under the aegis of president Sophie Gold, has brought director Danielle Calodney aboard its roster for U.S. representation. Already Calodney and Eleanor have teamed on a series of short, character-driven, social-first comedy films for HomeGoods out of agency Mindshare. Part of the “Back to Campus” creative campaign, the films follow the dorm adventures of “HomeGoods State University” students, navigating roommate conflicts, dating mishaps and decorating showdowns with a playful tone. Set within the stylish world of Gen Z dorm life, “Back to Campus” reflects Calodney’s comedic acumen.
Calodney’s comedy chops are also evident in her work for brands like Twix, Meta, American Airlines, and Caribous Coffee. Her distinct flavor of observational comedy is rooted in the nuances of the human condition and her characters’ lovable personalities.
Calodney–who prior to joining Eleanor was most recently repped in the U.S. by ArtClass–brings experience which spans broadcast, branded content, and vertical storytelling. The sharp wit and fast pace of her TikTok series for Caribou Coffee about dating elevates the style of social media reality shows wildly popular among Gen Z and Millennials. The authenticity and high stakes of young singles on real dates won global audiences over. This TikTok-first campaign delivered over 740M media impressions, a 170% sales lift, and a 99.9% positive sentiment with young audiences.
The first part of the aforementioned HomeGoods campaign went online this week. From the use of household items to “spill the tea” about the dorms’ complicated romances to the discovery of a juicy betrayal among friends all due to a blanket, every visual story unfolds a narrative arc, seamlessly weaving brand storytelling.
Of her new roost, Calodney said, “No one is doing it like Sophie Gold and the team. I’m obsessed with the artistry of Eleanor. The elegance. You can tell it’s a company where the art really does come first. Working with them on this first project for HomeGoods was a breath of fresh air. I felt very looked after, and I know the client felt very looked after too.”
Eleanor’s Gold observed, “Degas once said that ‘art is not what you see, but what you make others see.’ There’s something in Danielle’s comedy that exemplifies that sentiment. Her work represents exactly the intention-filled humor that audiences are craving on every platform, that is the future of advertising. I know we will be an unstoppable force.”
