Quriosity Productions has added director Federico Mazzarisi to its roster. The Italian visual stylist joins the company for national representation for commercials and brand content. The signing comes on the heels of his successful Lexus spot earlier this year done as a freelance director, and is timed to his next Quriosity project–a follow up spot for the car brand and its agency, IW Group, which is being produced later this month.
Mazzarisi has collaborated with such brands as Vogue, Nike, Puma, Alfa Romeo, Stella McCartney, BMW, Diesel, Vespa, Toyota and many more. He had most recently been directing independently prior to joining Quriosity. Earlier he was repped in the U.S. ad market by production company Great Guns.
“Fede brings an amazing new dimension to our creative capabilities,” said Quriosity founder and exec producer Qadree Holmes. “He’s a master visualist whose work reveals depth and emotion, regardless if he’s working in fashion or automotive. Adding him to our roster underscores our ability to work fluidly, and with a high level of taste, across any advertising genre or category.”
Mazzarisi’s work has been recognized with Cannes Lions, Ciclope and British Arrows honors. Earlier in his career he won recognition at both the Cannes Lions Young Directors Awards and the One Club’s Young Guns competition. Prior to launching his directing career, he studied at the European Institute of Design in Milan, and then relocated to London for additional work at the National Film and Television School.
“Our experience working with Fede on the Lexus job earlier this year [when the director was freelancing] was the textbook example of a great partnership,” said Quriosity EP Mark Conley. “He elevated the concept and brought a visual excitement to the script that not only propelled the narrative, but made the product the focal point of the action. The client was so pleased, they’ve brought him on for a repeat assignment, which in today’s competitive environment speaks volumes.”
Mazzarisi said working with Quriosity on the Lexus job paved the way for this new chapter in their relationship. “That was a truly exhilarating experience,” he noted. “The energy and passion of Mark and Qadree were truly inspiring, creating a deep and meaningful connection. This connection, based on trust and respect, is paramount when considering a partnership of this nature.”
Mazzarisi continued, “For me professionally, joining Quriosity means an expansion of my creative footprint in the U.S. I’m moving to Los Angeles, after years of working in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. My goal is to engage with U.S. creatives and infuse the ad market with a fresh, new perspective. And Mark and the Quriosity team possess a profound understanding of executional detail, consistently striving for exceptional outcomes. Our journey together is centered on growth, with a shared respect for my talents and a collective aspiration to elevate it to new heights. I’m excited about our prospects as we move forward.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs Is Arrested In NY After Federal Indictment
Sean "Diddy" Combs, the hip-hop mogul who has faced a stream of allegations by women accusing him of sexual assault, was arrested late Monday in New York after he was indicted by a federal grand jury.
The indictment was sealed and details of the charges weren't immediately announced by prosecutors, but the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Damian Williams, confirmed in a statement that federal agents had Combs in custody.
"We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time," Williams said in a statement.
Combs was arrested in a Manhattan hotel lobby, according to a person familiar with the arrest who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said Combs had been cooperating with the investigation and had relocated to New York last week in anticipation of charges being brought.
"We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office," Agnifilo said, describing his client as a music icon and a "loving family man."
"He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal," Agnifilo said in a statement, adding "Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court."
The criminal charges are a major but not unexpected takedown of one of the most prominent producers and most famous names in the history of hip-hop.
The federal investigation of Combs, 58, was revealed when Homeland Security Investigations agents served simultaneous search warrants and raided Combs' mansions in Los Angeles and Miami... Read More