Oscar-nominated and multiple Cannes Lions Grand Prix-winning Nexus Studios, headquartered in London, has launched an office in Los Angeles headed by executive producers Luke Ritchie and Diego Rosner. Additionally Nexus co-founder Chris O’Reilly is currently based in L.A. and continues in his role as executive creative director across all studio output.
Ritchie has led the Interactive Arts team at Nexus for five-plus years, overseeing work across AR, VR, web, apps and live experiences for clients including President Obama’s administration, IBM, Apple and The New Yorker. Ritchie continues in this role across both the U.S. and U.K. locations.
Rosner joined Nexus earlier this year with a background in business development and production that spans brands as well as the entertainment and technology sectors. As EP for the Cannes Gold Lion-winning Bitt animation and VFX studio, Rosner oversaw work for brands and agencies including Y&R, Ford, BBDO, Google, The Guardian and The New York Times. Rosner also oversaw a 500-strong team on the Goya Award-winning animated feature film Metegol (Underdogs) directed by Academy Award winner Juan Jose Campanella. Rosner recently secured a series deal through Amazon Studios for the Emmy-winning Little Big Awesome.
Nexus is known for its animated film work including the Academy Award-nominated short This Way Up and branded content for the likes of Google, Honda, Headspace, Facebook, Chipotle and Apple. The studio won the Cannes Grand Prix for Honda Diesel’s “Grrr” from Wieden+Kennedy, London, in 2005, and two more Grand Prix honors in 2012 for Chipotle’s “Back to the Start” for Creative Artists Agency, Los Angeles.
Nexus’ reputation for innovation is championed by the Interactive Arts ensemble who uses new technology to bring crafted storytelling into experiential, interactive, VR and AR. Credits include a long-term collaboration with Google’s Made With Code, a series of projects that have enabled girls across America to code their own Snapchat Lens, as well as the White House holiday lights, and pattern dresses on the runway at New York Fashion Week. Nexus has used both its cinematic and interactive skillset to great effect in virtual reality, creating the two-time Annie Award-nominated VR experience Rain or Shine for Google’s Spotlight Stories. In augmented reality, Nexus’ extensive portfolio includes the 1600 app, an AR commission for President Obama’s office which told the story of the White House, and a recently BAFTA-nominated AR experience for The Gruffalo.
Seeking to further extend Nexus’ uniquely integrated offering, the new L.A. office will offer film and immersive work for advertising and branded content while also developing original IP in entertainment and digital products.
Nexus co-founder Charlotte Bavasso noted, “There’s a breadth of opportunity in L.A. across all kinds of storytelling which broadens the opportunity for us to do what we do best–create beautifully engaging stories and experiences wherever those end up being experienced. Our launch team includes key talent who understand this world and will work with our clients to facilitate a very joined up approach with our global roster of talent and 180-seat studio in London. We’re looking forward to being that much closer to some of our existing partners but also creating new opportunities to the benefit of clients and creative talent, wherever they are based.”
