The top 10 SHOOT stories that generated the most engagement (clicks to view) in 2025 included: Connelly Partners’ acquisition of ad agency McCarthy Mambro Bertino; a survey of major industry players about the past, present and future of the business–coverage that was part of a celebration marking SHOOT’s 65th year of publication; a preview installment of SHOOT’s The Road To Emmy Series, focused on Only Murders in the Building editors Shelly Westerman, ACE and Payton Koch; Road To Emmy Series coverage of Brilliant Minds director DeMane Davis; and a push by AICP to help in the economic recovery of Los Angeles after it was hit by devastating wildfires.
Topping the click tally for SHOOT in 2025 was the news that indie agency Connelly Partners (CP) acquired McCarthy Mambro Bertino (MMB), the Boston-based creative shop behind campaigns for Subway, Sam Adams and Toyota. Additionally David Register, longtime creative lead at MMB, joined CP as executive creative director.
Next up in second place of our rundown of most viewed stories in 2025 was the preview installment of SHOOT’s The Road To Emmy Series which focused on the collaborative bond between Only Murders in the Building editors Shelly Westerman, ACE and Payton Koch.
Third in our countdown was U.K. director Sye Allen joining the roster of Identity for U.S. representation, marking his official debut in the American market.
Finishing fourth in the most watched SHOOT story tally was The Guild of Music Supervisors announcing the top honorees for its 15th annual awards ceremony. Named the Icon Award recipient was Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, acclaimed for his songwriting in films such as Wicked, Godspell, Enchanted and the animated features Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Prince of Egypt. The Icon Award was created to celebrate those who have made legendary contributions to the music and film industry. And chosen as the recipient of the Legacy Award was music supervisor Bonnie Greenberg known for her work on films like My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Mask, and The Hunting Ground. The Legacy Award is bestowed to a music supervisor who has made an impact within the industry over the course of their career.
Taking fifth place was the second part of an industry survey conducted by SHOOT in celebration of a milestone, its 65th year of publication. SHOOT posed questions to a cross-section of the creative/production/post/music community, gaining multiple perspectives on the past, present and future. Among those sharing insights in this installment of the survey were: Joshua Blum, president/founder of Washington Square Films; Dustin Callif, president of Tool; Keith Cartwright, chief creative officer, CARTWRIGHT; Lisa Mehling, president of production house Chelsea; Kate Oppenheim, managing partner, m ss ng p eces; Danny Robinson, CEO of The Martin Agency; and Brian Yessian, partner/chief creative officer, Yessian Music.
Coming in as the sixth most clicked story was the Camp Kuleshov trailer competition for emerging creative artists in postproduction–a.k.a. Camp K–unveiling the winners of its Grand Prizes in the categories of Editing, Graphics, Sound Design and Music Score.
Seventh in the countdown was the launch of production company GREATERGOOD by executive producer Pedro Aragão de Oliveira. The new venture opened with a directorial roster consisting of Axl (Axl Laubscher), Camila Cornelsen, Cassiano Prado, Clay Born, David Charles Rodrigues, Felipe Gomez Aparicio, Gerard Montero, Ivan Jurado, La Niña, Miranda May, and Sega.
Ending up eighth in our click count for 2025 was an installment of SHOOT’s The Road To Emmy Series centered on director DeMane Davis and her work on the NBC series Brilliant Minds.
Nestling in ninth place was news of director Mikko Lehtinen joining The Board of Directors for exclusive U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content.
And rounding out our to 10 countdown was coverage of a statement issued by AICP president and CEO Matt Miller addressing the wildfires in Los Angeles and how the industry can help this key production market. He implored ad agencies, clients and production companies to think first of L.A. as a lensing location, aiding in the economic recovery for the region and preserving a hub of major resources essential to the health of the overall commercialmaking industry.
Here’s a countdown of SHOOT’s most engaing stories of 2025 (click headline to view):
1. Connelly Partners Acquires McCarthy Mambro Bertino; MMB’s David Register Joins CP As ECD
2. Editors Shelly Westerman and Payton Koch Share A Special Bond On “Only Murders in the Building”
3. Identity Signs Director Sye Allen For U.S. Representation
4. Stephen Schwartz, Bonnie Greenberg to receive major honors at Guild of Music Supervisors Awards
5. SHOOT’s 65th Anniversary Reflections: Then, Now and Looking Ahead, Part 2
6. Camp Kuleshov Grand Prize Winners Unveiled In Editing, Graphics, Sound Design and Music Score
7. Pedro Aragão de Oliveira Launches Production House GREATERGOOD
8. Director/Executive Producer DeMane Davis Delves Into “Brilliant Minds”
9. Mikko Lehtinen Joins The Board Of Directors For Commercials and Branded Content
10. AICP’s Matt Miller Looks To Build Support For Production In L.A. After Devastating Wildfires
11. Editor Robert Komatsu Teams With Writers-Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck To Tell “Freaky Tales”
13. Director Arrested On Charges Of Swindling Netflix Out Of $11 Million
14. NAB Show unveils 2025 Product of the Year and Project of the Year Awards winners
15. Singaporean Director Clare Chong Joins Contagious For U.S. Spot Representation
16. Conan O’Brien Accepts Mark Twain Prize As Politics Roils The Kennedy Center
17. Monday Morning Quarterbacking: Agency Creatives Assess Super Bowl Commercials
18. Director Neels Castillon Shares His Immersive Filmmaking “Odyssey”
19. Tim LeGallo Named Chief Production Officer Of Ogilvy North America
20. NAACP Lists Brands That Have Pulled Back From DEI In Its Tactical Spending Guide For Black Americans
21. Where Is Artificial Intelligence Going In 2025? Insights From PwC’s Chief AI Officer
22. Director Sophia Banks Joins Quriosity Productions
23. Diane Warren Enjoys “The Journey”–Through Life, Music and The Oscars
24. SHOOT’s 65th Anniversary Reflections: AICP President and CEO Matt Miller
