• Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022
Ntropic adds Josh Hamilton as West Coast EP
Josh Hamilton
LOS ANGELES -- 

Ntropic has added Josh Hamilton as executive producer--West Coast. 

Hamilton has spent his career leading productions for creative studios and brands, including The Mill, GoPro and Tool of North America where he worked on integrated campaigns for BMW, Facebook, Landrover, Adidas and Royal Caribbean. Most recently at RPA, he helped reshape its in-house content studio Helium into a creative solution for clients like Farmers Insurance, Apts.com, Southwest Airlines and Honda. Working with Honda for “Project Courage”, Hamilton led production on a campaign to create an electric ride-in vehicle for child patients, allowing them to drive within the Children’s Health of Orange County hospital.

Now at Ntropic, Hamilton’s responsibilities will include managing and growing the studio’s business on the West Coast, applying his wealth of integrated production expertise with the goal of empowering clients and the entire Ntropic network in their mission to make engaging content.

“Josh simply gets the business in a way that’s uncommon, even among other top-tier executive producers,” said Ntropic founder/CCO Nate Robinson. “The speed of evolution in the content industry doesn’t scare him because he has a varied toolkit that includes digital, augmented reality, VR, live action, mixed reality and VFX. But more than that, he understands the ingredients of a great brand partnership and how to maintain an integrated production that can efficiently leverage our L.A., SF, NY, Europe and Asia offices toward seamless collaboration. That alone makes him an invaluable part of our plans to grow our West Coast business.”

Hamilton added, “Leading the west coast production team will allow me to get back to my roots, working with different types of media and on more integrated and experiential projects. But I also look forward to devising even more innovative production methods and working directly with clients and our team to bring great ideas to life. As clients look to explore new frontiers, creative companies will have to maintain a high standard of storytelling and content creation while embracing new and evolving tools and platforms. Ntropic has those capabilities and more.” 

Hamilton has already made his presence felt, supporting recent successful projects for longtime client supersonic jet innovator Boom. 

“Ntropic has been in Los Angeles for more than 15 years, but never has there been more opportunity to make a bigger impact in this market,” said Hamilton. “At Ntropic, we can offer solutions that go beyond typical live action, broadcast or social content, helping our clients forge new creative paths that result in more effective brand storytelling.”

  • Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022
Kyle Cody joins Harbor as creative director
Kyle Cody
NEW YORK -- 

Multi award-winning VFX talent Kyle Cody has joined Harbor as creative director.

Cody has a track record of spotting and nurturing new talent, as well as managing a team of more than 50 artists during his time with The Mill and Gravity.

Cody has collaborated with filmmakers such as Peter Thwaites, Nicolai Fuglsig, Matthijs van Heijningen, Wayne McClammy, Lance Acord, Mark Zibert, Markus Walter, Johnny Green and Lady Gaga. Brands Cody has worked with include Samsung, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, Johnnie Walker, PlayStation, Mountain Dew, Schick and Coca-Cola.

Career highlights for Cody include The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Carol, Crazy Stupid Love, Tower Heist and Arthur. His accolades include a Cannes Gold Lion, Cannes Silver Lion, Bronze Clio, VES, AICE and D&AD award wins.

 

  • Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2022
Preymaker hires Julian Fitzpatrick, Will Mok
Julian Fitzpatrick
NEW YORK -- 

Creative and technology studio Preymaker--currently enjoying a successful film festival run with original short film BLUE which is one of the first created in the cloud using Unreal Engine’s real-time technology--has brought Julian Fitzpatrick and Will Mok aboard its growing team. Fitzpatrick is a Primetime Emmy-nominated visual effects artist agile across multiple disciplines, while Mok brings over a decade’s worth of experience in visual effects, color and live-action production. 

Preymaker chief creative Angus Kneale said. “Julian has a wealth of experience and brings exceptional creative and technical skills with him. He has already contributed to some highly complex projects at Preymaker, including the recently completed Prime The Rings of Power: See Where It Takes You promo for Kathryn Bigelow. I am also thrilled to be working with Will again! He brings great experience to the team at Preymaker and I have no doubt that he is going to excel in his new position.” 

Fitzpatrick, who worked previously at Blur Studio, Zoic, MPC and Arsenal Creative, among others, has led many teams of CG artists in varied mediums, including film, previs, television, advertising and game cinematics. He’s adept at everything from pitching to on-set supervision and execution of complex CGI projects. He was among the Emmy-nominated team for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for sci-fi series Falling Skies (2013) and oversaw a massive, multi-disciplined CG team spanning three countries for Sony Interactive Entertainment’s cinematic trailer for The Last of Us Part II (2020). His commercial highlights include campaigns for Amazon, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Infinity, Mini, BMW and PlayStation. He also created, directed and produced two short sci-fi thrillers, Vengeance and Ironman vs. Warmachine

“Preymaker is a pioneer in the media and entertainment Industry,” Fitzpatrick commented. “They are revolutionizing how artists are completing the work desired, from using the latest in technology to understanding work-life balance. When speaking with Angus, I could instantly tell what his vision for the company was. He wants to empower his team and leadership to give them the ability to create groundbreaking work.”

Mok joins the Preymaker production team most recently from Ntropic, where he set up the studio’s color pipeline and launched the color division. Prior to that, he was at The Mill as a senior bidding producer and producer of VFX and content working closely with Preymaker co-founders Verity Grantham and Melanie Wickham who describe him as “intuitive and personable, lateral and able to prioritize delivery of the best possible creative.” 

“I was impressed with the team Mel, Verity and Angus put together,” Mok said. “While we moved through the pandemic, it was clear to me I wanted to join a company that was progressive in its use of technology and support of its people. Preymaker stood out as something very different. It is a company which invites collaboration across all disciplines. Preymaker is a place where I know I can help shape an environment for people to grow and feel supported creatively.”

Fitzpatrick added, “Through the use of Preymaker’s cloud, we are able to work from anywhere in the world, and come together to collaborate. How amazing is that! Preymaker is making a dream become reality. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”

Preymaker works in linear content, along with interactive immersive media and Metaverse. Additional content includes commercials, branded entertainment and original short films. Preymaker recently released the trailer for BLUE, an animated short film which was brought to life by artists around the world collaborating virtually. The film is taking the festival circuit by storm with its latest wins at Los Angeles Independent Shorts and London International Web & Short Film Festival.

  • Monday, Sep. 26, 2022
Aki Spicer named chief strategy officer at Cashmere
Aki Spicer
LOS ANGELES -- 

Cashmere has hired veteran thought leader and strategist Aki Spicer, as its chief strategy officer.  In this newly created role, Spicer will be charged with driving the agency's strategic campaigns and initiatives while capitalizing on current growth of existing client relationships, as well as spearheading the course for future partners. He will report to Cashmere president and chief creative officer Ryan Ford. 

Spicer’s appointment comes at a critical time of growth for Cashmere, as the demand for the agency's unique foundation of culture & community skyrockets. In 2021, the agency was named the world’s first Culture Agency by Taco Bell and this past year became the creative agency for Amazon Music’s Hip Hop team, the Social AOR for STARZ, and the Culture PR AOR for Michelob. 

Spicer joins Cashmere from Leo Burnett, Chicago, where as chief strategy officer, he helped update the strategic approach for brand, digital, and data integration. There, he introduced innovative forays in AI, Web3, and multicultural intelligence for brands like Samsung, Kelloggs, Jim Beam, Bank of America, Messenger, US Cellular, and more.  Spicer also co-led a strategic resource and accelerator for all the creative agencies across Publicis – to operationalize 'general market' teams that are increasingly challenged with how to become more culturally-fluent in an era of an increasingly-diverse mass market.

Spicer exits Leo Burnett which was recently recognized as “2022 Agency of the Year” at One Show, ADC and Clios, “Best in Show” at One Show, Addy, Communication Arts and AICP, Titanium and Grand Prix at Cannes, as well as a wealth of gold, silver and bronze strategy and effectiveness awards across 2022 Effies (incl 2nd Most Effective Agency Network – Leo Burnett Worldwide), WARC Awards for Effectiveness, ARF Ogilvy Awards for Research, and Jay Chiat Strategy Awards.

Spicer is currently an advisor and jury chair for the NYFestivals’ AME Awards first-ever Equality category. He actively co-chairs the Cultural Collective committee with ANA AIMM (Alliance for Inclusive Multicultural Marketing) where he has recently shaped industry guidance on “embedding inclusive norms into the creative process end-to-end,” and also serves as a Trustee for Advertising Research Foundation (ARF).

Prior to Leo Burnett, Spicer served as chief strategy officer and chief digital officer of TBWA/Chiat/Day NYC, and director of digital strategy at Fallon Worldwide spanning a career servicing clients like Nissan, Hilton, Adidas, Apple, GM, H&R Block and McDonald's.

 

 

  • Friday, Sep. 23, 2022
Significant Others adds Alyssa St. Vincent as exec producer
Alyssa St. Vincent
NEW YORK -- 

Creative studio Significant Others (SO) has added Alyssa St. Vincent as executive producer, one of four new hires for the creative studio spanning its offices in New York and Los Angeles. Additionally, SO has made a key promotion in NY.

St. Vincent will join and lead SO’s creative and production departments in NY and L.A.

An industry veteran, St. Vincent began her career at Propaganda Films, and she has since worked for companies including Los York, Taylor James/Smoke & Mirrors, Eight VFX, Strange & Wonderful, and most recently Nomad, for clients including BMW, Rolex, Mountain Dew, Nike, AT&T, Apple, Google, and National Geographic. St. Vincent has worked on projects which have received numerous accolades; she even helped a little-known French hardware company land a Cannes Lion. 

SO has also brought Irka Seng aboard its NY team as director of production. Seng got her start in media for advertising agencies before moving into production with a pivotal opportunity at R/GA. She’s since worked for Blue Sky Studios, BUCK, The Mill, Psyop, and Method Studios, among others, producing branded content and commercials, and working on features in various capacities, including a VFX coordinator on Fight Club and Jesus’ Son, an associate production manager in varying departments on the Ice Age franchise, and coordinator on the Academy Award-winning short Bunny. Seng’s commercial clients include Verizon, Nike, Samsung, Squarespace, Spotify, Google, and Johnson & Johnson. 

In L.A., Julia Johnson joins as head of production. Johnson initially pursued a career in the field of cinematography before finding her way to boutique content studio General Population. There, she fell in love with the narrative challenges the branded arena provided, and the seemingly infinite creative possibilities VFX could offer. She has since produced stylistically diverse projects, including blockbuster feature film titles, viral music videos, and many short-form narrative and documentary projects. As HOP of the LA office, she hopes to “expand the bicoastal presence of SO and showcase the unique offerings of our roster of talent in design and animation.” 

Also in L.A., Phil Apostol joins as VFX supervisor. Apostol began his career interning and freelancing in various motion graphics roles in the Midwest before attending a postgraduate course at the University of Kent in the U.K. Upon his return, he moved to L.A. and was hired at Therapy Studios in 2017. He is proficient in various VFX techniques and software such as Flame, Nuke, and After Effects. Apostol has worked on projects for artists like Dave Grohl, Justin Bieber, and Demi Lovato; gaming franchises such as Call Of Duty (Modern Warfare, Vanguard, and Warzone); documentary features and series, shorts, and commercial work for TripAdvisor, Burger King, Starbucks, Wild Turkey, Barbie, Uber, and Netflix. 

Additionally SO has promoted Dirk Greene from creative director to executive creative director in the New York office. British-born Greene is a visual effects mainstay. He helped launch The Mill New York and opened Absolute Post’s New York visual effects facility. He created the VFX for acclaimed spots for Samsung, Levis, Nike, Adidas, Sony, BMW, and Guinness, plus numerous Super Bowl hits for FedEx, Snickers, Verizon, Budweiser, and the NFL. Greene also worked on the VFX for Barry Jenkins’ Oscar winning films Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk. Greene has garnered many awards, including Clios and Cannes Lions for The New York Times’ The Truth is Worth It campaign, and The White Stripes “The Hardest Button to Button,” which was also nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects.

  • Thursday, Sep. 22, 2022
TBWA fortifies global talent team with pair of promotions
Rhonda George-Denniston (l) and Monica Torres
NEW YORK -- 

TBWA\Worldwide has promoted Rhonda George-Denniston to chief learning and development officer and Monica Torres to executive director, global recruiting.

Both are new roles for the company and signal TBWA’s commitment to attracting, growing and retaining the world’s best creative talent by offering an employee experience that places a premium on learning, development and growth. 

As chief learning and development officer, George-Dennison leads TBWA’s talent development strategy, ensuring key talent is retained and thriving throughout their careers. Focusing on a systematic and interactive learning approach, she will advocate for individual growth plans, while leading TBWA’s signature learning and development programs, which span the full career lifecycle from entry level to the C-suite. 

Since joining TBWA in 2001, George-Dennison has risen the ranks at TBWA, bringing years of experience and knowledge to TBWA and the people across the collective. In the last year, to create greater access to learning and development, she spearheaded the launch of TBWA\U--the company’s open-access learning platform--which is open to all and enables anyone to take control of their own career journey.

“Rhonda’s mission is to help people be their best selves,” said Amie Miller, chief talent officer, TBWA\Worldwide. “Her energy, entrepreneurialism and ability to truly listen and foster a deep sense of connection have been invaluable to the people of our collective always, but especially over the past two and a half years. She continues to innovate and to tirelessly advocate for our people. At a time when people want different things out of their work experience and have changing aspirations, having Rhonda at the helm is even more critical.”

George-Denniston added, “Over the years we have meticulously crafted a portfolio of development initiatives for our people. Today, it’s a new frontier in preparing our pirates to be future-ready; it’s challenging, it’s exciting, and I’m looking forward to working with my team, our leadership team and members of our collective to continue the work of expanding growth opportunities for our people to be life-long learners, thriving personally and professionally at TBWA.”

Torres joined TBWA\Chiat\Day NY in 2017 to lead the agency’s recruitment efforts. She has been integral in leading the agency’s effort to make the recruitment processes more objective by conducting extensive interviewer training and changing the company’s interview process to reduce bias in hiring.

In her new global role, she will lead TBWA’s high priority global searches, support global client talent needs, and lead the agency’s strategy for global talent mobility, ensuring the best talent can grow in the collective by having access to open roles across markets, disciplines and geographies. 

“Monica understands the dynamics of an agency, clients and brands, and what makes for highly effective and fulfilled teams,” added Miller. “One of her gifts is to look outside of the conventional path to find talent in a parallel but different industry who would thrive in our creative organization. She understands what motivates people, and her rigor, positivity and dedication is unparalleled.”

Earlier this year, TBWA’s proprietary Future of Creative Work research found that compared with the general employee benchmark, the industry’s creative talent are significantly less likely to be satisfied with their work/life balance (55%, compared to a 64% global benchmark), and more likely to feel burned out or discouraged. George-Denniston and Torres will work with Miller, along with the collective’s talent leads and executive leadership, to drive the company’s employee experience agenda to meet the needs of modern talent.

  • Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2022
Los York hires Gosha Kuznetsov as head of design
Gosha Kuznetsov
LOS ANGELES -- 

Gosha Kuznetsov has joined multidisciplinary creative studio Los York as head of design. 

Kuznetsov has cut his teeth at Method Studios, Man Vs. Machine as well as most recently at BUCK.  He has worked on campaigns for Apple, Facebook, Lexus, Oreo, Campbell’s Soup, IBM, and many other global brands. 

“Beyond talent, we love Gosha’s energy, personality, warmth, and commitment to do the best work in the world,” says Los York Founder Seth Epstein. “He’s inspired and inspiring - the perfect leader to spearhead the future of design at Los York.” 

  • Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2022
Team One appoints Renee Welch and Cliff Adams to strategy leadership roles 
Renee Welch (l) and Cliff Adams
LOS ANGELES -- 

Team One, Publicis Groupe’s fully integrated media, digital and communications agency for premium brands, has named Renee Welch and Cliff Adams as management directors, strategy. Welch is new to the agency, while Adams has served as group strategy director. Both individuals will report to Mark Miller, Team One’s chief strategy officer.

This move signals Team One’s investment in its strategy team to steer the importance of culture and contextual insights to help its clients lead with confidence. Welch will oversee strategic planning for clients, including Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, RedBubble, and Northern Trust, as well as work on internal agency cultural initiatives, including the Global Affluent Tribe Study (GAT), while Adams will continue his work across the Lexus and LDA accounts.

“Renee and Cliff are holistic problem solvers. They understand the important relationship between culture, context, consumers, and creativity. Equally as important, they are outstanding mentors who will inspire original thinking across the team,” said Miller. “Our agency has a strong internal culture centered around being collaborative, optimistic, team-oriented, and entrepreneurial. Both Renee and Cliff embody those characteristics and will help nurture the next generation of strategists.” 

As a skilled strategist over the past 20 years, Welch is a strong leader who has helped nurture many successful strategists. She also has worked at top agencies including RPA, Ogilvy, David&Goliath, 72andSunny, and for brands like Barbie, Honda, and more. Throughout her career, Welch has long been an advocate of mental health. She is currently developing The Happy Places--a business centered on restoring rare boats and creating restorative charter experiences--where a portion of the proceeds will go to support mental health initiatives. In addition, Welch is a proud member of Think LA and International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Welch said, “I’m excited to work with people who go beyond the obvious to uncover the deeper truths of their agency’s brands. Team One’s commitment to agency culture is another draw. I love mentoring future leaders, that’s what gets me up in the morning.”

A boomerang employee, Adams started his career in advertising at Team One as a jr. strategic planner, before spending eight years at The Martin Agency working across clients like BFGoodrich, Walmart, and Experian. Adams made his way back to Team One in 2017.

Adams said, “Brands today need insights that are more human and magnetic, especially for those that operate in competitive consumer markets across the globe. I’m excited to continue to create work that goes beyond the expected and makes people feel seen and inspired.”

  • Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2022
Alex Jenkins, Deborah Casswell named ECDs at Nexus Studios' immersive department
Alex Jenkins (l) and Deborah Casswell
LONDON & LOS ANGELES -- 

Nexus Studios has appointed Alex Jenkins and Deborah Casswell as executive creative directors of its immersive department.  

Jenkins and Casswell will have oversight of creative across the company’s immersive output in London and Los Angeles. The studio, alongside its film, TV and branded content fare, is known for innovative work creating award-winning experiences for the likes of Google, Marvel, Niantic and creative collaborations including Childish Gambino, CERN and artist JR.

During her time as creative director at Nexus Studios, Casswell has collaborated with leading brands. Projects include a storytelling installation at the World Economic Forum celebrating the positive ways Google Cloud AI is being used to serve communities, a poignant game for UNICEF designed to teach children about their human rights, and a meaningful Metaverse for VR that is still in the works. She will continue to lead R&D projects in eyewear and the Metaverse that explore ways to bring true value to people’s lives. Prior to joining Nexus Studios, Casswell was creative director at Media Arts Lab. She is also a founding partner of the ADCAN awards, and an experienced speaker in the creative circle championing immersive technology for purpose-driven content.

Jenkins’ passion for interactive storytelling ensures he places the protagonist and their motivations at the center of every experience, whether that be character or user. Bringing an exceptional level of craft and detail to every brief he meets, he takes a holistic approach to projects ensuring every experience has meaning and contextual value. His work is always carefully considered and informed by his multidisciplinary background in graphic design, illustration and character animation. During his time at Nexus he has led some of our most pioneering interactive pieces, including the BAFTA-nominated collaboration with Google Arts & Culture telling the story of the birth and evolution of the universe, delivered Marvel’s first AR experience for The Eternals, creating a regenerating coral reef to highlight the plight of the world’s oceans and turning a UNESCO world-heritage site into a virtual playground where visitors interact with members of the Joseon Dynasty. Jenkins has also received industry recognition from Cannes Lions, The One Show, The Webby’s and The Art Directors Club, amongst others. 

Chris O’Reilly, co-founder and chief creative officer of Nexus Studios, said, “In Alex and Deborah we’ve found two creative minds who combine a passion for great conceptual thinking and thoughtful, quality design. They are incredibly knowledgeable in interaction and immersive tech but they want to make the work that moves beyond novelty and emotionally changes people. That’s very much in keeping with Nexus’ ethos and the previous work we are most proud of. We’re excited to have their incredible combined energy and brilliance to guide the immersive team.”

  • Friday, Sep. 9, 2022
Kristen Bedard Johnson partners up at Sanctuary Content
Preston Lee (l) and Kristen Bedard Johnson
LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK -- 

Kristen Bedard Johnson has been promoted to partner at Sanctuary Content. Sharing the mantle with founder and managing director Preston Lee, Bedard Johnson has served as the production company’s Brooklyn-based executive producer since January of 2019. Lee operates out of Sanctuary Content’s L.A. headquarters.

Bedard Johnson and Lee recalled a conversation they had early on in what evolved into their relationship at Sanctuary. She shared, “I remember telling Preston upfront, ‘I’m going to share a few things about myself and if there are any red flags we can shake hands, finish our coffee, and call it a day. I’m a mom with two young kids, I have a point of view, I don’t have much of a filter, and my values are important to me.” Lee responded, “That sounds great!” During the contract negotiation that followed, Lee told Bedard Johnson, “And in three years, I hope you tell me, ‘It’s time we’re partners.’”

Throughout that span of time, Sanctuary has earned assorted awards, including AICP’s Advertising Excellence honor. The company’s roster is also rapidly expanding with new talent, as seen with recent signings Aisha Ford, who jumped out of the gate directing the award-winning “As Early As Five” for Dove, and Goh Iromoto, who directed the powerful Procter & Gamble spot “The Name” for AAPI month.

Bedard Johnson said, “Since my first day at Sanctuary, Preston has treated me like a partner and equal. We constantly learn from our collective experience from each other. I’m incredibly proud of what we’re building.”

Lee remarked, “Sanctuary was always this utopian idea to create a work-life environment where everyone felt valued and respected: a safe place for smart, kind and compassionate people to come together. Kristen epitomizes that dream and, in so many ways, her arrival kickstarted the transition of Sanctuary to become the space that it was meant to be. I knew from the first meeting that she would be my partner. It was tough to keep a lid on that for three years, but so worth the wait.”

Sanctuary is actively pursuing phase two of Lee’s initial vision for the company as he builds the film division with several projects currently in development and production. Bedard Johnson will continue to manage and support the roster within the commercial and brand space with a focused eye on talent development, supported by the recent promotion of Noah Thomason to staff exec producer.

Thomason started his journey at Sanctuary first as a freelance production manager and has since supported the company in several roles as a producer, staff producer, head of production and now as EP.

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