After nearly five decades in the advertising industry, Chicago-based Midwest rep David Wagner has retired. He has been responsible for contributing to the careers of assorted directors and is credited on some of the most successful campaigns in the region since the 1980s. Among the many colleagues he mentored is Sam Sloma who grew up in the small town of Fremont, Ohio, and at a young age met Wagner. Sloma recalled that Wagner would come into town every so often from Chicago, along with his wife, a childhood friend of Sloma’s mom. Sloma said that Wagner was “engaging, curious, energetic, smart; he became my standard for success in the big world outside of Fremont. He guided me into film and communications, and throughout college sent me DVDs of commercials and short films to review–ALWAYS asking questions and explaining why he found something interesting. Upon graduation, I moved to Chicago the following day to begin interning for David. We would go on to spend the next 12 years working together, eventually forming David&Sam in 2019 where we worked as partners until his retirement. I never became David Wagner, but David Wagner made me the professional I am today,” affirmed Sloma. “Proud to call him my mentor, my partner, and my friend.” In the wake of Wagner’s retirement, Sloma has founded Known Associates, which handles Midwest representation for RESET, ProdCo, Supply&Demand, Farm League, World War Seven, Exile, and Mosaic. In an online post, Wagner related, “I am so immensely proud to have Sam Sloma carry things forward and start his own new chapter as Known Associates. It is well deserved and overdue.” Looking back on his career, Wagner shared, “Thank you to all the incredible directors that I have been able to represent! And the EPs and company owners that gave me the opportunity to represent their production companies.” Wagner added, “I was so lucky to have been given a book early in life, ‘The Success System that Never Fails’ by W. Clement Stone. I carried that book in my backpack, and then briefcase for 20 years. I still think of it often as a path to create character and strength in the most difficult of times. As I gratefully sail off into the sunset (quite literally) I am off to new adventures and challenges!”…
Street Talk for December 12, 2025
Havas has acquired Kaimera, an independent media agency. This strategic move strengthens Havas Media Network’s footprint in Australia and New Zealand, adding scale and specialist capabilities while accelerating the deployment of Converged.AI, Havas’ group-wide AI-driven, data-powered strategy and operating system. Kaimera will join the organization under Havas Media Network and operate as “Kaimera, a Havas Company.” Founded in 2016, Kaimera has grown into a 50+ strong agency with offices in Sydney and Melbourne and team members in Auckland. Known for crafting straightforward, customized solutions that deliver measurable results, Kaimera brings deep expertise and a strong reputation that will reinforce Havas’ dynamic and ambitious ANZ business plan focused on growth, entrepreneurial investment, and excellence for clients. Kaimera’s clients include Nando’s, Scape, IMB bank, Afterpay and BritBox. By integrating Kaimera’s proven expertise and entrepreneurial culture into Havas Media Network, this acquisition enhances Havas’ ability to converge creativity, media, and technology into one powerful offering. Kaimera’s management team, led by founders Nick Behr and Trent McMillan, will report to James Wright, group CEO of Havas ANZ, and will initially remain in their current offices in Surry Hills, Sydney, and South Melbourne, Melbourne. With Kaimera joining the group, Havas ANZ takes its headcount to over 450 staff locally....
Atlanta-headquartered indie agency Ammunition is expanding into Europe with the opening of a London office headed by Renaye Edwards who joins as managing director, Ammunition Europe, and global chief operating officer. Edwards is best known for founding... Read More