Bicoastal Coppos Films has finalized its first formal reciprocal partnership with a European production house. The newly struck deal links Coppos and Errecerre, a shop that maintains offices in Barcelona and Madrid. Per the arrangement, Coppos’ directors gain representation in Spain, while Errecerre’s helmers pick up a stateside sales force. Additionally, the Coppos studio realizes full production support in Spain and throughout much of Europe via Errecerre, which conversely can access Coppos’ U.S. spotmaking infrastructure and resources.
Coppos VP/executive producer Michael Appel and managing director/East Joanne Ferraro characterized the Errecerre relationship as helping to achieve several targeted goals. Beyond European representation and international production support, Coppos secures directorial talent new to the American market. Errecerre’s lineup of directors consists of Daniel Benmayor, Xavier Rossello, Sergi Capellas and Fernando Mainguyague.
Ferraro noted that Benmayor studied at New York University, and is fluent in English. She assessed that he might be the initial Errecerre helmer to transition to U.S. spot work, citing his prowess in storytelling, humor and automotive advertising. Benmayor is also contemplating relocating to the U.S. at some point, according to Ferraro, who additionally cited Rossello, Capellas and Mainguyague as English-speaking storytellers whose work should translate well into the American ad mix. Rossello is also well known in the European fashion ad genre.
Coppos Films’ roster features the directing duo Coppos/Lee (Mark Coppos and Virginia Lee), as well as helmers Brian Aldrich, Scott Gillen, Gary Johns, Tom Schiller and Shawn Driscoll. Ferraro recalled that it was comedy director Schiller’s signing (SHOOT, 10/27/00, p. 7) that served as a catalyst for the Errecerre contingent entering into a dialogue with Coppos Films.
"Errecerre was very much interested in Schiller," said Ferraro. "When he joined us, [Errecerre] executive producer Gemma Barea called me. We talked, got to know one another, and Michael [Appel] and I did some research on the company, finding it to be among Europe’s most respected houses, with a reputation of producing top work."
Appel noted that the Errecerre name is "internationally recognized" and that the partnership with the Spain-headquartered shop "provides us with the logistical foundation that we need in order to make our directors easily available to international advertising clients." Additionally he observed that it’s become increasingly important for a U.S. house to have a strong European production presence, so that the advantages of shooting overseas can be readily provided to American agencies and clients.
Barea found the Coppos studio to be very much simpatico with Errecerre, adding: "We believe this is the right moment to partner with Coppos, because Errecerre is already well established in Spain. It is a good time for us to expand abroad."
Coppos Films’ domestic sales force comprises East Coast rep Victoria Venantini, reps Jill Reehl and Noelle Whitfield in the Midwest—except for Detroit, which is handled by Ron Hoffman—and Vicky Miller, who covers the West Coast and Texas. The sales team reports directly to Ferraro.
