Director Federico Brugia is coming aboard bicoastal Partizan for exclusive spot representation in the U.S….Director Baker Smith is leaving Santa Monica-based Tate & Partners to form his own company, Harvest, effective March 15. All of Smith’s jobs submitted prior to this date will be produced per usual at Tate & Partners. Both Smith and Tate & Partners’ executive producer David Tate described their parting as amicable, noting that they’ve enjoyed a 10-year run together and will continue to maintain their friendship. Smith wanted to try to go out on his own, while Tate & Partners now looks to broaden its directorial roster, particularly in the comedy arena….Director Brian Belefant has exited bicoastal Bedford Falls and is launching his own production company with executive producer Janet Ferrari. Based in Southern California, the partners have yet to secure office space, but are about to embark under the tentative banner Belefant on their first assignment: a job for Oral B via Lowe Lintas & Partners, New York…. Crossroads Films, bicoastal and Chicago, has brought on Bingham Ray as a full partner to launch a feature film production division. A veteran of the independent filmmaking community, Ray hopes to develop a feature slate which will call for 12 to 15 films over the next five years, with a diverse range of budgets ($3 million-$5 million, $6 million-$8 million, $10 million-$15 million). Ray will work with Crossroads to bring in new directors for commercials, and to develop feature opportunities for Crossroads’ spot helmers….Jump Ship Studios, San Francisco, has added editor Ingrid Wilhite, a former freelancer whose last staff position was at now defunct Good Pictures….Chicago-based Steve Ford Music has opened a Hispanic spot division, Periquito Music, under the aegis of composer/producer Alejandro Valencia….Composer Gil Talmi has joined Santa Monica-based music/sound design house Ear to Ear….
