Director Jeff Labbé, who first gained industry recognition as an agency creative, has joined bicoastal/international @radical. media. Labbé exited his post as a senior VP/creative director at Leo Burnett USA, Chicago, last year to pursue a directorial career. He has since independently helmed several notable projects; @radical becomes his first formal production company roost….South African director Peter Pohorsky—who is partnered with producer Di Hellman under the Plank banner in Cape Town—has joined the roster of Mechaniks, Venice, Calif., for U.S. representation. Mechaniks is a satellite of Venice-based Cucoloris….FM Rocks, Santa Monica, has signed director Marcus Raboy for exclusive music video representation. Raboy will also be repped for spots by FM Rocks’ sister shop Boondoggle…..Hispanic ad agency La Agencia de Orci & Associados, headquartered in Los Angeles, is opening a New York office, which will be headed up by Jaime Ramirez, VP/general manager of New York operations….The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival has recast the Titanium Lion—introduced in 2003 to reward groundbreaking and innovative concepts—as an integrated campaign award. The Titanium Lion will honor work that uses at least three distinct communication channels, including traditional and nontraditional outlets. A 10-person jury will select the honors, including a Grand Prix….
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More