By Robert Goldrich
SANTA MONICA—Executive producer Jonathon Ker, with extensive experience on both the production house and ad agency sides of the business, has teamed with Don Block and Rich Carter, executive producers at the longstanding GARTNER, to launch production company Tight. The new venture is a sister shop to GARTNER and opens with director Iain Mackenzie. At press time, Tight was moving into its own newly built space adjacent to GARTNER’s Santa Monica headquarters.
While Ker’s prime focus is Tight, he will be available to GARTNER as well. Similarly, Block and Carter figure to be involved in Tight’s development, with Ker taking the lead role on that front. "Management is so key in today’s marketplace," said Ker. "That’s largely what drew me here—the chance to work closely with Don and Rich, two people I respect, in shaping a company, its brand and directors’ careers."
Ker and Mackenzie have been together since last September, working informally under the a.proteii banner, which is part of Santa Monica-based hybrid agency/production house Amoeba. A.proteii will continue as the in-house production arm for Amoeba, but sans any staff directors. Meanwhile, Ker plans to remain active as a creative at Amoeba, collaborating with its founder and creative mainstay Len Fink.
Mackenzie and Ker have already proven to be a prolific pair; their most recent jobs at a.proteii included Lincoln Financial for Martin/Williams Advertising, Minneapolis, and Gatorade for Element 79 Partners, Chicago. The latter, titled "One World," is this week’s SHOOT "Top Spot" (see p. 12).
Currently in the market for other directors to complement Mackenzie, Ker said he envisions the Tight roster remaining "tight," meaning boutique-sized. "When a shop maintains a large number of directors, things become too unwieldy. I don’t see how you can pay the proper attention to building directors’ careers that way," he related.
Earlier in his career, Mackenzie—who’s come to be known for his narrative and visual prowess—was with now defunct Piper Productions and then Ritts/Hayden for U.S. representation. The latter shop was acquired by bicoastal HKM Productions in ’03 and briefly became Last Night … At HKM. After a short stint there, Mackenzie eventually hooked up with Ker.
KER
Meanwhile, Block sees Ker as positively impacting both Tight and GARTNER. "Being able to tap into someone of Jonathon’s experience is a great asset," remarked Block, citing as an example the directorial team of Chris Riess and Amy Hill, a.k.a. Riess/Hill, who signed with GARTNER earlier this year (SHOOT, 3/24, p. 1). Earlier in their careers, Riess/Hill worked closely with Ker at the since closed Palomar Pictures. "When Chris and Amy heard that Jonathon was becoming part of the family here, they were delighted to renew that relationship and to have the opportunity to again access him as a resource," said Block.
Ker has a track record for helping to develop directorial talent, first at the now defunct U.S. spot division of U.K.-headquartered Limelight, and then at Palomar, which he co-founded in ’92. Ker exited Palomar in ’02; the company closed nearly a year later (SHOOT, 3/14/03, p. 1). Prior to launching Limelight stateside in ’87, Ker was head of TV at ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, London.
After Palomar, Ker connected with Fink at Amoeba, where they have teamed on varied projects, including campaigns for Fandango, the advance remote movie-theater ticketing service that consumers can access via the Web and over the phone. "Clubbing," one of the commercials in last year’s Fandango campaign, earned SHOOT "Top Spot" recognition (7/4-17/03, p. 10). Fink and Ker were the creative team on "Clubbing," which was directed by Breck Eisner.
GARTNER’s spot directorial roster consists of James Gartner, Ray Dillman, Raymond Bark, Riess/Hill, Martin Canellakis and Michael Apted.
GARTNER and Tight have the same representation on both coasts: staff director of marketing Andrew Hall on the West Coast, and independent rep Phillip Alden of Claire.Alden Partners, New York, on the East Coast. The production houses have different indie representation in the Midwest, with David Wagner handling Tight, and Renee Case repping GARTNER.
Vellas Joins Anonymous Content Brazil To Develop Content and Advertising Slate
Brazilian director Vellas has joined Anonymous Content Brazil, Anonymous Content’s joint venture with an investment from Creative Artists Agency (CAA). In his new role, Vellas will work closely with the Anonymous Content Brazil team to develop advertising and content projects to bolster their growing content slate.
Vellas continues to be repped by various production companies in different territories, including PRETTYBIRD in the U.S. and U.K. markets.
Barbara Teixeira, CEO and executive producer at Anonymous Content Brazil, said, “Vellas’ arrival reinforces Anonymous’ proposition and the significant movement that the Brazilian operation is making. His creative vision and talent as a director are not limited to advertising, as he has also worked on various content projects. This move is a practical example of our business vision, where great ideas should be executed in their best format, whether it’s a 30-second commercial or a streaming series.”
Renata Dumont, Anonymous Content Brazil’s executive producer, added, “The value proposition of Anonymous Content Brazil is unique because it offers brands and agencies storytelling in any format, whether in advertising or entertainment. It is in the company’s DNA to operate in a structured and complementary way in both scenarios, and its work and awards reinforce this. We see in Vellas exactly the profile of a director with a portfolio and potential for work that shines in both advertising festivals and TV and film awards.”
Vellas said, “I have found at Anonymous not only a place where I will have the freedom to work on projects I truly believe in and identify with, whether in advertising or entertainment, but also the entire structure, international support, and some of... Read More