McCann New York has promoted Daniel Rodriguez to executive creative director, and Lauren McCrindle and Erin Wendel to group creative directors.
Rodriguez is an 18-year veteran of the shop, having worked his way up the ranks starting as an art director in 2000. As ECD, Rodriguez will continue to co-manage multiple accounts with his creative partner, Larry Platt. Some of Rodriguez’s recent work includes “The TV Doctors of America” for Cigna, recognized this year at Cannes International Festival of Creativity and The One Show, and “Comin’ Home” for Nespresso featuring George Clooney. His work has also been recognized by the Webby Awards, London International Awards, Epica Awards, Cresta Awards, New York Festivals and Effie Awards.
Wendel and McCrindle have been upped to group creative directors after nearly two years as creative directors at McCann NY. The creative duo teamed up in their native Canada 13 years ago, and have worked on U.S., European and global accounts spanning everything from chocolate and video games to diapers and laundry detergent. Their work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, CLIO Awards, London International Awards, Communication Arts Annual, The Andy Awards and The One Show. Before coming to McCann New York, Wendel and McCrindle worked together at McCann Toronto.
Rodriguez, McCrindle and Wendel will continue to work closely with Tom Murphy and Sean Bryan, co-chief creative officers, McCann NY.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More