Independent agency The Escape Pod has named several new executives to its leadership team. Derek Sherman has been appointed executive creative director, Tyler Moore is director of integrated strategy, and Holly Willis is VP account director.
Sherman, is a creative Director, writer and novelist who has led breakthrough integrated marketing campaigns for Apple, Corona, Google, Coca-Cola, Canadian Club, Miller Lite, Kellogg’s, Jim Beam, McDonald’s, Abbott Labs, Amnesty International and Sprite. His work has won multiple Gold and Silver Cannes Lions, D&AD pencils, Gold Effies, and the One Show.
Moore comes over from R/GA. He has worked on innovative campaigns for LIFEWTR, SVEDKA, Maytag, Sprint, Nike, and Corona Extra across digital, social and traditional. He has won multiple awards including an Epica creative award, multiple Webby Awards and a North American Effie.
Willis brings more than 10 years of experience on blue chip brands across CPG, spirits and beverage, entertainment, retail and electronics. Her expertise spans digital, shopper marketing and traditional brand-building campaigns. Most recently, she spent five years with FCB leading the Samsung Mobile & Services business, as well as agency marketing and new business efforts for the retail/activation division, FCB/RED. She has worked on brands including Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Target, Netflix, Kraft Foods (now Kraft Heinz), Mondelez International, Jack Daniels, Tyson Foods, GE Appliances and 21st Century Fox.
The new executives join Ryan Dickey, who assumed the post of creative director at the agency last year. Dickey is an award-winning 15+ year creative veteran who has created cross-channel, integrated advertising for a diverse range of brands including Apple, Google, Volkswagen, Sony PlayStation, Orbit and Purina. He cut his teeth at agencies including Leo Burnett, Deutsch and Energy BBDO.
Celia Jones is CEO of The Escape Pod while Norm Bilow serves as founder and managing director of The Escape Pod Group.
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More