Creative content company Chromista, with bases of operation in Los Angeles and New York, has added Ella Jones to its directorial roster. This is the first U.S. commercial representation for the award-winning film and television director from London.
Jones has co-created several series in development, including a sci-fi YA drama that won the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Award, and a comedy series with NBCUniversal. She is soon to begin as lead director on Sweetpea, a new episodic comedy-drama series for Sky in conjunction with See-Saw Productions. Jones’ short films have played at such international festivals as Aesthetica, Phoenix, LOCO, Cambridge and Encounters. She garnered Best Comedy Director at the Royal Television Society Craft Awards for season two work on BBC3’s comedy series Enterprice in 2020 and was nominated again the following year for her work on Back to Life. Jones’ recent television work includes Pandemonium for BBC1, season two of Back to Life for BBC/Showtime, and HBO’s comedy-horror episodic series The Baby.
A graduate from Cambridge University, Jones began her career as a professional actress and has also worked as a script editor on short films and series, including Hanna, David Farr’s episodic series for Amazon. She was mentored by BAFTA-winning director Becky Martin (Veep, Succession) through BFI Network’s BAFTA Crew initiative, and has also taken part in BFI Network@LFF and Berlinale Talents.
Adina Birnbaum, executive producer/new business development at Chromista, said, “Ella is a unique generational talent and an unstoppable creative force. She is meticulous in every choice she makes as a writer and filmmaker, reinforcing her singular vision. Ella’s voice has been missing in the commercial space, and I’m so excited to share her talent as writer and director with the U.S. market–specifically within comedy.”
Jones said of joining the Chromista family, “From the moment we met, I really connected with Adina and the rest of the team’s passion and commitment–both for creating brilliant content and also for nurturing emerging talent. I am very excited about beginning my journey into the US commercials world with their support and expertise.”
MSQ Acquires Creative Agency SPCSHP
Next generation independent creative, technology and media company MSQ has acquired New York-based creative agency SPCSHP. The acquisition more than doubles London-based MSQ’s presence in the U.S., increasing annual revenues in North America to $100MM and accelerating its ability to deliver agile, multi-disciplinary solutions that fuses together data, tech and creativity to build effective brand momentum for its clients. Terms of the SPCSHP deal were not disclosed.
MSQ’s ambitious international investment strategy to grow organically and through acquisition is backed by private equity groups One Equity Partners and LDC as it creates hubs of scale in North America, the UK and Europe.
Previously known as Big Spaceship, SPCSHP is an independent digital creative agency known for its innovative digital marketing strategies and solutions. With this acquisition, SPCSHP gains access to MSQ’s global network of best in class agencies, allowing it to provide a broader set of marketing solutions to its roster of Fortune 100 brands and better position itself for growth. Founder and chairman Michael Lebowitz and CEO Ranae Heuer will continue to lead SPCSHP as part of MSQ’s U.S. team, with SPCSHP’s 140 colleagues joining MSQ’s 1,200 colleagues operating across 13 global offices.
“SPCSHP is a shining light in the U.S., and its success is of huge credit to Michael, Ranae and the team. They have consistently delivered innovative creative work, executing integrated campaigns for their long-standing brand partners to a wide audience,” said MSQ global CEO Peter Reid. “The agency’s increasing scopes of work and recent wins are a testament to their value in the industry, and we’re delighted to have them as part of our group.”
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