HELO, a global production company noted for its multi-platform campaign work for brands such as Coors Light, Amazon, and Nissan, has made three senior hires.
Rena Kayrala joins as VP, global strategy & growth, with a seasoned history of managing business growth at companies such as Unit 9, Buck, and Park Village. Kayrala supported the launch of Vice Media in Spain, before moving to the U.K. where she developed her career as an award-winning executive producer, and business development specialist. Rena will be working with HELO founders Brendan Kiernan and Justin Moore-Lewy across global markets to identify creative opportunities and partnerships for the studio’s growing roster of commercial, film, and experiential marketing directors.
Piper Goodspeed joins as global head of client partnerships & experience. Piper’s career spans leading roles at Condé Nast, WIRED, The New Yorker, and ARS Technica.
Neil Evely joins as global head of innovation, responsible for continuing to build HELO’s moving experience offering for brand and agency clients. Evely will be focused on exploring the best applications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, allowing HELO’s directors to break new ground on what they can deliver for their creative partners. Evely joins from technology studio Superbright where he was head of business development, prior to which he worked at experience studio Rewind (now Magnopus UK) and The Mill. Evely has been working across new technological innovations such as VR, Software Design, Real-Time CGI, and AI for over a decade.
Moore-Lewy, founder and president of HELO, said, “The last couple of years have presented significant challenges for the experiential and production communities, but we’re now seeing a renewed appetite and enthusiasm for experiences that really bring people together in both the physical and virtual worlds. As we delve into a new realm of opportunities in the branded experience space, I believe we are well armed with a senior team that can help HELO, and our clients, create beautiful things in the coming year.”
HELO’s latest brand work includes the Cannes Lions and Clio-winning “Chillboards” campaign for Coors Light. In summer of 2023, the studio will be launching an auction of 10,000 NFTs to raise money for the citizens of Ukraine affected by the ongoing war.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More