U.S. ad spending will rise only two percent in 2008
U.S. ad spending will rise only two percent in 2008 as compared to the 3.7 percent gain predicted in December '07. That's the revised forecast from Magna Global's Robert Coen, senior VP/director of forecasting, when looking ahead to all of '08 when stacked up against the industry's performance in '07. The revision is particularly dismaying in that '08 is a Summer Olympics and a presidential election year, which normally translates into a major jump in ad spending. However, a seriously weakened economy triggered by the escalating cost of fuel and food, and the home mortgage crisis have put a major damper on prospects for '08….BBDO Atlanta has brought three key artisans on board: Chuck Meehan as senior creative director, Dana Xavier as director of digital operations and Vegard Soehus as research director. Additionally, design director Paul Huggett has been promoted to senior VP and Kyle Lewis has been upped from senior VP/creative director to exec creative director. Meehan comes over from GSD&M, Austin, Texas. Xavier had been at Atlanta agency 22 Squared. And Soehus' previously worked as a managing consultant at the Zyman Group and spent 10 years at The Coca-Cola Company where he helped to lead strategic planning and marketing science efforts across 35-plus countries in Europe and Asia….
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More