Alan Pafenbach, whose work includes the lauded Volkswagen “Drivers Wanted” campaign back when he was managing partner/executive creative director at Arnold Worldwide, Boston, is joining SapientNitro as a creative director in Boston. He comes aboard the Boston office on the heels of it winning all digital duties globally across Chrysler’s Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands.
Pafenbach will report to SapientNitro VP Eric Healy and will partner with fellow creative director Barry Fiske on overseeing creative for the Chrysler account.
Prior to SapientNitro, Pafenbach managed the global creative efforts for Yahoo! while at OgilvyOne New York. Before that, he worked as a Boston creative director at Goodby Silverstein & Partners, with responsibility for the Hewlett-Packard business. Earlier he led creative at Arnold Worldwide, serving as exec creative director on VW.
“I’ve gotten to know the SapientNitro team over the last couple of months, and they truly get where the market is headed,” Pafenbach said. “From TV advertising to online video to social–and all the technology in between–SapientNitro is ahead of the curve, as the world becomes increasingly digital and channels inter-connected. We’re going to deliver fresh ideas and business results to our clients, and hopefully win some awards in the process.”
SapientNitro Boston is hiring 17 people this spring, primarily creative and information-architect positions. SapientNitro was formed last year following Sapient’s acquisition of Nitro Group. Headquartered in Boston, SapientNitro works with many New England clients, including CVS, Liberty Mutual, PerkinElmer, Staples, and Talbots. SapientNitro was recently named to Unilever’s global digital roster and tapped as lead agency for Target’s new e-commerce platform.
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More