Rowley Samuel has come aboard Energy BBDO, Chicago, as head of integrated production. In this role, Samuel will define, drive and integrate production across every format, including film, digital and print. He previously served as director, creative integration at DDB Chicago, where he produced integrated concepts for McDonald's, Reebok, State Farm, Budweiser and AT&T…Nexus Productions has signed director Ben Hibon for commercials worldwide. Among his latest endeavors prior to hooking up with Nexus was directing and designing a three-minute animation sequence for the latest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, which premieres worldwide this week. The sequence was produced in collaboration with Framestore….Deutsch NY has hired Katherine Moncrief as director of creative talent. In this role, she will be responsible for seeking out creative talent, as well as managing creative services and staffing on projects and accounts. Moncrief's industry experience includes brand and account management for top tier brands, and overseeing design and direction of fully integrated marketing efforts. Prior to joining Deutsch, Moncrief was head of creative talent at The Talent Business, serving as lead creative recruiter for the global recruiting firm. During her advertising career, Moncrief has worked at agencies in New York and London, including Mother, Anomaly and Euro RSCG London. Her extensive background includes working in brand and account management roles, with major global brands including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, LVMH, and Coors Brewing Company….Rick Cornett has joined Tribal DDB New York as associate creative director. He was most recently at IMC2 and has also worked at Anomaly, Deep Focus, FCB, Romeo Empire Design, and Digital Pulp….
Actor Steve Guttenberg Returns To L.A. Neighborhood Now Charred By Devastating Wildfire
Steve Guttenberg awoke Thursday morning to a grim reality: The treacherous wildfire that tore through the Pacific Palisades had left his once-lush neighborhood charred and unrecognizable.
With homes smoldered, streets emptied and friends scattered by evacuation orders, Guttenberg counted himself among the fortunate. His property was miraculously spared. But the actor-producer still struggled to reconcile his relief with the haunting sight of his ravaged, once lavish community.
"Just this morning, I woke up and I was really conscious of my mental state and my mental health, because the last three days, I've seen so much tragedy," said Guttenberg, pacing through the ruins of his neighborhood. He said his home has electricity but no running water.
Guttenberg thanked God that his block was safe, but he said about 20 homes were burned "pretty bad" in his 80-home community after wind-whipped fires tore across Los Angeles, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled as the fires burned uncontained Wednesday. He said the fires are the worst he's ever seen in his 66-years.
The wildfires have burned the homes of several celebrities including Billy Crystal, Carey Elwes and Paris Hilton.
Guttenberg said he never expected all of this to happen.
"It's like when someone dies suddenly," he said. "It's like when someone gets hit by a car. You never expect that to happen. That's how shocking it was."
During Guttenberg's stroll, it was an eerie scene with scorched palm trees, homes reduced to ash and rubble, and the daytime skies casted an ominous twilight over the devastation.
"I've seen people scared, people in wheelchairs, mothers and fathers trying to find their kids, people having anxiety and panic... Read More