Director Scott Weintrob–whose Walkers’ “Tweet To Eat” for AMV BBDO, London, earlier this year won a Cannes Bronze Lion in the Social for Mobile competition–has joined Los Angeles-based Wondros for U.S. representation. He had formerly been handled in the American ad market by ACNE. Weintrob continues to be repped in the U.K. by ACNE, London, the production house behind the Walkers project which also garnered honors at D&AD as well as three Creative Circle Awards. Weintrob’s work in commercials spans such brands as Hyundai, Lenovo, Cadillac, Volvo and Acura.
In addition to his spot work, Weintrob made a documentary on artist David LaChapelle as well as a fashion film highlighting Oscar winner Kim Basinger. The LaChapelle documentary provides an intimate look into the artistry of the photographer, and the Basinger short focuses on the depths of knowledge one gains from parenting and raising a child. Both projects were produced for Flaunt Magazine. Weintrob has also worked with such noted actors and artists as Terry Richardson, Macklemore, Snoop and Rick Ross and Lil Wayne.
Weintrob just completed shooting a feature documentary on the global phenomenon of streetwear with designer Bobby Hundreds that will release in 2016. The film follows the independent voice and message behind a series of brands and features interviews from celebrated names including Tommy Hilfiger and ASAP Rocky. Further filmed entertainment projects include directing four seasons of automotive series Top Gear for the BBC. Weintrob’s work was featured in the highest ever rated seasons of Top Gear and played in more than 200 countries.
Anne-Marie Mackay, chief creative officer of Wondros, said of Weintrob, “His extraordinary car work coupled with his proven skill as a documentary director makes him an exciting choice for Wondros.”
Google Opens Its Defense In Antitrust Case Alleging Monopoly Over Online Ad Technology
Google opened its defense against allegations that it holds an illegal monopoly on online advertising technology Friday with witness testimony saying the industry is vastly more complex and competitive than portrayed by the federal government.
"The industry has been exceptionally fluid over the last 18 years," said Scott Sheffer, a vice president for global partnerships at Google, the company's first witness at its antitrust trial in federal court in Alexandria.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states contend that Google built and maintained an illegal monopoly over the technology that facilitates the buying and selling of online ads seen by consumers.
Google counters that the government's case improperly focuses on a narrow type of online ads — essentially the rectangular ones that appear on the top and on the right-hand side of a webpage. In its opening statement, Google's lawyers said the Supreme Court has warned judges against taking action when dealing with rapidly emerging technology like what Sheffer described because of the risk of error or unintended consequences.
Google says defining the market so narrowly ignores the competition it faces from social media companies, Amazon, streaming TV providers and others who offer advertisers the means to reach online consumers.
Justice Department lawyers called witnesses to testify for two weeks before resting their case Friday afternoon, detailing the ways that automated ad exchanges conduct auctions in a matter of milliseconds to determine which ads are placed in front of which consumers and how much they cost.
The department contends the auctions are finessed in subtle ways that benefit Google to the exclusion of would-be competitors and in ways that prevent... Read More