Bicoastal ONE TWENTY NINE FILMS is now representing acclaimed tabletop director Irv Blitz for commercials and other advertising projects. Blitz is one of the industry’s iconic tabletop cinematographers. His list of clients includes Anheuser Busch, Burger King, Bacardi, Diamond Nuts, Coca Cola, Nature Valley, Miller Coors, Taco Bell, KFC, Knorr, Olive Garden, Simply Juices, Popeyes, SPAM, and Pizza Hut. Blitz has also recently done work for Samsung and Moen–via production house MJZ which like ONE TWENTY NINE FILMS reps him non-exclusively. Blitz is thus taking a page from Europe where select directors have relationships with more than a single production company.
“Irv is an incredibly skilled craftsman who uses impeccable design, exquisite lighting and graceful choreography to turn food photography into works of art,” said ONE TWENTY NINE FILMS executive producer Nicholas Seuser.
Blitz practices a hand-crafted approach to tabletop. He insists on working with authentic materials, capturing everything in-camera. “My approach is that everything has to be real,” he said.
A native of Baltimore, Blitz began his career in New York City as a still life photographer before transitioning to film. Blitz recently established a studio in the Los Angeles Arts District. Blitz continues to expand his visual style as he incorporates new technologies and camera techniques. His macro camerawork transforms the familiar into objects of fascination and desire. Blitz frequently incorporates hand-held camera work to capture imagery in an intimate, unrehearsed style.
“Great advertising has a broad appeal,” Blitz observed. “When I take on a project, I begin by asking, ‘What can I do to make the visuals emotionally relatable?’ I see art in everything and it’s important to create imagery that’s full of life.”
Blitz sees his relationship with ONE TWENTY NINE FILMS as an opportunity to form relationships with new agencies and brands.
MSQ Acquires Creative Agency SPCSHP
Next generation independent creative, technology and media company MSQ has acquired New York-based creative agency SPCSHP. The acquisition more than doubles London-based MSQ’s presence in the U.S., increasing annual revenues in North America to $100MM and accelerating its ability to deliver agile, multi-disciplinary solutions that fuses together data, tech and creativity to build effective brand momentum for its clients. Terms of the SPCSHP deal were not disclosed.
MSQ’s ambitious international investment strategy to grow organically and through acquisition is backed by private equity groups One Equity Partners and LDC as it creates hubs of scale in North America, the UK and Europe.
Previously known as Big Spaceship, SPCSHP is an independent digital creative agency known for its innovative digital marketing strategies and solutions. With this acquisition, SPCSHP gains access to MSQ’s global network of best in class agencies, allowing it to provide a broader set of marketing solutions to its roster of Fortune 100 brands and better position itself for growth. Founder and chairman Michael Lebowitz and CEO Ranae Heuer will continue to lead SPCSHP as part of MSQ’s U.S. team, with SPCSHP’s 140 colleagues joining MSQ’s 1,200 colleagues operating across 13 global offices.
“SPCSHP is a shining light in the U.S., and its success is of huge credit to Michael, Ranae and the team. They have consistently delivered innovative creative work, executing integrated campaigns for their long-standing brand partners to a wide audience,” said MSQ global CEO Peter Reid. “The agency’s increasing scopes of work and recent wins are a testament to their value in the industry, and we’re delighted to have them as part of our group.”
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