Havas Media Group has launched Havas Market, a strategic full-service eCommerce offering. Jess Richards, EVP managing director, commerce, will lead it in North America; previously, she served as Havas Media’s head of social, growing the division’s North America’s practice by more than 350% over the past five years. Comprised of eCommerce experts worldwide, Havas Market will give brands within and beyond the retail sector strategic counsel around how to identify the right customers, where to retail, how to show up in retailers’ marketplaces (e.g. Target, Amazon, Walmart), and more. The approach will be guided by Havas Media’s unique Mx process that uses connection, context and content to create the most meaningful experience for a consumer. To pull from expertise across markets, Richards and team have created an advisory board, called the Commerce Accelerator Group, comprised of rising stars across the U.S. This accelerator group will help drive thought leadership and identify new ways to help brands rethink customer relationships…..
Cambridge, U.K.-based studio Vine FX has promoted two of its supervisors. Pedrom Dadgostar is now head of 3D and Ezequiel Villanueva head of 2D. An experienced 3D supervisor, Dadgostar began his career at Bandito VFX before a three-year stint at MPC Advertising where he worked on a selection of high-profile and award winning commercials including Ridley Scott’s “Hennessy: The Seven Worlds” and Channel 4’s 2018 trailer for The Great British Bake Off. Since joining Vine, Dadgostar has been instrumental in the growth of the 3D department, producing work most recently for War of the Worlds, season 1. With 12 years of VFX experience, Villanueva has spent time at both MPC and Double Negative, where he built up a credit list including The Lion King, Mad Max: Fury Road and Wonder Woman. He is currently leading Vine FX’s 2D team on the upcoming eight-part series, The Serpent, co-produced between BBC One and Netflix….
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More