Keith Reinhard, chairman, CEO of DDB Needham Worldwide Communications Group Inc., has been named the ’99 jury president for the Cannes International Advertising Festival. The Chicago-based Reinhard will be joined by Nina DiSesa, chairman, chief creative officer of McCann-Erickson Worldwide, New York, on the film jury, and by Bill Ludwig, vice-chairman, chief creative officer of Campbell-Ewald Advertising, Warren, Mich., on the press and poster jury.
Reinhard heads the largest agency network in the U.S. and the second largest in the world; with the worldwide network setting a record by winning 34 Lions at Cannes in ’98. In ’84, Reinhard gained election as the first American jury president by his colleagues on that Cannes jury.
Screenvision Cinema Network, the U.S. representative for the 46th Cannes International Ad Fest, announced the selection of Reinhard, DiSesa and Ludwig as well as the U.S. contingent set to serve on Cannes’ CyberLions, the interactive competition launched last year. Three prominent U.S. interactive executives have been chosen to serve on the ’99 CyberLions jury: Adam Heneghan, COO, Giant Step, Chicago; Jan Leth, executive creative director, Ogilvy Interactive Worldwide, New York; and Kyle Shannon, chief creative officer, Agency.com, New York.
In its inaugural year, the CyberLions competition generated more than 400 entries. Organizers anticipate an entry landslide that will far exceed that tally.
Also being introduced to the Cannes Ad Fest mix this year is a media competition to honor progressive, strategic media planning and thinking.
The ’99 Cannes International Advertising Festival will be held June 21 to 26. More than 7,000 delegates from around the world will be in attendance, with over 12,000 entries expected.
Director Jack Begert Joins Biscuit For His First Commercial Representation In U.S. & U.K.
Biscuit Filmworks has added filmmaker Jack Begert to its roster in the U.S. and U.K. This marks Begertโs first representation in advertising, building upon his acclaimed work in music video and film. He is best known for his striking aesthetic and surreal use of visual effects, displayed in his feature film debut Little Death, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars David Schwimmer, Gaby Hoffman, Dominic Fike, and Talia Ryder, and was produced by Darren Aronofsky.
Miami-born and L.A.-based, the USC Film School graduate began his career in VFX and as an editor. Begert has worked with iconic musical artists including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Olivia Rodrigo, and has independently directed international campaigns for brands such as Apple, Converse, New Era, and Reebok.
Shawn Lacy, founding partner of Biscuit Filmworks, said of Begert, โWe are such fans of his work--and of him as a creator, thinker, collaborator, and great guy.โ
โMy creative approach is often about trying to discover something unexpected in the filmmaking process,โ said Begert. โBiscuit is a place where I can bring my own perspective to the work and still feel supported. That philosophy is clear from the talent they represent, and Iโm excited to join their roster.โ
โJackโs work blew me away the moment I first saw it,โ said Rupert Reynolds-Maclean, managing director at Biscuit Filmworks UK. โHe is a modern young director who clearly cares deeply about both craft and the necessity for it in his storytelling. Everything always pushes the narrative forward. Weโre looking forward to making great work together.โ
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