HOLLYWOOD-Shelly Townsend, former head of production at bicoastal RSA USA, will join bicoastal/international Propaganda Films as executive producer effective Jan. 18. Based out of Propaganda’s Hollywood quarters, she succeeds Andy Traines, who recently moved over to bicoastal Omaha Pictures (SHOOT, 12/11/98, p. 1).
Townsend has been a staffer at RSA USA for the past three and a half years. She came aboard the company as a production manager and was later promoted to head of production, a role in which she’s served for the past year. At press time, Townsend was wrapping up commitments at RSA. Her latest work there includes: Tom Dey-directed spots for MasterCard and USAir, both out of McCann-Erickson, New York; Marcus Nispel-helmed ads for Blockbuster Video via Doner, Southfield, Mich., and Burger King through Ammirati Puris Lintas, New York; and a David Dobkin-directed Twix commercial for DMB&B, St. Louis.
Townsend said she was drawn to Propaganda on several levels. She described her new roost as a magnet for "incredible creative talent," with a track record of excellent work. "The opportunity to take the next step in my career-advancing to executive producer-at such a company was simply too good to pass up." Townsend added that she also feels simpatico with Propaganda’s staffers, including head of commercial production Colin Hickson and exec. producer Roger Zorovich.
She credited Hickson with helping make Propaganda "more accessible and approachable" for clientele, citing his experience on both the agency and production house sides. (Prior to joining Propaganda last year, Hickson was head of production at London ad agency WCRS.) "Colin understands both halves of the business," related Townsend, "and he’s made Propaganda’s relationships with agencies and clients even stronger-that’s something I’m a great believer in, and it was a big reason behind my decision [to join the company]."
Townsend broke into the business in 1991 at now-defunct Harmony Pictures as an assistant to exec. producers Patricia Judice and Eric Scheffer. Townsend then was promoted to head of production at since-closed Velocity Film, a Harmony sister company, before joining RSA USA. Townsend said RSA USA was "a nurturing place where I learned a lot. … There just comes a time when you grow out of a position and you’re ready for the next challenge."
Hickson said the hiring of Townsend capped a long search. He cited her forward-thinking mindset, high energy level and extensive experience as fitting his profile for the position. Hickson noted that Propaganda’s commercial division remains in a growth mode and is currently in the process of securing additional directorial talent.
