Random/ Order Information and Entertainment, the Culver City-based convergent media and spot production company, has acquired an 80 percent stake in editorial and design house ARTiFACT, Santa Monica. The remaining 20 percent is retained by ARTiFACT’s five partners: CEO/creative director/editor Steve Armstrong; COO/creative director/ editor Christopher Willoughby; president/executive producer Michael Waters; senior producer Leah Welsh; and senior editor Walt Louie.
Per the deal, the ARTiFACT principals gain an equity share in Random/Order, a company under the aegis of chairman/ CEO Stuart Gross and president/COO Tory Hazard. Armstrong becomes a member of the Random/ Order board. Hazard sits on the board of ARTiFACT.
The lineup of officers is set for the Visual Effects Society’s (VES) 2025 Board of Directors. The officers, who comprise the VES Board Executive Committee, were elected at the January 2025 Board meeting. The Officers include Kim Davidson, who was re-elected Board chair, and is the first Board member from outside the United States to hold this role since the Society’s inception.
“It is my privilege to serve as chair of our worldwide community of visual effects artists and innovators,” said Davidson. “Since I joined the Society 18 years ago, I have seen the VES grow from a California-based organization to a global society with 16 regional Sections and members in more than 50 countries. As the first chair elected from outside the U.S., I am representative of our thriving globalization, and I look forward to further championing our expansion worldwide. The leadership on our Board brings enormous commitment, expertise and enthusiasm to their volunteer service and I’m excited about what we can achieve, together.”
“Our Society is fortunate to have strong leadership represented on our Executive Committee,” said Nancy Ward, VES executive director. “I am honored to work alongside these exceptional, dedicated professionals, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to further advance the Society’s global initiatives and impact.”
The 2025 officers of the VES Board of Directors are:
--Chair: Kim Davidson
--1st Vice Chair: Susan O’Neal
--2nd Vice Chair: David Tanaka, VES
--Secretary: Rita Cahill
--Treasurer: Jeffrey A. Okun, VES
Kim Davidson, Chair
Davidson is the president and CEO of SideFX®, a company he co-founded in 1987. SideFX is... Read More
