President, Chief Creative Officer
Red Tettemer O’Connell + Partners (RTO+P)
1) In 2019 advertising’s version of Where The Wild Things Are continued. Horrible teeth gnashed and horrible roars roared in the fight between what’s more important, Data or Storytelling. Also, advertising continued its transformation into something more like entertainment. Or profiling. Or hypnosis. Or a carnival ride.
3) Two of our proudest moments pushed into untracked territory for both our agency and one courageous client. We launched a new product born out of the pop lexicon. Dietz Nuts – the world’s first meat nuts – was written about as one of the best Super Bowl spots, despite the fact that we didn’t purchase a national spot in the game. Also, for Dietz & Watson we developed a fashion line of over 80 unique pieces of apparel and accessories and launched it in a 2400 sq. ft. eye-candy-filled retail experience. In the process we did what every agency has to do these days – learned new skills. Fashion trends. Flow rates. Merchandizing. Sourcing. Pay systems. Permitting. Etc., etc., etc.
5) For 2020, we’re predicting a slow pendulum swing back toward making hearts pound over testing and analyzing the soul out of ideas. To help that happen, good agencies will hone their ability to turn data into plotlines and character development that people care to invite into their lives. Bring on the new decade.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More